[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 43 (Monday, October 28, 2002)]
[Page 1814]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7613--National Forest Products Week, 2002

 October 18, 2002

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    America's forests are one of our greatest natural resources. They 
offer majestic beauty and fabulous recreational opportunities for all 
Americans to enjoy. They also are an important source of materials that 
help our Nation's economy to grow and flourish. By observing National 
Forest Products Week, we recognize the countless ways in which forests 
enrich our lives, and we renew our commitment to preserving these 
natural assets for future generations.
    Forests strengthen our economy by supplying us with renewable, 
energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly resources that are the 
source of good jobs and valuable products. The wood we get from forests 
is a prime construction and manufacturing product that is used to build 
our homes and many other essential structures. Wood is also recyclable, 
biodegradable, and serves as a raw material for many items we use and 
enjoy every day, including paper, tissue, furniture, packaging 
materials, musical instruments, and postage stamps. The use of wood for 
biomass energy generation derived from thinning projects conserves 
fossil fuels and strengthens rural economies.
    In addition, our Nation's forests protect watersheds, preserve water 
quality, help keep our air clean, and provide habitat for our wildlife.
    To protect these vital natural resources, we must take affirmative 
steps towards managing our forests better, and we must work together to 
safeguard the health of our forests. My Administration has developed the 
Healthy Forests Initiative, which seeks to restore the health of our 
woodlands and prevent forest fires through a combination of thinning 
overgrowth and restoring fire-damaged areas. For the safety of our 
citizens, the good of our forests, and the prosperity of our economy, we 
must make forest health a national priority.
    Recognizing the importance of our forests in ensuring our Nation's 
well-being, 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, George W. Bush, President of the United States 
of America, do hereby proclaim October 20 through October 26, 2002, as 
National Forest Products Week. I call upon all Americans to observe this 
week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day 
of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:07 a.m., October 22, 
2002]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 
23. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.