[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 202 (Wednesday, October 19, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 72477-72478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25484]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 202 / Wednesday, October 19, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 72477]]


                Proclamation 9524 of October 14, 2016

                
National Forest Products Week, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Filtering the air we breathe and the water we drink, 
                and providing the habitats that are home to diverse 
                species of fish and wildlife, forests are an essential 
                part of our planet. Across America, they offer a wide 
                range of cultural and recreational activities that have 
                sustained and entertained people since long before our 
                Nation's founding. Today, forests provide products we 
                use each day, including paper, wood, and building and 
                packaging materials. During National Forest Products 
                Week, we express our appreciation for the incredible 
                bounty forests provide and we renew our commitment to 
                ensuring the next generation can enjoy their 
                irreplaceable resources.

                Our forests are at increasing risk from catastrophic 
                wildfires, erosion, drought, and climate change. That 
                is why my Administration is working alongside State and 
                local leaders, landowners, and businesses to develop 
                solutions to preserve our forests--because we must 
                respond to challenges that threaten these important 
                spaces. America's forests play an important role in 
                addressing climate change by absorbing carbon 
                pollution. It is critical that we protect and restore 
                our forests, and through the Climate Action Plan, 
                Federal agencies are coming together to strengthen the 
                resilience of our forests and enhance their ability to 
                absorb even more carbon pollution.

                The health and well-being of our forests and our 
                communities go hand in hand. With the Department of 
                Agriculture, we are working to strengthen markets for 
                forest products. By allocating millions of dollars to 
                help expand technologies that encourage the use of wood 
                in innovative ways, we are also striving to improve 
                forest health and generate rural jobs. And we are 
                exploring ways to help forestland owners respond to 
                climate change--earlier this year, we released a 
                roadmap for implementing key building blocks to achieve 
                this goal, such as private forest growth and retention, 
                stewardship of Federal forests, and promotion of wood 
                products.

                Forests generate billions of dollars in economic 
                growth, sustaining local economies and enhancing 
                communities across our country. We rely on them in so 
                many aspects of our national life, and throughout this 
                week, we must continue working to protect the precious 
                resources our forests hold so they can continue 
                enriching our world and supporting our way of life.

                To recognize the importance of products from our 
                forests, the Congress, by Public Law 86-753 (36 U.S.C. 
                123), as amended, has designated the week beginning on 
                the third Sunday in October of each year as ``National 
                Forest Products Week'' and has authorized and requested 
                the President to issue a proclamation in observance of 
                this week.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 16 
                through October 22, 2016, as National Forest Products 
                Week. I call on the people of the United States to join 
                me in recognizing the dedicated individuals who are 
                responsible for the stewardship of our forests and for 
                the preservation, management, and use of these precious 
                natural resources for the benefit of the American 
                people.

[[Page 72478]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fourteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and forty-first.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2016-25484
Filed 10-18-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F7-P