Presidential Documents

21213 

Federal Register 

Vol. 73, No. 76 

Friday, April 18, 2008 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 8239 of April 15, 2008 

National Park Week, 2008 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, ‘‘There is nothing so American 

as our National Parks.’’ During National Park Week, we underscore our 

commitment to conserving these magnificent places and recognize the many 

employees and volunteers who give their time and energy to keep them 

beautiful for all Americans to enjoy. 

This year’s theme for National Park Week, ‘‘Kids In Parks,’’ highlights youth 

programs and initiatives offered by the National Park Service to encourage 

children to be good stewards of the land. The Junior Ranger program is 

one such program that encourages America’s youth to explore, protect, and 

learn about our national parks. Today, many national parks have active 

Junior Ranger programs. By visiting nps.gov/webrangers, young people can 

sign up to become WebRangers, enabling them to learn about different 

parks, monuments, and historic sites right from their homes. 

Across the United States, the Federal Government plays a vital role in 

protecting our natural and historical treasures. My Administration launched 

the National Park Centennial Initiative to preserve and enhance these scenic 

wonders and to prepare for the 100th anniversary of the National Park 

Service in 2016. Serving as the Honorary Chair of the National Park Foundation, First Lady Laura Bush has also played a significant role in preserving 

our national parks. The First Lady is actively involved in programs such 

as First Bloom, which teaches children how to preserve native plants across 

America. In addition, this past Christmas, the White House highlighted 

our national parks with the theme ‘‘Holiday in the National Parks.’’ 

Our National Parks belong to each of us, and they are natural places to 

learn, exercise, volunteer, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy 

the magnificent beauty of our great land. During National Park Week and 

throughout the year, Americans of all ages can pledge to help maintain 

and enhance America’s national treasures for 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, do hereby proclaim April 19 through April 

27, 2008, as National Park Week. I invite all my fellow citizens to join 

me in celebrating America’s national parks by visiting these wonderful 

spaces, discovering all they have to offer, and becoming active participants 

in park conservation. 


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21214 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 76 / Friday, April 18, 2008 / Presidential Documents 

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

of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence 

of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second. 

[FR Doc. 08–1166 

Filed 4–17–08; 8:58 am] 

Billing code 3195–01–P 


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