[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 15 (Monday, April 21, 2008)]
[Pages 521-522]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8239--National Park Week, 2008

April 15, 2008

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, ``There is nothing so 
American as our National Parks.'' During National Park Week, we 
underscore our commitment to conserving these magnificent places and 
recognize the many employees and volunteers who give their time and 
energy to keep them beautiful for all Americans to enjoy.
    This year's theme for National Park Week, ``Kids In Parks,'' 
highlights youth programs and initiatives offered by the National Park 
Service to encourage children to be good

[[Page 522]]

stewards of the land. The Junior Ranger program is one such program that 
encourages America's youth to explore, protect, and learn about our 
national parks. Today, many national parks have active Junior Ranger 
programs. By visiting nps.gov/webrangers, young people can sign up to 
become WebRangers, enabling them to learn about different parks, 
monuments, and historic sites right from their homes.
    Across the United States, the Federal Government plays a vital role 
in protecting our natural and historical treasures. My Administration 
launched the National Park Centennial Initiative to preserve and enhance 
these scenic wonders and to prepare for the 100th anniversary of the 
National Park Service in 2016. Serving as the Honorary Chair of the 
National Park Foundation, First Lady Laura Bush has also played a 
significant role in preserving our national parks. The First Lady is 
actively involved in programs such as First Bloom, which teaches 
children how to preserve native plants across America. In addition, this 
past Christmas, the White House highlighted our national parks with the 
theme ``Holiday in the National Parks.''
    Our National Parks belong to each of us, and they are natural places 
to learn, exercise, volunteer, spend time with family and friends, and 
enjoy the magnificent beauty of our great land. During National Park 
Week and throughout the year, Americans of all ages can pledge to help 
maintain and enhance America's national treasures for future 
generations.
    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 April 19 through April 27, 
2008, as National Park Week. I invite all my fellow citizens to join me 
in celebrating America's national parks by visiting these wonderful 
spaces, discovering all they have to offer, and becoming active 
participants in park conservation.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day 
of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
second.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:58 a.m., April 17, 
2008]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on April 16, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
April 18.