[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 24 (Monday, June 18, 2001)]
[Pages 879-880]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7450--Great Outdoors Week, 2001

 June 11, 2001

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    During Great Outdoors Week, our Nation celebrates the beauty and 
majesty of the great outdoors. This occasion allows Americans to reflect 
on the role our parks, forests, wildlife refuges, recreation areas, and 
other public lands and waters play in our lives. We also acknowledge how 
this wonderful shared legacy would not be possible without our strong 
tradition of natural resource conservation.
    No other country boasts more extraordinary or more diverse options 
for recreation. Our Nation's federally managed lands account for nearly 
one in every three acres and, together with our Nation's waters, provide 
visitors with almost 2 billion opportunities for recreation annually. 
Eight of ten Americans participate at least monthly in outdoor 
recreation, and we may choose to challenge ourselves through demanding 
activities like mountain climbing or river rafting. Enjoying the 
outdoors also can be as tranquil as birdwatching or viewing a golden 
sunset from a campsite. These experiences leave us with wonderful 
memories of time shared with family and friends, provide opportunities 
for improving our health, and expose us to the wonders of nature.
    Recognizing that most Americans enjoy the outdoors by visiting 
Federal, State, or local sites, my budget proposes to fully fund the 
Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million for Fiscal Year 2002. 
Half of the Fund will go toward grants to support State and local 
conservation and outdoor recreation efforts. My National Parks Legacy 
Project pledges to secure $4.9 billion to help ensure that our national 
parks are properly maintained and enhanced. In addition, I have directed 
the Department of the Interior to prepare an annual report describing 
the condition of our parks and offering specific recommendations to 
improve them.
    During Great Outdoors Week, we also honor Americans who volunteer 
their time to restore and safeguard these national treasures. These 
generous individuals collectively contribute millions of hours to clean 
shorelines and waterways, maintain trails and campsites, staff 
interpretive centers, and perform other important tasks. Their efforts 
help ensure the continued vitality of our precious natural areas and 
enhance the quality of life for all Americans.
    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 June 10-16, 2001, as Great 
Outdoors Week. I call upon the people of the United States to observe 
this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to participate 
in safe and wholesome outdoor recreation.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of 
June, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence 
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:54 a.m., June 12, 
2001]

[[Page 880]]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on June 
13.