For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 18, 2001
National Park Week, 2001
By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation
The United States boasts an incredible wealth
of natural beauty. From rugged coastlines and thick forests
to arid deserts and canyons, our diverse landscapes represent a
treasured heritage of which all Americans can be proud.
Our country's commitment to the conservation
of its open spaces runs deep. The Nation founded Yellowstone
National Park in 1872 and thereby generated renewed appreciation for
the great outdoors among Americans. Our country's actions
inspired other countries to follow suit by establishing their own
national parks or equivalent preserves.
Since the establishment of the National Park
Service in 1916, our national parks have grown to occupy a special
place in the hearts of the American people. As responsible
stewards, we must leave them in good condition for those who follow
us. By providing additional resources for their preservation
and maintenance, we can prevent the deterioration in facilities and
infrastructure that threatens their future well-being.
National parks are a testament to the natural
wonders of our mountains, valleys, rivers, and streams. They
remind us to take a break from the busy pace of modern society to
experience the simpler pleasures of life and provide unique
opportunities for personal recreation. Whether camping in
Yosemite National Park or boating along Apostle Islands National
Lakeshore, people of all ages can take in spectacular scenery and enjoy
a relaxing time with family and friends.
The National Park Service also serves an
educational purpose, honoring our heroes and preserving important
historical landmarks. By visiting the Frederick Douglass
National Historic Site, the immigration station on Ellis Island or many
other significant sites in our national parks, Americans gain a deeper
understanding of our national story and the extraordinary people and
events that paved the way for our development and progress.
National Park Week pays tribute to the
importance of our national parks and recognizes the dedicated men and
women entrusted with their care. The observance also calls attention
to the need to reinvest in these national treasures by providing for
their sound stewardship in the years to come. As timeless
and majestic reminders of our outdoor heritage, America's national
parks add immensely to our quality of life and represent a wonderful
legacy that must be passed on to future generations.
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 of America, do
hereby proclaim April 23 through April 29, 2001, as National Park
Week. I encourage all Americans to visit our national parks
and experience America.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my
hand this seventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two
thousand one, and of the Independence of the United States of America
the two hundred and twenty-fifth.
GEORGE
W. BUSH
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