[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 91 (Thursday, June 17, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S5109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          FOREST PRODUCTS LAB

 Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, the Forest Products Laboratory, FPL, 
in Madison, WI, was established in 1910 to ``promote healthy forest and 
forest-based economies through the efficient, sustainable use of 
American wood resources.'' This month we celebrate the 100 year 
anniversary of the establishment of the FPL. I would like to 
congratulate all past and present employees for the FPL for a century 
of service to the American public and their steadfast devotion to 
developing new and innovative usages for wood and wood products.
  Over the years their research has led to many improvements and 
breakthroughs in wood utilization. Early research at the laboratory 
focused on timber testing, wood preservation, and wood chemistry. 
Today, the mission of the FPL has never been more relevant. Our 
Nation's forest can help solve some of the greatest challenges our 
nation faces such as climate change and energy security. Forests 
contain a significant amount of small diameter wood that increases the 
risk of fire and disease. Finding new ways to utilize small diameter 
wood will improve forest health and has the potential to offset carbon 
emissions by utilizing wood, a renewable resource, as a building 
material. Right now, the Forest Products Laboratory is developing 
better ways to utilize small diameter wood for energy production and as 
a ``green'' building material. I am confident that the Forest Products 
Laboratory will continue to provide creative solutions to effectively 
manage our national wood resources and create a green economy.
  On behalf of our State and Nation, I thank the FPL for a century of 
research that has improved the lives of every American and the health 
of our Nation's forests.

                          ____________________