National Park Week, 2006

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8002 of April 18, 2006

National Park Week, 2006

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

In America's national parks, the magnificent beauty of
our country and important examples of our Nation's
cultural heritage are preserved and made available to
Americans and visitors from all over the world. Each
year, as we observe National Park Week, we underscore
our commitment to conserve our natural and historical
treasures and encourage more Americans to enjoy, learn
from, and protect these important parts of our
heritage.

Our Nation has a long legacy of conservation. In 1872,
Yellowstone National Park became our country's first
national park, and more than four decades later, the
National Park Service was created. Today, the national
park system includes almost 400 sites, with parks in
nearly every state. From Yosemite National Park in
California to Acadia National Park in Maine, and from
Independence Hall to the Martin Luther King, Jr.,
National Historic Site, America's national parks are
home to some of our Nation's most beautiful landscapes
and richest history.

This year's theme, ``Connecting our Children to
America's National Parks,'' reflects the National Park
Service's commitment to encouraging young people to
enjoy outdoor recreation and better appreciate our
Nation's beauty and history. The National Park Service
Junior Rangers program develops interest in our
national parks by teaching children and their families
about the importance of the national park sites. Young
people can visit our national parks online by going to
the Junior Rangers website at www.nps.gov/WebRangers.
As Honorary Chair of the National Park Foundation,
First Lady Laura Bush helps raise awareness about
preservation of the parks and encourages support for
programs like the Junior Rangers. Through initiatives
like this, the National Park Service is promoting good
stewardship of the environment and appreciation of our
Nation's heritage.

With the opportunity to live in America comes a
responsibility to ensure that our national parks remain
a source of pride, pleasure, and education for all our
citizens. During National Park Week and throughout the
year, we pay tribute to the employees and volunteers of
the National Park Service. For the past 90 years, these
dedicated men and women have worked to maintain and
enhance our national parks and to ensure that they are
preserved and enjoyed for generations to come.

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 April 22 through April 30,
2006, as National Park Week. I call upon the people of
the United States to join me in celebrating America's
national parks and becoming active participants in park
conservation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eighteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two
thousand six, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.

(Presidential Sig.)B