[Federal Register: November 26, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 228)]
[Presidential Documents]               
[Page 70833-70834]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26no02-115]                         






                        Presidential Documents 








[[Page 70833]]




                Proclamation 7629 of November 22, 2002


 
                National Farm-City Week, 2002


                By the President of the United States of America


                A Proclamation


                Agriculture has always been a cornerstone of our 
                Nation's way of life. As wise stewards and innovative 
                entrepreneurs, our dedicated farmers and ranchers 
                improve our well-being by working to ensure a healthy 
                and abundant agricultural supply. To succeed in this 
                important enterprise, our farmers rely on essential 
                partnerships with urban communities to supply, sell, 
                and deliver finished products across the country and 
                around the world. During National Farm-City Week, we 
                recognize the importance of this cooperative network to 
                the success of America's agricultural industry.


                Farming was America's first industry. Today, this 
                industry provides us with many of the necessities of 
                life, such as food, clothing, and,increasingly, fuel 
                for our energy needs. Agriculture employs more than 24 
                million workers including farmers, shippers, 
                processors, marketers, grocers, truck drivers, 
                inspectors, and others who annually contribute more 
                than $1.3 trillion to our gross domestic product. In 
                the international market, our farmers export more than 
                $50 billion in products that help feed people in 
                countries around the world. As we welcome new 
                opportunities for trade, the hard work and successful 
                cooperation between farmers and city workers will 
                continue to play a vital role in our Nation's success 
                and will continue to be a critical resource for 
                countless people here at home and around the globe.


                My Administration remains committed to helping the 
                millions of Americans who work in the agricultural 
                industry. Earlier this year, I signed the Farm Security 
                and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to support these 
                important workers and to strengthen the farm economy. 
                This Act will help our farmers and ranchers by 
                providing financial assistance that encourages sound 
                conservation and environmental practices, and promotes 
                open trade. And to expand opportunities for our farmers 
                to compete in the inter national marketplace and 
                encourage further economic growth, my Administration is 
                committed to opening international markets and reducing 
                tariffs and other barriers to food distribution 
                throughout the world.


                Farm-city collaborations help maintain and improve our 
                Nation's food supply and contribute to a better quality 
                of life for countless citizens. With this Farm-City 
                Week observance, we commend the many Americans whose 
                hard work and ingenuity reflect the true spirit of 
                America and help ensure a prosperous future for all.


                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 November 22 through November 
                28, 2002, as National Farm-City Week. I call upon all 
                Americans, in rural and urban communities, to join in 
                recognizing the accomplishments of all those who work 
                together to produce and promote America's agricultural 
                abundance. I also encourage citizens to strengthen our 
                understanding of the American farm-city partnership by 
                participating in appropriate community events and 
                celebrations.


[[Page 70834]]


                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-second day of November, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand two, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.


                    (Presidential Sig.)B


[FR Doc. 02-30203
Filed 11-25-02; 8:47 am]

Billing code 3195-01-P