Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 103 Part 3.djvu/1008

 103 STAT. 3076 PROCLAMATION 6009—AUG. 14, 1989 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have herexmto set my hand this fourteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty- nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fourteenth. GEORGE BUSH Proclamation 6009 of August 14, 1989 ,.. \ National Wilderness Week, 1989 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation When our Nation was founded, much of the land that eventually became part of the United States was unspoiled wilderness, teeming with wildlife and rich in natural resources. But after just 100 years, much of the American frontier had virtually disappeared. Railroads crisscrossed the continent, inviting settlement and industry. The rush for land and resoiurces led to almost imchecked development. The end of the 19th centiuy, however, marked a turning point in the management of America's natural resources. For the benefit of the entire country, the U.S. Government began to reserve selected public land as National Parks, National Forests, and National Wildlife Ref- uges. In 1924, the Gila National Forest in New Mexico became the first public land allocated specifically for the purpose of preserving the eco- logical, geological, scientific, and historic value of the wilderness. Forty years later, the desire to protect our Nation's wilderness resource was codified with the signing of the Wilderness Act on September 3, 1964. This year marks the 25th anniversary of that Act, which established the National Wilderness Preservation System. This System was the first of its kind in the world. Managed by the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior, the System now includes more than 90 million acres of wil- derness in 44 States. The Wilderness Act directs that these acres be managed to "secure for the American people of present and future gen- erations the benefits of an enduring resoiu-ce of wilderness... unim- paired for future use and enjoyment." It requires that these areas be "devoted to the public purposes of recreation, scenic, scientific, educa- tional, conservation and historical use." When the Wilderness Act was passed, many assimied that simply des- ignating an area as wilderness would assure its preservation. However, experience has shown us that preserving these beautiful, imtamed lands requires a lasting commitment and cooperation from the public. Every American can demonstrate that commitment by supporting the careful management and protection of our wilderness. In recognition of the values of wilderness, the Congress by Senate Joint Resolution 67, has designated the week of September 3 through Sep- tember 9, 1989, as "National Wilderness Week" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week.

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