    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 7723 of October 17, 2003

    National Forest Products Week, 2003

    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation

    Our forests are a source of pride for our Nation. They benefit many
    Americans who depend on healthy forests for their livelihoods and
    quality of life. As we celebrate National Forest Products Week, we
    recognize the importance of our forest resources. We remain committed to
    sound, commonsense, forest management.
    Beyond their scenic beauty, our forests are vital to our economy and our
    way of life. Numerous jobs in the manufacturing and construction
    industries, as well as in the forest products industries, rely on the
    health and sustainability of our forests. Forests provide lumber for
    building our homes, they provide paper for publishing our books and
    newspapers, and forests are the source of many other wood and paper
    products that Americans use every day.
    We have a responsibility to maintain the health and productivity of our
    forests. In the past, forests have been spoiled by overgrowth, decimated
    by insects and disease, and devastated by wildfires. My Administration's
    Healthy Forests Initiative will help prevent this kind of destruction.
    Aided by this Initiative, we treated nearly 2.6 million acres of forests
    during the last fiscal year to reduce dangerous overgrowth and restore
    forest health. This is more than double the number of acres that were
    treated 3 years ago. My Administration is also committed to fulfilling
    the promise of the 1994 Northwest Forest Plan to protect our most
    sensitive forest areas, while supporting a viable forest products
    industry and jobs in rural America. By encouraging active forest
    management and sustainable timber harvesting, we strengthen our economy
    and ensure the lasting beauty of our woodlands.
    Recognizing the importance of our forests in ensuring the long-term
    welfare of our Nation, the Congress, by Public Law 86-753 (36 U.S.C.
    123), as amended, has designated the week beginning on the third Sun

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    day 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, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
    America, do hereby proclaim October 19 through October 25, 2003, as
    National Forest Products Week. I call upon all Americans to observe this
    week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of
    October, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
    Independence of the United States of
    America the two hundred and twenty-
    eighth.
    GEORGE W. BUSH