National Forest Products Week, 2005

Proclamation 7948 of October 14, 2005

National Forest Products Week, 2005

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America's forests are a source of pride, and they
provide crucial products and materials for our citizens
and communities. As we celebrate National Forest
Products Week, we recognize the importance of our
forests to our economy and way of life, and we reaffirm
our commitment to protecting them through wise
stewardship and sensible land management.

Across our Nation, people and businesses use forest
products to meet their daily needs. Forests provide
paper for books and newspapers, lumber for homes and
buildings, and materials for countless other items. As
good citizens, we have a shared responsibility to
cultivate and sustain our forests and minimize the risk
of catastrophic fires that harm people, property, and
the environment.

My Administration has made good forest stewardship a
priority. Through the Healthy Forests Initiative, we
are reducing the frequency and severity of wildfires by
thinning out and removing forest undergrowth before
disaster strikes. The commonsense management practices
we are implementing are helping to strengthen our
economy, keep communities safe, save the lives of
firefighters, and protect threatened and endangered
habitats and wildlife.

Sound conservation policies and responsible maintenance
provide improved protection for our forests and greater
economic prosperity for our citizens. During National
Forest Products Week, we renew our commitment to
sustain America's forests.

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 16
through October 22, 2005, 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
fourteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand five, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.

(Presidential Sig.)B