    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 124, 111th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    PROCLAMATION 8553--AUG. 31, 2010

    Proclamation 8553 of August 31, 2010
    National Wilderness Month, 2010
    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation

    For centuries, the American spirit of exploration and discovery has led
    us to experience the majesty of our Nation's wilderness. From raging
    rivers to serene prairies, from mountain peaks slicing the skyline to
    forests teeming with life, our Nation's landscapes have provided wonder,
    inspiration, and strength to all Americans. Many sites continue to hold
    historical, cultural, and religious significance for Indian tribes, the
    original stewards of this continent. We must continue to preserve and
    protect these scenic places and the life that inhabits them so they may
    be rediscovered and appreciated by generations to come.
    As we celebrate America's abundance of diverse lands, remarkable
    wildlife, and untamed beauty during National Wilderness Month, we also
    look back on our rich history of conservation. It was over 100 years ago
    that President Theodore Roosevelt marveled at the stark grandeur of the
    Grand Canyon and declared, ``the ages have been at work on it, and man
    can only mar it.'' Since that time, administrations have worked across
    party lines to defend America's breathtaking natural sites. President
    Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Wilderness Act in 1964, and many Presidents
    have since added new places to this great network of protected lands so
    that millions of acres of forests, monuments, and parks will be
    preserved for our children and grandchildren.
    Following in the footsteps of my predecessors, I signed the Omnibus
    Public Land Management Act last year to restore and protect more of our
    cherished wild spaces. In April of this year, I established the
    America's Great Outdoors Initiative to develop a community-based 21st
    century conservation agenda that can also spur job creation in the
    tourism and recreation industries. My Administration will continue to
    work closely with our State, local, and tribal partners to connect
    Americans with the great outdoors.
    This month, we renew our pledge to build upon the legacy of our
    forebears. Together, we must ensure that future generations can
    experience the tranquility and grandeur of America's natural places. As
    we resolve to meet this responsibility, let us also reflect on the ways
    in which our lives have been enriched by the gift of the American
    wilderness.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 September 2010 as
    National Wilderness Month. I invite all Americans to

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    visit and enjoy our wilderness areas, to learn about their vast history,
    and to aid in the protection of our precious national treasures.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of
    August, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
    fifth.
    BARACK OBAMA