[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9524 of October 14, 2016

National Forest Products Week, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Filtering the air we breathe and the water we drink, and providing the
habitats that are home to diverse species of fish and wildlife, forests
are an essential part of our planet. Across America, they offer a wide
range of cultural and recreational activities that have sustained and
entertained people since long before our Nation's founding. Today,
forests provide products we use each day, including paper, wood, and

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building and packaging materials. During National Forest Products Week,
we express our appreciation for the incredible bounty forests provide
and we renew our commitment to ensuring the next generation can enjoy
their irreplaceable resources.
Our forests are at increasing risk from catastrophic wildfires, erosion,
drought, and climate change. That is why my Administration is working
alongside State and local leaders, landowners, and businesses to develop
solutions to preserve our forests--because we must respond to challenges
that threaten these important spaces. America's forests play an
important role in addressing climate change by absorbing carbon
pollution. It is critical that we protect and restore our forests, and
through the Climate Action Plan, Federal agencies are coming together to
strengthen the resilience of our forests and enhance their ability to
absorb even more carbon pollution.
The health and well-being of our forests and our communities go hand in
hand. With the Department of Agriculture, we are working to strengthen
markets for forest products. By allocating millions of dollars to help
expand technologies that encourage the use of wood in innovative ways,
we are also striving to improve forest health and generate rural jobs.
And we are exploring ways to help forestland owners respond to climate
change--earlier this year, we released a roadmap for implementing key
building blocks to achieve this goal, such as private forest growth and
retention, stewardship of Federal forests, and promotion of wood
products.
Forests generate billions of dollars in economic growth, sustaining
local economies and enhancing communities across our country. We rely on
them in so many aspects of our national life, and throughout this week,
we must continue working to protect the precious resources our forests
hold so they can continue enriching our world and supporting our way of
life.
To recognize the importance of products from our forests, the Congress,
by Public Law 86-753 (36 U.S.C. 123), as amended, has designated the
week beginning on the third Sunday 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, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim October 16 through October 22, 2016, as
National Forest Products Week. I call on the people of the United States
to join me in recognizing the dedicated individuals who are responsible
for the stewardship of our forests and for the preservation, management,
and use of these precious natural resources for the benefit of the
American people.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
first.
BARACK OBAMA