Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 105 Part 3.djvu/640

 105 STAT. 2524 PROCLAMATION 6276—APR. 22, 1991 Proclamation 6276 of April 22, 1991 National Arbor Day, 1991 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation America's forests are an integral part of the global ecosystem and one of this Nation's greatest natural resources. Providing generations of Americans with lumber, fuel, and with many other valuable materials, these magnificent lands have helped us to build a strong and prosperous Nation. The natural habitat for many forms of wildlife, they have also provided watershed protection and grazing range. Yet these lands have provided more than tangible goods essential for survival—the sublime beauty and serenity of our forests have also refreshed the spirits of many a visitor. As important as the Nation's forests have been to us and to oui ancestors, we have not always used them with conunensurate care. Indeed, it was only a little more than 100 years ago that Americans began to reaUze that the heavy demand for wood products was depleting the Nation's trees at an alarming rate. In 1872, to dramatize the need to replenish America's dwindling tree supply, concerned residents of Nebraska observed the first Arbor Day. JuUus Sterling Morton, the prominent Nebraska politician who later became our third Secretary of Agriculture, was instrumental in encouraging other States to follow suit. Arbor Day was set aside specifically for the planting of trees. More than a source of beauty and of valuable timber, food, and paper products, trees help to prevent soil erosion; they improve air quality by limiting the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; and they reduce energy demands by sheltering our homes and businesses from the sun and wind. Thus, Arbor Day tree plantings provide tangible, lasting benefits while reminding every public-spirited citizen of the value of trees and the importance of reforestation efforts—not only in our Nation's parks and wilderness areas but also in tropical forests, rain forests, and wetlands around the world. On Arbor Day we also recognize the efforts of those who plant and care for trees throughout the year: private and public foresters, members of civic associations, individual volimteers, and students who are aided by their parents and teachers. Today Americans of all ages are setting an example of environmental stewardship by participating in the America the Beautiful Program. Under this program we plan to have up to 10 billion new trees growing in America by the year 2001. Just as a tree is known by the fruit it bears, we will be judged by our actions—^by the way that we use our God-given resources and by the way that we handle our responsibilities toward our fellowman. On Arbor Day let us act to plant and to care for trees. Whether sown in our backyards or in our parks and other public places, their limbs will bear living evidence of our concern for generations to come. The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 64, has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation designating the last Friday of April 1991 as "National Arbor Day."

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