National Park Week, 2008

Proclamation 8239 of April 15, 2008

National Park Week, 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 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 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.