Centennial of the Forest Service, 2005

Proclamation 7867 of February 1, 2005

Centennial of the Forest Service, 2005

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

In 2005, the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service
celebrates a century of service to our Nation. After
President Theodore Roosevelt established the Forest
Service as part of the Department of Agriculture in
1905, Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson wrote to
the First Chief of the Forest Service, Forester Gifford
Pinchot, that ``all land is to be devoted to its most
productive use for the permanent good of the whole
people.'' The Forest Service has now upheld this noble
charge for 100 years, and America's forests remain
vibrant because of the hard work and dedication of our
foresters.

Beyond serving as places for recreation, our forests
are also sources of paper products, building materials,
chemicals, and many other resources that drive our
economy. Over the last century, the Forest Service has
combined this ethic of good stewardship with sound
science and a spirit of innovation to cultivate and
sustain our forests in ways that benefit our entire
society.

Today, Americans continue to be responsible stewards of
national forests and grasslands. Through the
commonsense management approach of my Healthy Forests
Initiative, the Forest Service is working with State
and local governments, tribes, and other Federal
agencies to help prevent destructive wildfires, return
forests to a healthier, natural condition, and maintain
a full range of forest types. The Forest Service is
also providing important work, education, and job
training to citizens in need. This commitment to
``Caring for the Land and Serving People'' contributes
to our country's success in conserving our environment
and ensuring that our natural resources remain sources
of pride for our citizens, our communities, and our
Nation.

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 February 1, 2005, as the
Centennial of the Forest Service of the Department of
Agriculture. I call upon the people of the United
States to recognize this anniversary with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities in honor of the
Forest Service's contributions to our country.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
first day of February, in the year of our Lord two
thousand five, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.

(Presidential Sig.)B