[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 23, 2024)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 84455-84456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24761]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 23, 2024 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 84455]]


                Proclamation 10843 of October 18, 2024

                
National Forest Products Week, 2024

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Our forests are central to our country's heritage, 
                history, and economy. Forests support livelihoods 
                across Tribal Nations, rural towns, and big cities--
                from foresters and loggers to mill workers and 
                carpenters--while also sustaining the health of our 
                environment and our communities. During National Forest 
                Products Week, we recognize that conserving our 
                bountiful forests is critical to sustaining our economy 
                and ensuring that Americans can enjoy the wonder of our 
                forests for generations to come.

                As a Nation, we rely on our forests for so much--from 
                cleaning the air we breathe and the water we drink to 
                providing the lumber and paper we use every day. But 
                the existential threat of climate change endangers our 
                forests, putting those jobs, livelihoods, and critical 
                products at risk. After decades of fire suppression and 
                ignoring climate change, wildfire seasons have become 
                wildfire years, burning down communities, destroying 
                forest ecosystems, and upending people's lives.

                My first year in office, I launched the ``America the 
                Beautiful'' initiative to conserve at least 30 percent 
                of all our Nation's lands and waters by 2030 through 
                local, voluntary efforts across the country while 
                empowering foresters and farmers to advance sustainable 
                practices to keep working lands productive. These 
                efforts will help strengthen our economy and pass on a 
                healthier planet to our children and grandchildren.

                When I came into office, I was determined to conserve 
                our forests while protecting the people who rely on 
                them for jobs. My Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is 
                creating jobs managing our forests, restoring 
                ecosystems, and preventing catastrophic fires. It is 
                investing in the removal of overgrown vegetation near 
                homes and power lines, preparing evacuation routes in 
                areas at risk of wildfires, removing invasive plant 
                species from forests that can cause fire to spread, and 
                planting native tree species that are more resilient to 
                the changing climate. And my Inflation Reduction Act 
                made the largest climate investment ever, putting 
                people to work planting trees, sustainably managing our 
                forests, and working on fire prevention. Together, 
                these actions are producing new jobs that help us care 
                for our forests and keep all of us safe from wildfires.

                At the same time, my Administration is working to 
                support the American workers and rural communities 
                producing our forest products. We have awarded millions 
                of dollars in grants to American businesses that 
                support forest conservation, expand the sustainable use 
                of American wood products, and find innovative ways to 
                use our wood waste materials, including to build strong 
                and sustainable buildings. I also take pride in having 
                raised the Federal firefighter minimum wage to $15 per 
                hour--an important first step in ensuring the people 
                who run into flames to keep all of us safe are paid 
                what they deserve.

                Conserving our forests is good for our economy, the 
                planet, and the soul of our Nation. This week, may we 
                recommit to responsibly stewarding our forests and the 
                abundant resources they provide so that we may all 
                enjoy their benefits and beauty for years to come.

[[Page 84456]]

                To recognize the importance of the many products 
                generated by our Nation's 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, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, by virtue of the 
                authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws 
                of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 20 
                through October 26, 2024, as National Forest Products 
                Week. I call upon the people of the United States to 
                join me in this observance and in recognizing all 
                Americans who are responsible for the stewardship of 
                our Nation's beautiful forested landscapes.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                ninth.
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                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2024-24761
Filed 10-22-24; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F4-P