III 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 576 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 22 (legislative day, September 21), 2012 Mr. Cochran (for himself, Mr. Wicker, Ms. Collins, and Ms. Snowe) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the signing of Public Law 87-788, an Act commonly known as the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act.

Whereas October 10, 2012, marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of Public Law 87–788 (commonly known as the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act) (16 U.S.C. 582a et seq.), which authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to encourage and assist States in conducting a program of forestry research; Whereas the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act was named for the 2 primary, bipartisan sponsors of the Act, Representative Clifford G. McIntire of Maine and Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi, who recognized that research in forestry is the driving force behind progress in developing and utilizing the Nation’s forests; Whereas the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act recognized that forestry research would be more effective nationwide if efforts among State-supported institutions of higher education were partnered and more closely coordinated with forestry research activities in the Federal Government; Whereas Congressman McIntire and Senator Stennis stated a clear intent to address the important need of the United States for increased numbers of highly trained forestry scientists and other research professionals; Whereas the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act has provided 5 decades of base funding to establish and strengthen research and training capacity in forestry at State-supported institutions of higher education; Whereas funds provided by the Act to State-supported institutions of higher education are highly leveraged with non-Federal funds; Whereas university-based forestry research has provided an accumulated wealth of science-based knowledge, skills, and technologies that have been critical for sustaining United States forests for economic, ecological, and social benefits; Whereas funds provided by the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act for forestry research at State-supported institutions of higher education have provided significant graduate student support over the last 50 years, resulting in 8,500 master’s degrees and 2,600 doctoral degrees; Whereas the State-supported institutions of higher education that receive funds under the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act conduct forestry research in all 50 States and 4 territories of the United States, and disseminate the results of those efforts locally, regionally, nationally, and globally for the betterment of the communities of the institutions, the United States, and the world; and Whereas many State-supported institutions of higher education are celebrating and commemorating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)celebrates the 50th anniversary of the signing of Public Law 87–788 (commonly known as the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act) (16 U.S.C. 582a et seq.) by President John F. Kennedy; (2)encourages the people of the United States to observe and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act with appropriate ceremonies and activities; (3)affirms the continuing importance and vitality of the State-supported institutions of higher education conducting forestry research and training supported by the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act; and (4)respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit to the National Association of University Forest Resources Programs an enrolled copy of this resolution for appropriate display.