National Forest Products Week, 2009

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8442 of October 23, 2009

National Forest Products Week, 2009

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America's forests have helped spur the growth and
development that has been indispensable to our Nation's
success. They have provided timber and water, as well
as habitat for wildlife and opportunities for
recreational activities. As a repository for renewable
natural resources, forests have supplied the raw
materials that have sustained us throughout our
history. During National Forest Products Week, we
recognize the value of our woodlands and commit
ourselves to good stewardship and conservation
practices that help us to responsibly manage our
Nation's forests.

As a renewable and recyclable resource, wood is one of
our Nation's most environmentally friendly building
materials. Wood fiber is used throughout our daily
lives, from the paper we write on to the offices where
we work. We value the beauty of wood in our furniture,
in our homes, and in artwork that surrounds us. Today,
modern technology and stewardship practices by Federal,
State, tribal, and private landowners have improved the
way we manage our natural resources so that forests can
meet the needs of current and future generations.

Forests are one of the foundations on which our Nation
was formed; they are the backbone of our environment.
This week, we recognize the value of forest products
and the importance of their sustainable use to our
lives.

To recognize the importance of products from 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, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week
beginning on the third Sunday in October of each year
as National Forest Products Week. I call on all
Americans to celebrate the varied uses and products of
our forested lands, as well as the people who carry on
the tradition of careful stewardship of these precious
natural resources for generations to come.

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