[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 47 (Monday, November 25, 2002)]
[Pages 2076-2077]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7629--National Farm-City Week, 2002

 November 22, 2002

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Agriculture has always been a cornerstone of our Nation's way of 
life. As wise stewards and innovative entrepreneurs, our dedicated 
farmers and ranchers improve our well-being by working to ensure a 
healthy and abundant agricultural supply. To succeed in this important 
enterprise, our farmers rely on essential partnerships with urban 
communities to supply, sell, and deliver finished products across the 
country and around the world. During National Farm-City Week, we 
recognize the importance of this cooperative network to the success of 
America's agricultural industry.
    Farming was America's first industry. Today, this industry provides 
us with many of the necessities of life, such as food, clothing, and, 
increasingly, fuel for our energy needs. Agriculture employs more than 
24 million workers including farmers, shippers, processors, marketers, 
grocers, truck drivers, inspectors, and others who annually contribute 
more than $1.3 trillion to our gross domestic product. In the 
international market, our farmers export more than $50 billion in 
products that help feed people in countries around the world. As we 
welcome new opportunities for trade, the hard work and successful 
cooperation between farmers and city workers will continue to play a 
vital role in our Nation's success and will continue to be a critical 
resource for countless people here at home and around the globe.
    My Administration remains committed to helping the millions of 
Americans who work in the agricultural industry. Earlier this year, I 
signed the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to support 
these important workers and to strengthen the farm economy. This Act 
will help our farmers and ranchers by providing financial assistance 
that encourages sound conservation and environmental practices, and 
promotes open trade. And to expand opportunities for our farmers to 
compete in the international marketplace and encourage further economic 
growth, my Administration is committed to opening international markets 
and reducing tariffs and other barriers to food distribution throughout 
the world.
    Farm-city collaborations help maintain and improve our Nation's food 
supply and contribute to a better quality of life for countless 
citizens. With this Farm-City Week observance, we commend the many 
Americans whose hard work and ingenuity reflect the true spirit of 
America and help ensure a prosperous future for all.
    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 November 22 through 
November 28, 2002, as National Farm-City Week. I call upon all 
Americans, in rural and urban communities, to join in recognizing the 
accomplishments of all those who work together to produce and promote

[[Page 2077]]

America's agricultural abundance. I also encourage citizens to 
strengthen our understanding of the American farm-city partnership by 
participating in appropriate community events and celebrations.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second 
day of November, 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, 8:47 a.m., November 25, 
2002]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
November 26.