    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [October 30, 2003]
    [Page 1430]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1430]]

    Statement on Senate Passage of Healthy Forests Restoration Legislation
    October 30, 2003

        I commend the Senate for passing the ``Healthy Forests Restoration
    Act.'' The bipartisan support for this commonsense legislation
    demonstrates that we are united in our goal of returning our Nation's
    forests to health by eliminating unnatural overgrowth and promoting
    early community involvement in forest management planning.
        Restoring forest health is important to the safety of our
    communities and to the protection of wildlife, endangered species, water
    supplies, and forest resources. I urge the House and Senate to quickly
    resolve the differences in their bills so that I can sign this important
    legislation and we can fully implement my Healthy Forests Initiative.