National Forest Products Week, 2004

Proclamation 7836 of October 20, 2004

National Forest Products Week, 2004

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America's forests are places of beauty and incredible
natural wealth. They are homes to wildlife and offer
many economic opportunities for our Nation. During
National Forest Products Week, we recognize the many
benefits of our forests and continue our dedication to
protecting them.

Across our country, many communities rely on healthy
forests for economic stability. Our forests provide
paper products, building materials, chemicals, and many
other items needed by families and small businesses
across America. Responsible forest management helps
provide jobs and maintain these important resources to
help meet the daily needs of Americans and people
around the world.

My Administration has made forest health a high
priority, and we will continue to promote active
management and forest conservation. Under the Healthy
Forests Initiative, we acted to remove the causes of
severe wildfires by thinning forest undergrowth before
disaster strikes. And the Healthy Forests Restoration
Act of 2003, which I signed into law last December,
expands our work, helping protect valuable lands that
serve as habitat for wildlife and ensuring the safety
and economic vitality of communities affected by
wildfires. The Act enforces high standards of
conservation to help return our forests to more natural
conditions and maintain the full range of forest types.

To ensure that our forests remain a source of pride for
all Americans, we must continue our tradition of
protecting the land for future generations. By
combining the ethic of good stewardship with the spirit
of innovation, we can advance a healthy environment and
continue economic growth and job creation.

In 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 17
through October 23, 2004, 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
twentieth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand four, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.

(Presidential Sig.)B