Presidential Documents

32205

Federal Register

Vol. 66, No. 114

Wednesday, June 13, 2001

Title 3—

The President

Proclamation 7450 of June 11, 2001

Great Outdoors Week, 2001

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

During Great Outdoors Week, our Nation celebrates the beauty and majesty

of the great outdoors. This occasion allows Americans to reflect on the

role our parks, forests, wildlife refuges, recreation areas, and other public

lands and waters play in our lives. We also acknowledge how this wonderful

shared legacy would not be possible without our strong tradition of natural

resource conservation.

No other country boasts more extraordinary or more diverse options for

recreation. Our Nation’s federally managed lands account for nearly one

in every three acres and, together with our Nation’s waters, provide visitors

with almost 2 billion opportunities for recreation annually. Eight of ten

Americans participate at least monthly in outdoor recreation, and we may

choose to challenge ourselves through demanding activities like mountain

climbing or river rafting. Enjoying the outdoors also can be as tranquil

as birdwatching or viewing a golden sunset from a campsite. These experiences leave us with wonderful memories of time shared with family and

friends, provide opportunities for improving our health, and expose us to

the wonders of nature.

Recognizing that most Americans enjoy the outdoors by visiting Federal,

State, or local sites, my budget proposes to fully fund the Land and Water

Conservation Fund at $900 million for Fiscal Year 2002. Half of the Fund

will go toward grants to support State and local conservation and outdoor

recreation efforts. My National Parks Legacy Project pledges to secure $4.9

billion to help ensure that our national parks are properly maintained and

enhanced. In addition, I have directed the Department of the Interior to

prepare an annual report describing the condition of our parks and offering

specific recommendations to improve them.

During Great Outdoors Week, we also honor Americans who volunteer their

time to restore and safeguard these national treasures. These generous individuals collectively contribute millions of hours to clean shorelines and

waterways, maintain trails and campsites, staff interpretive centers, and

perform other important tasks. Their efforts help ensure the continued vitality

of our precious natural areas and enhance the quality of life for all Americans.

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 June 10–16, 2001, as

Great Outdoors Week. I call upon the people of the United States to observe

this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to participate

in safe and wholesome outdoor recreation.

32206 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 114 / Wednesday, June 13, 2001 / Presidential Documents

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day

of June, 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.

Billing code 3195

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