PROCLAMATION 7473—SEPT. 28, 2001 115 STAT. 2829 should have opportunities to pursue the American dream. Historically Black Colleges and Universities play an essential role in providing access to that dream for African Americans, and I salute them for their continuing commitment to serving African American students. 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 September 24 through September 30, 2001, as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week. I call upon the people of the United States, including government officials, educators, and administrators, to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, thereby demonstrating our appreciation of and support for these important educational institutions. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty- eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclamation 7473 of September 28, 2001 National Public Lands Day, 2001 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation The United States has the world's greatest public lands. The National Park System, established in 1916, protects some of America's most beautiful and essential natural resources. Our parks connect Americans with their land, giving us a common landscape and shared national treasures. With more than 80 million acres, these majestic and diverse parks, home to thousands of species of flora and fauna, represent our Nation's most important natural legacy to future generations. Our national parks provide outstanding recreational possibilities for Americans, and more than 287 million visitors each year come to these beautiful places to explore those possibilities. My Administration recognizes and accepts the importance of making these great lands more accessible to all our citizens. Our Government bears a clear and direct responsibility for the stewardship of our parks. The Government alone, however, cannot fulfill the promise of preserving this outdoor legacy— a legacy first bequeathed to us by President Theodore Roosevelt and other early visionaries who understood the importance of these great landscapes, ecosystems, and historic and cultural settings. Only by developing partnerships among States, local communities, tribal governments, public agencies, the nonprofit sector, the private sector, and individual landowners can we truly maintain and protect our Nation's best places. National Public Lands Day provides every American with a unique and valuable opportunity to promote environmental education and, more importantly, to put their hands to work on projects directly benefiting public lands. I encourage Americans to volunteer to build trails, restore habitat, improve accessibility for visitors with special needs, and repair
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