For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 18, 2002
National Forest Products Week, 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
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