[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 43 (Monday, October 25, 2004)]
[Pages 2504-2505]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7836--National Forest Products Week, 2004

October 20, 2004

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    America's forests are places of beauty and incredible natural 
wealth. They are homes to wildlife and offer many economic opportunities 
for our Nation. During National Forest Products Week, we recognize the 
many benefits of our forests and continue our dedication to protecting 
them.
    Across our country, many communities rely on healthy forests for 
economic stability. Our forests provide paper products, building 
materials, chemicals, and many other items needed by families and small 
businesses across America. Responsible forest management helps provide 
jobs and maintain these important resources to help meet the daily needs 
of Americans and people around the world.
    My Administration has made forest health a high priority, and we 
will continue to promote active management and forest conservation. 
Under the Healthy Forests Initiative, we acted to remove the causes of 
severe wildfires by thinning forest undergrowth before disaster strikes. 
And the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003, which I signed into law 
last December, expands our work, helping protect valuable lands that 
serve as habitat for wildlife and ensuring the safety and economic 
vitality of communities affected by wildfires. The Act enforces high 
standards of conservation to help return our forests to more natural 
conditions and maintain the full range of forest types.
    To ensure that our forests remain a source of pride for all 
Americans, we must continue our tradition of protecting the land for 
future generations. By combining the ethic of good stewardship with the 
spirit of innovation, we can advance a healthy environment and continue 
economic growth and job creation.
    In recognizing the importance of 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, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim October 17 through October 23, 2004, 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 twentieth day 
of October, in

[[Page 2505]]

the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the Independence of the 
United States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:08 a.m., October 22, 
2004]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 21, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
October 25.