[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

[[Page S538]]

     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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