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

    Proclamation 7665 of April 18, 2003

    National Park Week, 2003

    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation

    America is a land of majestic beauty, and we are blessed with
    immeasurable natural wealth. Americans are united in the belief that we
    must preserve this treasured heritage and conserve these natural
    resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people.
    As a Nation, we can be proud of our diverse parklands, ranging from the
    rugged wilderness of snow-capped mountains, thick forests, sweeping
    desert sands, and remote canyons to national symbols such as the Statue
    of Liberty and the Lincoln Memorial. Our National Park Service has a
    long and important history. In 1864, the Federal Government ensured a
    grand natural landscape for generations to come when it designated
    Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias to be ``held
    for public use, resort, and recreation . . . inalienable for all time.''
    Eight years later in 1872, the Congress created the first national park
    in the Yellowstone region of the Territories of Montana and Wyoming.
    Finally, in 1916, the National Park Service was established to
    efficiently administer our growing number of parks, which today in

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    cludes 388 national parks on more than 84 million acres of public lands.
    These lands continue to be cherished by all our citizens.
    The full and safe enjoyment of our national parks depends on dedicated
    National Park Service employees and thousands of people who volunteer
    their time to conserve these sites. This year's theme for National Park
    Week, ``Celebrating Volunteers,'' recognizes their valuable
    contributions to conserving and maintaining our natural, cultural, and
    historical heritage.
    Across the country, my Administration is promoting volunteer service,
    encouraging public-private partnerships, and advocating community-based
    interest in our national parks. We are committed to ensuring that our
    land is conserved, our air is clean, our water is pure, and our parks
    are open and accessible to all Americans. Recently, my Administration
    re-launched Take Pride in America, a national partnership that engages
    volunteers from every corner of America to enhance our parks and other
    public lands. As part of the USA Freedom Corps initiative, Take Pride in
    America will encourage more Americans to take part in volunteer service
    opportunities available on public lands.
    My Administration has also supported improvements in park management and
    is working to reduce the park maintenance backlog. My fiscal year 2004
    budget includes over $1 billion to reduce the maintenance backlog, an
    increase of $180 million over last year's request, along with $76
    million, a $9 million increase over last year's request, for the
    National Park Service Natural Resource Challenge to monitor ``vital
    signs'' of conditions in our parks. This initiative will help conserve
    native species and habitats, maintain our natural resources, eradicate
    invasive species, and provide the public with information about
    resources in our parks. In addition, my Administration has developed the
    website www.recreation.gov, which is a user-friendly way to obtain
    information about recreational opportunities in the national parks and
    other public recreation sites.
    As we observe National Park Week, I encourage all citizens to explore
    our national parks and to commit to the conservation and stewardship of
    these timeless treasures. By working together, we can ensure that these
    special places thrive for generations to come.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
    America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
    laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 21 through April 27,
    2003, as National Park Week. I call upon the people of the United States
    to join me in recognizing the importance of our national parks and to
    learn more about these areas of beauty, their historical significance,
    and the many ways citizens can volunteer to help preserve these precious
    resources.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of
    April, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
    seventh.
    GEORGE W. BUSH

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