[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 68 (Tuesday, June 6, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S4562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SMURFIT-STONE CONTAINER'S MISSOULA MILL NAMED PLANT OF THE YEAR

 Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to bring your attention 
to the fact that the Smurfit-Stone Container Plant in Missoula, Montana 
has received the Jefferson Smurfit Group Worldwide Award as plant of 
the year.
  As you know, Montana's wood products industry has been hit extremely 
hard with federal regulation and the lack of available federal fiber to 
keep our mills running. Despite these hardships, our mill workers and 
managers continue to take great pride in their work and continue to do 
the best with the hand they have been dealt.
  The result is that Missoula's Smurfit-Stone Container employees have 
ensured that their mill rose above the other 563 Smurfit facilities 
world wide and defined themselves as being able to increase 
productivity and reduce operating costs while actually improving safety 
and the quality of production.
  These accomplishments were worker driven and accompanied a 20% 
reduction of OSHA incidents last year. Some times efficiency comes at 
the expense of safety or environmental responsibility. This is not the 
case at the Missoula plant. In addition to reducing injuries, the plant 
was able to increase paper efficiency while reducing waste, energy 
consumption and maintenance costs. While Montana's wood products 
industry relies on renewable natural resources, we are keenly aware 
that these resources must be conserved and used responsibly. Smurfit-
Stone container consistently looks for ways to make the fiber available 
to them go as far as possible. It makes sense from both a business and 
an environmental standpoint, and it is a goal that makes them one of 
the top employers in Montana.
  As I mentioned, Montana has been hit extremely hard by federal 
restrictions on the wood products industry. As a result we have lost 17 
mills in Montana over the last decade. These mills provided jobs for 
thousands of families and numerous communities. While times are 
extremely tough, Montanans involved in the industry still take great 
pride in what they do. This is reflected in the honor recently bestowed 
on the Missoula Smurfit-Stone Container paper mill. Clearly, this mill 
deserves recognition not only by their parent group, but by Congress as 
well.

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