[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 130 (Tuesday, September 15, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H9513-H9514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING FOREST SERVICE EXPERIMENTAL FORESTS

  Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 95) recognizing the importance of 
the Department of Agriculture Forest Service Experimental Forests and 
Ranges.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 95

       Whereas the general provisions of the Act of June 4, 1897 
     (commonly known as the Organic Administration Act of 1897; 16 
     U.S.C. 551) and section 4 of the Forest and Rangeland 
     Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1643) 
     authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to designate 
     experimental forests and ranges;
       Whereas, in 2008, the Department of Agriculture celebrated 
     the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the first 
     experimental forest at Fort Valley, Arizona, which eventually 
     led to the creation of 77 additional experimental forests and 
     ranges within the National Forest System;
       Whereas the network of experimental forests and ranges 
     provides places for long-term science and management studies 
     in major vegetation types of the 195 million acres of public 
     land administered by the Forest Service;
       Whereas research at these experimental forests and ranges 
     has provided critical information to the public, such as 
     recognition of acid rain based on long-term precipitation 
     chemistry data at Hubbard Brook, New Hampshire, 
     characterization of old-growth Douglas-fir forests and 
     ecology of the northern spotted owl, which set the stage for 
     conservation planning in the Pacific Northwest, improved 
     understanding of the science of forest hydrology, which was 
     derived from long-term studies in experimental forests, 
     especially Coweeta, and the forest and rangeland management 
     systems built from foundation studies at many experimental 
     properties; and
       Whereas experimental forests and ranges provide 
     opportunities to study the resources of the United States, 
     including knowledge of forest and stream ecosystems, long-
     term records of climate, forest dynamics, hydrology, and 
     other ecosystem components, information about long-term field 
     experiments and opportunities to participate in them, access 
     to a cadre of knowledgeable scientists, and access to 
     thousands of publications about natural resource management 
     and ecosystem science: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress recognizes the important 
     contributions that the 77 experimental forests and ranges 
     within the National Forest System have made in understanding 
     and conserving the environment and ensuring that natural 
     resources in the United States remain a source of pride and 
     enjoyment.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Holden) and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
this resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 95 recognizes the 100th anniversary of the 
first experimental forest established by the United States Department 
of Agriculture in Fort Valley, Arizona, and recognizes the importance 
of these living laboratories.
  Today there are 77 experimental forests and ranges within the 
National Forest System. Experimental forests and ranges are valuable 
and dynamic resources that serve as long-term research sites.
  As part of the U.S. Forest Services' research and development 
efforts, these experimental forests and ranges provide valuable data 
about various climates, forest types, vegetation, soils, ecosystems, 
glaciers and watersheds and other essential components of our Nation's 
vast natural terrain.
  I want to congratulate the United States Forest Service for their 
outstanding work to establish and maintain this nationwide network of 
experimental forests and ranges over the past 100 years and encourage 
my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution offered by the 
gentleman from Mississippi. This resolution recognizes the 100th 
anniversary of the first experimental forest, which was created in 
1908, at Fort Valley, Arizona. Today, there are 78 of these forests in 
30 States contributing valuable research and knowledge to help us 
better manage one of our most precious natural resources, our 750 
million acres of forests across America.
  Experimental forests allow the Forest Service to engage in important 
research on the threats that our forests face such as invasive species 
and diseases. These forests allow for Federal research to be conducted 
on plant and wildlife communities in controlled settings. We know about 
how best to ensure the health of our forests, rangelands and 
watersheds, and share their knowledge with States, localities and 
private landowners.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Childers).

[[Page H9514]]

  Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to recognize the 100th 
anniversary of the establishment of the first experimental forest at 
Fort Valley, Arizona, by the Department of Agriculture Forest Service. 
Experimental forests and ranges provide places for long-term science 
and management studies in many of the major vegetation types across the 
country.
  Fort Valley, the first experimental forest research station, 
established in 1908, as was mentioned earlier, was used to study how 
the ponderosa pine regenerates as the entire forest was being decimated 
through extensive logging, yet was not regrowing. Recommendations 
derived from research at Fort Valley were the basis of many U.S. Forest 
Service management practices that now allow us to responsibly log our 
forests so that they continue to produce.
  The 80 experimental forests and ranges in existence today play an 
integral role in our Nation's ability to maintain healthy forests and 
establish responsible forestry practices. Thirty-five States have one 
or more experimental forests, including three in my home State of 
Mississippi.
  Experimental forests and ranges provide samples of many ecological 
and environmental conditions across the United States. They support 
many forms of multisite research, monitoring and data sharing that 
address questions at regional and national scales.
  As a tree farmer, I understand the vital role that experimental 
forests and ranges play in keeping myself and other tree farmers at the 
forefront of forestry research. As we continue to face challenges such 
as new diseases and invasive species in the forestry industry, 
experimental forests and ranges will be the key to finding solutions to 
these challenges and ensuring America's tree farmers continue to be 
competitive and profitable.
  So I ask my colleagues, Members on both sides of the aisle today, to 
join me in recognizing the 100th anniversary of the establishment of 
experimental forests and support the passage of this resolution.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I join the ranking member of the full 
committee, Mr. Lucas from Oklahoma, in urging adoption of this 
resolution and yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Holden) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 95.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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