Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 124.djvu/4789

124 STAT. 4763 PROCLAMATION 8613—DEC. 6, 2010 NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Decem- ber 3, 2010, as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. I call on all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activi- ties, and programs. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth. BARACK OBAMA Proclamation 8613 of December 6, 2010 50th Anniversary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Our public lands represent the American spirit and reflect our history, culture, and deep respect for wild and beautiful places. As we cele- brate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, we remember that this breathtaking terrain holds great significance to our Nation. Stretching from the plains of the Arctic Sea to the soaring mountains of the Brooks Range and lush boreal forests of the Alaskan lowlands, the rugged splendor of the Arctic Refuge is among the most profoundly beautiful places in America. Following the efforts of visionary conservationists, the Arctic National Wildlife Range was created in 1960 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower ‘‘for the purpose of preserving unique wildlife, wilderness, and rec- reational values.’’ In 1980, under President Jimmy Carter, the area was renamed the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and expanded to further recognize and protect the stunning variety of wildlife in the area. For 50 years, the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Inte- rior has managed the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, carefully bal- ancing the needs of wildlife and their vital habitats. In the decades since its establishment, the Arctic National Wildlife Ref- uge has continued to be one of our Nation’s most pristine and cher- ished areas. In the decades to come, it should remain a place where wildlife populations, from roaming herds of caribou to grizzly bears and wolf packs, continue to thrive. The 19.6 million acres that com- prise the Arctic Refuge are also home to Native American tribes, in- cluding the Inupiat and Gwich’in, and the resources of the Refuge sus- tain these populations and protect their indigenous traditions and way of life. Today, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge remains distinct in the American landscape, and we must remain committed to making re- sponsible choices and ensuring the continued conservation of these wild lands. Our Nation’s great outdoors, whether our stunning national parks and refuges or cherished green spaces in our local communities, are truly