[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 76 (Thursday, April 22, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 21161-21162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08547]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 76 / Thursday, April 22, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 21161]]


                Proclamation 10184 of April 17, 2021

                
National Park Week, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The renowned environmentalist and author, Rachel 
                Carson, wrote in her seminal book Silent Spring that, 
                ``Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find 
                reserves of strength that will endure as long as life 
                lasts. There is something healing in the repeated 
                refrains of nature--the assurance that dawn comes after 
                night, and spring after winter.'' Nowhere is the truth 
                of her observation more evident than in America's 
                national parks, which are irreplaceable treasures that 
                amaze us, inspire us, fill us with pride, and belong to 
                all of us in equal measure.

                Even while maintaining social distancing and wearing 
                masks to protect themselves and one another, 237 
                million people visited our national parks last year to 
                enjoy these singular wonders of our Nation. Every visit 
                leaves an indelible impression--due not only to the 
                natural splendor of each park, but to the dedicated 
                stewardship of the Department of the Interior and 
                National Park Service.

                I will never forget one of my own such visits, which 
                has long shaped my personal reverence for our national 
                parks. In 1972, after my wife and daughter were killed 
                in a car accident, my two young sons, Beau and Hunter, 
                were hospitalized for an extended period. As they 
                recovered, they became enamored of the idea of visiting 
                Yellowstone--thanks in large part to a favorite TV 
                show, Yogi Bear, which was set in a fictionalized 
                version of America's first national park. In the summer 
                of 1974, my boys and I flew into Salt Lake City, rented 
                a camper, drove up through Dinosaur National Park and 
                arrived for a week at Yellowstone. Our time there 
                nourished us, filled us with awe, and restored in all 
                of us a sense of the future that had been quieted by 
                our loss. As I saw my sons reengage with the world 
                after enduring so much pain, and felt our family begin 
                to heal, I came to understand the truth of Rachel 
                Carson's words--the power and promise of these 
                extraordinary places to replenish something within us.

                That power touches every American lucky enough to visit 
                our national parks in some way, and it is our 
                responsibility to ensure that our national parks 
                reflect, honor, and serve all of our people and every 
                community. Recent additions to the National Park 
                System, such as the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home 
                National Monument, the Reconstruction Era National 
                Historical Park, the Stonewall National Monument, and 
                the Cesar Chavez National Monument at the Chavez 
                Residence in Delano, California--along with programs 
                such as the African American Civil Rights Network, 
                Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, and Tribal 
                Heritage grants--reflect our commitment for our parks 
                to serve as sources of support, validation, healing, 
                and connection for people of color, Indigenous people, 
                and others who have been historically marginalized and 
                neglected. Our work to bring true equity to our parks 
                is not yet done. The National Park System must continue 
                to evolve to better reflect all of the people of our 
                Nation, and to work in partnership with Tribal Nations 
                whose historic and sacred lands often fall within the 
                boundaries of National Parks and Monuments that have 
                been dedicated through the years.

[[Page 21162]]

                During National Park Week, let us dedicate ourselves to 
                greater improvement, enjoyment, and preservation of our 
                natural treasures, and to continue to find inspiration, 
                strength, and all else we seek within them.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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 17 
                through April 25, 2021, as National Park Week. I 
                encourage all Americans to find their park, recreate 
                responsibly, and enjoy the benefits that come from 
                spending time in the natural world. I also ask all park 
                visitors to do their part to stop the spread of the 
                coronavirus by wearing masks and practicing social 
                distancing.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                seventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-08547
Filed 4-21-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P