[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 48 (Thursday, April 27, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H1889-H1890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE NATIONAL ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION 
                         AND NATIONAL ARBOR DAY

  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration 
of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 383) supporting the goals 
and ideals of the National Arbor Day Foundation and National Arbor Day, 
and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Georgia?
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the right to object.
  (Mr. FORTENBERRY asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, in 1872 an outstanding Nebraskan, J. 
Sterling Morton, began the tradition of Arbor Day to encourage tree 
planting. One hundred years later, another outstanding Nebraskan, John 
Rosenow, founded the National Arbor Day Foundation to promote Morton's 
original goals. Today, I have the pleasure of honoring the fruits of 
their labor. There are over 1 million members of this organization 
nationwide.
  These two visionary leaders recognized that the simple action of 
planting a tree can protect the environment and provide resources and 
beauty for generations to come. Thanks to their efforts and 
inspiration, today America is a much greener, healthier, and more 
beautiful place. Because of their foresight, people from around the 
world enjoy a better quality of life. The planting of trees is a great 
reminder of our duty to take responsible actions now that will benefit 
our children and our grandchildren later.

                              {time}  1800

  As J. Sterling Morton noted, ``Each generation of humanity takes the 
Earth as trustees.''
  The resolution I introduced, House Concurrent Resolution 383, 
supports the goals and ideals of National Arbor Day and the National 
Arbor Day Foundation. I would like to begin expressing my sincere 
appreciation to the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis), 
the chairman of the Committee on Government Reform; and the 
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), the ranking 
member of the committee, for their help in bringing this resolution to 
the floor.
  This resolution honors National Arbor Day, which our country will 
celebrate tomorrow. I encourage my colleagues and others to join in the 
celebration by planting a tree or by taking part in Arbor Day 
activities nationwide. By doing so, we can carry on the spirit and the 
tradition of J. Sterling Morton, who once observed, ``Other holidays 
repose on the past. Arbor Day proposes for the future.''
  I urge support for this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Davis of Kentucky). Is there objection 
to the request of the gentleman from Nebraska?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 383

       Whereas the National Arbor Day Foundation was founded in 
     1972 and now has nearly 1,000,000 members;

[[Page H1890]]

       Whereas John Rosenow, President of the National Arbor Day 
     Foundation, has provided outstanding leadership of the 
     organization since its founding;
       Whereas the mission of the National Arbor Day Foundation is 
     to ``inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees'';
       Whereas the National Arbor Day Foundation works to protect 
     and enhance the global environment by promoting rainforest 
     preservation, urban and community forestry, and the planting 
     of trees throughout the world;
       Whereas the National Arbor Day Foundation manages the 260-
     acre Arbor Day Farm to serve as a model of environmental 
     stewardship;
       Whereas National Arbor Day Foundation distributes more than 
     8,000,000 trees annually through its Trees for America 
     program;
       Whereas the National Arbor Day Foundation has worked with 
     the United States Department of Agriculture's Forest Service 
     since 1990, helping to plant nearly 4,000,000 trees in 
     National Forests damaged by fire, insects, or other natural 
     causes;
       Whereas J. Sterling Morton recognized the need for trees in 
     Nebraska and proposed a tree-planting holiday called ``Arbor 
     Day'' in 1872;
       Whereas it was estimated that more than 1,000,000 trees 
     were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day in 1872;
       Whereas the observation of Arbor Day soon spread to other 
     States and is now observed nationally and in many other 
     countries;
       Whereas J. Sterling Morton once observed that ``The 
     cultivation of trees is the culmination of the good, the 
     beautiful, and the ennobling in man''; and
       Whereas National Arbor Day, the last Friday in April, will 
     be celebrated on April 28, 2006: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of the National Arbor Day 
     Foundation; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe 
     National Arbor Day with appropriate ceremonies and 
     activities.
  The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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