National Forest Products Week, 2002

Proclamation 7613 of October 18, 2002

National Forest Products Week, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America's forests are one of our greatest natural
resources. They offer majestic beauty and fabulous
recreational opportunities for all Americans to enjoy.
They also are an important source of materials that
help our Nation's economy to grow and flourish. By
observing National Forest Products Week, we recognize
the countless ways in which forests enrich our lives,
and we renew our commitment to preserving these natural
assets for future generations.

Forests strengthen our economy by supplying us with
renewable, energy-efficient, and environmentally
friendly resources that are the source of good jobs and
valuable products. The wood we get from forests is a
prime construction and manufacturing product that is
used to build our homes and many other essential
structures. Wood is also recyclable, biodegradable, and
serves as a raw material for many items we use and
enjoy every day, including paper, tissue, furniture,
packaging materials, musical instruments, and postage
stamps. The use of wood for biomass energy generation
derived from thinning projects conserves fossil fuels
and strengthens rural economies.

In addition, our Nation's forests protect watersheds,
preserve water quality, help keep our air clean, and
provide habitat for our wildlife.

To protect these vital natural resources, we must take
affirmative steps towards managing our forests better,
and we must work together to safeguard the health of
our forests. My Administration has developed the
Healthy Forests Initiative, which seeks to restore the
health of our woodlands and prevent forest fires
through a combination of thinning overgrowth and
restoring fire-damaged areas. For the safety of our
citizens, the good of our forests, and the prosperity
of our economy, we must make forest health a national
priority.

Recognizing the importance of our forests in ensuring
our Nation's well-being, 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 20
through October 26, 2002, 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
eighteenth day of October, 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