National Farm-City Week, 2002

Proclamation 7629 of November 22, 2002

National Farm-City Week, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Agriculture has always been a cornerstone of our
Nation's way of life. As wise stewards and innovative
entrepreneurs, our dedicated farmers and ranchers
improve our well-being by working to ensure a healthy
and abundant agricultural supply. To succeed in this
important enterprise, our farmers rely on essential
partnerships with urban communities to supply, sell,
and deliver finished products across the country and
around the world. During National Farm-City Week, we
recognize the importance of this cooperative network to
the success of America's agricultural industry.

Farming was America's first industry. Today, this
industry provides us with many of the necessities of
life, such as food, clothing, and,increasingly, fuel
for our energy needs. Agriculture employs more than 24
million workers including farmers, shippers,
processors, marketers, grocers, truck drivers,
inspectors, and others who annually contribute more
than $1.3 trillion to our gross domestic product. In
the international market, our farmers export more than
$50 billion in products that help feed people in
countries around the world. As we welcome new
opportunities for trade, the hard work and successful
cooperation between farmers and city workers will
continue to play a vital role in our Nation's success
and will continue to be a critical resource for
countless people here at home and around the globe.

My Administration remains committed to helping the
millions of Americans who work in the agricultural
industry. Earlier this year, I signed the Farm Security
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to support these
important workers and to strengthen the farm economy.
This Act will help our farmers and ranchers by
providing financial assistance that encourages sound
conservation and environmental practices, and promotes
open trade. And to expand opportunities for our farmers
to compete in the inter national marketplace and
encourage further economic growth, my Administration is
committed to opening international markets and reducing
tariffs and other barriers to food distribution
throughout the world.

Farm-city collaborations help maintain and improve our
Nation's food supply and contribute to a better quality
of life for countless citizens. With this Farm-City
Week observance, we commend the many Americans whose
hard work and ingenuity reflect the true spirit of
America and help ensure a prosperous future for all.

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 November 22 through November
28, 2002, as National Farm-City Week. I call upon all
Americans, in rural and urban communities, to join in
recognizing the accomplishments of all those who work
together to produce and promote America's agricultural
abundance. I also encourage citizens to strengthen our
understanding of the American farm-city partnership by
participating in appropriate community events and
celebrations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-second day of November, 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.

(Presidential Sig.)B