[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 126, 112th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8833--JUNE 1, 2012

Proclamation 8833 of June 1, 2012

Great Outdoors Month, 2012

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America's natural treasures and unique landscapes have always mirrored
the rugged independence and cherished diversity that define our national
character. From rocky coasts to lush woodlands to urban parks, our great
outdoors have set the scene for countless adventures, trials, and
triumphs. During Great Outdoors Month, we celebrate our long legacy of
environmental stewardship and resolve to preserve clean and healthy
outdoor spaces for generations to come.
Thanks to centuries of forward-thinking Americans--from leaders like
Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt to private citizens
and neighborhood groups--our lives have been enriched by a tremendous
array of natural beauty. To uphold this tradition, I was proud to launch
the America's Great Outdoors Initiative. Building on input from tens of
thousands of people across our country, we are joining with communities,
landowners, sportsmen, businesses, and partners at every level of
government to reconnect Americans with the natural world and lay the
foundation for a more sustainable planet. Through the Initiative, we are
also helping support farms and ranches that provide our Nation with
food, fiber, and energy. The 21st Century Conservation Service Corps is
empowering our Nation's youth to restore and protect our public lands
and waters through meaningful jobs and service opportunities. And First
Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Outside! initiative is encouraging
children and families to explore the outdoors and engage in outdoor
recreation as part of a healthy, active lifestyle.
Protecting our environment is not only a duty to our children; it is an
economic imperative. Visitors to our public lands contribute billions of
dollars to local economies, and I am committed to supporting this engine
of growth. As part of our National Travel and Tourism Strategy, my
Administration is working to increase visits to our national parks and
scenic places. This initiative will help support small businesses and
drive job growth across our country.
Great Outdoors Month is a time for all Americans to share in the natural
splendor of which we are all proud inheritors. Whether camping, fishing,
rock climbing, or playing in a neighborhood park, nature offers each of
us the opportunity to get active, explore, and strengthen our bonds with
family and friends. This month, let us celebrate our natural heritage by
experiencing it together.
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 June 2012 as Great
Outdoors Month. I urge all Americans to explore the great outdoors and
to uphold our Nation's legacy of conserving our lands and waters for
future generations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June,
in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Inde-


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pendence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA