[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 9, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S537-S538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 411--RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY OF
THE UNITED STATES HARDWOODS INDUSTRY AND URGING THAT UNITED STATES
HARDWOODS AND THE PRODUCTS DERIVED FROM UNITED STATES HARDWOODS BE
GIVEN FULL CONSIDERATION IN ANY PROGRAM TO PROMOTE CONSTRUCTION OF
ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE COMMERCIAL, PUBLIC, OR PRIVATE BUILDINGS
Mrs. LINCOLN (for herself and Mr. Chambliss) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry:
S. Res. 411
Whereas hardwood trees grown in the United States are an
abundant, sustainable, and legal resource, as documented
annually by the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program of the
Forest Service;
Whereas, despite development pressure and cropland needs,
Department of Agriculture data show that the inventory of
United States hardwood has more than doubled over the past 50
years;
Whereas the Department of Agriculture reports that annual
United States hardwood growth exceeds hardwood removals by a
significant margin of 1.9 to 1, and net annual growth has
exceeded removals continuously since 1952;
Whereas the World Bank ranks the United States in the top
10 percent of all countries for government effectiveness,
regulatory quality, and rule of law with respect to hardwood
resources;
Whereas United States hardwoods have been awarded the
highest conservation crop rating available under the
Department of Agriculture Environmental Benefits Index;
Whereas United States hardwoods are net absorbers of carbon
and are widely recognized to be critical to reducing the
United States carbon footprint;
Whereas United States hardwoods are a valuable raw material
that, when used properly, provide an incentive for landowners
to
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maintain their land in a forested condition rather than
clearing the land for development or other alternative land
use;
Whereas United States hardwoods are a renewable resource
and bio-based material;
Whereas United States hardwoods are recyclable, and
hardwoods used in construction can often be restored and
reused in later construction;
Whereas United States hardwoods are grown primarily in
those States located along or east of the Mississippi River
and in the Pacific Northwest, but, with a presence in every
State, the hardwood industry is 1 of the major sources of
economic activity and sustenance in many rural communities;
Whereas United States hardwoods are grown by thousands of
small family landowners who may harvest trees only once or
twice in a generation; and
Whereas United States hardwoods and the products derived
from United States hardwoods are prized throughout the world
as a superior and long-lasting building material: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes that United States hardwoods are an
abundant, sustainable, and legal resource under United States
law; and
(2) urges that United States hardwoods and products derived
from United States hardwoods should be given full
consideration in any program to promote construction of
environmentally preferable commercial, public, or private
buildings.
Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduced a resolution
with my colleague, Mr. Chambliss of Georgia, recognizing hardwood trees
as an abundant, sustainable and renewable resource. Specifically, the
resolution states that the U.S. Senate
Recognizes that United States hardwoods are an abundant,
sustainable, and legal resource under United States law; and
urges that United States hardwoods and products derived from
United States hardwoods should be given full consideration in
any program to promote construction of environmentally
preferable commercial, public, or private buildings.
Hardwoods are found throughout the U.S., but they are a major
component of forests from New England, through the Lake States, and the
South-Central and Southeastern states. Hardwood inventories are
expected to increase by 27 percent over the next 40 years, according to
the Forest Service. Most of these forests are owned and managed by
families who make substantial investments in these lands, sometimes
without the expectation of timber income in their lifetimes. This
resolution recognizes the environmental qualities of hardwood lumber,
as well as the generational commitment of America's family forest
landowners who grow and nurture this valuable resource.
The Arkansas timber industry has suffered badly during the recession.
This resolution will provide new markets for our State's hardwood
growers, many of whom are small family landowners who may harvest trees
only once or twice in a generation. With more than 60 hardwood
facilities in Arkansas, the industry is an important piece of our
economy. Hardwood is valued world-wide as a superior and long-lasting
building material and I am proud to encourage their use.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a similar resolution, H.
Res. 81, on September 15, 2009, by voice vote. It enjoyed widespread,
bipartisan support and had more than 50 cosponsors. I urge my
colleagues join us in supporting U.S. hardwoods, the hardwood industry
and an abundant and renewable resource.
Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I am submitting a resolution today
recognizing that hardwood trees are an abundant and sustainable
resource in the United States, and that the products derived from
hardwood trees should be given full consideration in programs promoting
the construction of environmentally friendly buildings, including
commercial, public or private buildings. This resolution will hopefully
demonstrate Congress's support for the hardwood industry and that these
hardwood materials, a USA product, are sustainable building materials.
I invite and encourage all of my colleagues to cosponsor this
bipartisan resolution.
The Nation's forests are a bountiful resource. Not only do they
provide forest products and related jobs, but they also are prized for
their scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, and
maintaining clean air and water.
Today, about one-third of the Nation's landscape is forested. The
majority of this forestland, about 57 percent, is privately owned. In
my home State of Georgia, 24 million acres, about 67 percent of the
land, is covered by forests. These forests have a direct economic
impact of nearly $13 billion per year. About one-third of Georgia's
forests are hardwoods, which supports the nearly 300 hardwood
facilities in the State. Most of these are small, family owned
businesses, just as they are in the rest of the country. Unfortunately,
in Georgia and the rest of the country, this industry has been in
decline for more than a decade as paper and wood mills have closed and
158,000 jobs, many in rural areas, have been lost.
I hope that with this resolution my colleagues and the Nation
remember the numerous benefits of forests and hardwoods. They are a
sustainable and renewable resource and should be recognized for the
environmental benefits they provide.
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