City of Visalia, California Proclaims John Muir Day

JOHN MUIR DAY
April 21, 1994

WHEREAS, April 21, 1994, marks the one hundred and fifty-fifth birthday of the great American conservationist John Muir, heralded worldwide for his dedication to the preservation of wilderness; and

WHEREAS, generations of Americans have reveled in the wonders of Sequoia, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and other parklands set aside by Congress at the urging of the Scottish-born naturalist; and

WHEREAS, the City of Visalia is the gateway to Sequoia National Park, which Muir helped to establish through his efforts in publicizing the value of the "Big Trees" in alliance with such notable citizens of Visalia's heritage as newspaper editor George Stewart; and

WHEREAS, California was the home of John Muir for many years, where Muir wrote books celebrating the natural beauty and wildlife of California and the United States, Books that are still widely read and treasured by people of all ages; and

WHEREAS, John Muir was a founder and first President of the Sierra Club, a California-based international organization which has fulfilled its mission to explore, enjoy, and protect the Earth for over 100 years; and

WHEREAS, John Muir's foresight beginning over 100 years ago confirms the importance of the Sierra Club's agenda for its second century to ? Preserve the Wild Planet, ? Protect the Global Commons [Oceans and Atmosphere], ? End the Toxic Threat, ? Stabilize World Population, and ? Build an environmentally sustainable economy; and

WHEREAS, the important role of an ecologically sound environment for the quality of life for all people was proselytized by the tireless voice and pen of John Muir;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Basil Perch, Mayor of the City of Visalia, do hereby proclaim April 21, 1994, as "John Muir Day", recognizing annual state proclamations of John Muir Day, and hereby encourage all citizens, schools, and appropriate organizations and agencies to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

BASIL PERCH, MAYOR