[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING TOM HAMILTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 20, 2001

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Tom Hamilton, 
who has been with the Forest Service for the past 37 years. Mr. 
Hamilton is retiring from federal service after serving as the Director 
of the Forest Products Laboratory, the nation's leading wood research 
institute located in Madison, Wisconsin.
  Tom has led the Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) in its dedication to 
solving societal problems related to the forest and its products by 
using the best scientific resources available. While some may not be 
aware, FPL is the public side of the public-private partnership needed 
to create technology for the long-terrn sustainability of our forests.
  Originally from Westfield, Wisconsin, Tom later graduated from UW-
Madison, with a B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. from the UW's Department of 
Agricultural Economics. He spent much of his career with the Forest 
Service at various forest research stations, and later with the Forest 
Service Washington Office. In 1994, Tom was appointed Director of FPL.
  As Director, Tom has led more than 250 scientists and support staff 
conduct research on expanded and diverse aspects of wood use, including 
pulp and paper products, housing and structural uses of wood, wood 
preservation, wood and fungi identification, and finishing and 
restoration of wood products. In addition to traditional lines of 
research, Under Tom's leadership, the Forest Products Laboratory has 
responded to environmental pressures on forest resources by using 
cutting-edge techniques to study recycling, developing environmentally 
friendly technology, and broadening the nation's understanding of 
ecosystem-based forest management.
  Through Tom's initiative, work is now ongoing at FPL towards new 
recycling technology, creating a new fiber resource, and reducing 
pressure on our precious forests.
  Tom's leadership of this important research resource has been a 
national treasure, and his many years of service with FPL and the 
Forest Service are commendable. As he transitions to a new phase of 
life following his retirement from public service, he will truly be 
missed.

                          ____________________