[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[October 29, 1992]
[Pages 2074-2075]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Signing the Hawaii Tropical Forest Recovery Act
October 29, 1992

    Today I have signed into law S. 2679, the ``Hawaii Tropical Forest 
Recovery Act.'' This Act demonstrates our intent as a Nation to conserve 
and protect irreplaceable tropical forests and to provide world 
leadership in stemming the decline of these forests. It allows us to 
meet our obligations to the principles of forest management, 
conservation, and sustainable development that were established at the 
recent United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).
    My Administration's ``Forests for the Future'' initiative, which I 
announced on June 1, 1992, has provided the policy framework for the 
enactment of this legislation. This initiative places conservation of 
the Earth's forests as a top priority for our country. For this purpose 
the United States is committed to new funding, partnerships with other 
governments and interested organizations, and actions to address the 
needs of our domestic forests.
    Expansion of the Institute of Pacific Is-

[[Page 2075]]

lands Forestry in Hawaii is a concrete step in meeting the challenge of 
fulfilling the domestic and international goals of Forests for the 
Future and tropical forest conservation generally. This Act will permit 
the Institute to serve as a center for transferring scientific, 
technical, managerial, and administrative assistance to organizations at 
home and abroad that seek to improve the management of tropical forests.
    Almost two-thirds of Hawaii's original forest cover has been lost 
over the last three centuries. This loss has severely affected the 
State's diverse ecosystems, which are among the most fragile and complex 
in the world. To better understand these changes and to develop means to 
conserve these forests for human and ecological needs, this Act 
authorizes the establishment of the Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest. 
This experimental forest will serve as a center for long-term research 
and a focal point for developing and transferring knowledge and 
expertise for the management of tropical forests.
    This Administration has sponsored many initiatives, such as the 
``America the Beautiful'' and the ``Urban and Community Forestry'' 
programs that have resulted in millions of new trees being planted in 
our country. With our Forests for the Future initiative as a foundation, 
the Hawaii Tropical Forest Recovery Act is another important aspect of 
our overall commitment to understanding and wisely using the resources 
of the world's forests.

                                                             George Bush

The White House,
October 29, 1992.

                    Note: S. 2679, approved October 29, was assigned 
                        Public Law No. 102-574.