National Farm-City Week, 2008

Proclamation 8320 of November 19, 2008

National Farm-City Week, 2008

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Farmers and ranchers display the values of hard work
and good stewardship, and National Farm-City Week is an
opportunity to recognize these individuals and their
urban partners for contributing to our Nation's well-
being.

Farming, America's first industry, helps feed and
clothe our citizens and increasingly provides more of
our energy. The agricultural sector also employs more
than a million people across our Nation. Farming has
been a cornerstone of our country since its founding
and continues to be a vital part of our economy.

Our farmers and ranchers provide a safe, healthy, and
abundant food supply, yet they could not succeed in
doing so without essential partnerships with urban
communities to supply, sell, and deliver finished
products across our country and around the world. These
cooperative efforts help to create a prosperous future
for our citizens and people everywhere.

Since 2001, my Administration has been committed to
strengthening our agricultural sector, and we have
worked to create an environment that will stimulate
growth by opening new markets, encouraging free and
fair trade, and keeping taxes low. As we celebrate this
week, we recognize the vital work of farmers and
ranchers, and we pay tribute to all those who
strengthen the relationships between our rural and
urban communities.

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 21 through November
27, 2008, as National Farm-City Week. I encourage all
Americans to join in recognizing farmers, ranchers, and
all those who contribute to the strength of America's
agricultural industry.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
nineteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.