[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 25, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 24575-24576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10099]


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                         Presidential Documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 25, 2012 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 24575]]

                Proclamation 8801 of April 20, 2012

                
National Park Week, 2012

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                When President Theodore Roosevelt first took office 
                over a century ago, he embarked on a tour of the 
                American West that would change his life and the life 
                of our Nation forever. He traveled from Yellowstone's 
                geysers, to Yosemite's granite cliffs, to Dakota's 
                Badlands, ever moved by the natural wonders of which he 
                and all Americans were proud inheritors. As he explored 
                wild country, he heard a call to preserve our country's 
                heritage that echoed throughout our forests and river 
                valleys. He remarked of the Grand Canyon, ``the ages 
                have been at work on it, and man can only mar it.''

                From that sense of commitment sprang five National 
                Parks, 18 National Monuments, 51 Federal bird 
                reservations, and 150 National Forests. From that 
                commitment sprang an effort to save the great Redwoods 
                of California and the Petrified Forest of Arizona, the 
                great bird rocks of the Aleutian Islands and the 
                Tongass of Alaska. President Roosevelt inspired a 
                breathtaking legacy of conservation that has forever 
                enriched our lives, and in the decades since his 
                historic journey, millions have worked to build on his 
                enduring mission. When the fate of our lands and waters 
                has been cast into doubt, they have taken the long 
                view--that as Americans and as inhabitants of this one 
                small planet, it is up to us to preserve our national 
                heritage for our children, grandchildren, and for the 
                generations to come.

                That spirit drives my Administration today. Since I 
                took office, we have set aside more than 2 million 
                acres of Federal wilderness and thousands of miles of 
                trails and rivers under the Omnibus Public Land 
                Management Act. Last November, I was proud to establish 
                the Fort Monroe National Monument, forever enshrining a 
                site of profound historical and cultural significance. 
                Today, I designated Fort Ord as a National Monument 
                that will not only protect one of the crown jewels of 
                California's coast--a world-class destination for 
                hikers, mountain bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts--but 
                also honor the heroism and dedication of men and women 
                who served our Nation during the major conflicts of the 
                20th century. And with the America's Great Outdoors 
                Initiative, we continue to advance a smarter, more 
                community-driven conservation and recreation strategy. 
                We are partnering with cities and States to make it 
                easier for families to spend time outside no matter 
                where they live, and we are working to create jobs, 
                boost rural economies, and increase tourism by 
                enhancing public lands that draw travelers from across 
                the globe. To celebrate National Park Week, all 397 
                National Parks will offer free admission from April 21 
                through April 29, 2012. I encourage every American to 
                visit www.NPS.gov to find a nearby park and discover 
                the land passed down to us by our forebears.

                President Franklin Delano Roosevelt told us ``There is 
                nothing so American as our National Parks.'' This week, 
                we honor the uniquely American idea behind them: that 
                each of us has an equal share in the land around us, 
                and an equal responsibility to protect it. That call to 
                conserve has echoed for generations--from Jefferson, to 
                Lincoln, to Roosevelt, to all who have done their part 
                to protect the land that they love. It is the call we 
                hear

[[Page 24576]]

                today, and as we come together to celebrate our 
                national heritage, let us reaffirm our promise to 
                preserve America's treasures for the generations yet to 
                come.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim April 21 through 
                April 29, 2012, as National Park Week. I encourage all 
                Americans to visit their national parks and be reminded 
                of these unique blessings we share as a Nation.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth. 
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2012-10099
Filed 4-24-12; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F2-P