National Forest Products Week, 2015

Proclamation 9352 of October 16, 2015

National Forest Products Week, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America's forests have defined the landscapes of our
country's natural beauty for centuries, and protecting
them is imperative to preserving our world for future
generations. In addition to providing renewable energy,
wildlife habitat, soil health, local foods, and water,
they purify the air we breathe and support an industry
that employs more than one million Americans. Each day,
we use a wide range of forest products--from the wood
in our homes to the paper we write on to the packaging
that protects our food, medicine, and other goods we
rely on. During National Forest Products Week, we
recognize the ways in which our Nation's forests
contribute to our livelihood and recommit to ensuring
their health and stability for centuries to come.

Forests today are at risk due to increasingly extreme
wildfires, droughts, severe outbreaks of insects and
disease, and climate change. My Administration is
committed to sustaining their health and resiliency and
to increasing the pace and scale of forest restoration.
By collaborating with States, local governments,
tribes, industry, private land owners, and other
partners, we are working to ensure our forests stay
strong and the trails that wind throughout remain
intact for all to enjoy. As part of our effort to
address climate change, we launched the Climate Action
Plan, which recognizes that forests are critical to our
effort to address carbon pollution and that we must
conserve and restore our forests to protect
biodiversity, water resources, and our livelihoods.
Additionally, through our America's Great Outdoors
Initiative, we are enabling individuals and communities
in every corner of our country to take up the cause of
safeguarding these natural wonders.

The natural resources and materials provided by forests
are essential to our way of life. From timber to
biofuels, forests can provide sustainable sources of
important goods, and America will continue to benefit
from their strength and vitality. Healthy forests lead
to a strong economy, a clean environment, and a
sustainable future for all our people. During National
Forest Products Week, let us rededicate ourselves to
preserving them and pledge to always remember the
irreplaceable role they play in our lives.

To recognize the importance of products from 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, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 18
through October 24, 2015, as National Forest Products
Week. I call on the people of the United States to join
me in recognizing the dedicated individuals who are
responsible for the stewardship of our forests and for
the preservation, management, and use of these precious
natural resources for the benefit of the American
people.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
sixteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and fortieth.