[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22067]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  COMMENDING WEYERHAEUSER CORPORATION

 Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the 
Weyerhaeuser Corporation for its assistance in the relief efforts and 
the rebuilding of the gulf coast that was devastated by Hurricane 
Katrina in August of 2005. This outstanding company has gone well 
beyond the call of duty, truly exemplifying community service.
  Weyerhaeuser was incorporated in 1900 and is one of the world's 
largest integrated forest product companies. Headquartered in Federal 
Way, WA, Weyerhaeuser employs over 49,000 people in 18 countries. In 
2005, Weyerhaeuser recorded sales of $22.6 billion and managed more 
than 6.5 million acres of timberland in nine States.
  On November 29, 2006, Weyerhaeuser received the Ron Brown Award, the 
only Presidential award to honor companies ``for their exemplary 
quality of their relationships with employees and communities.'' The 
Ron Brown Award, originally established by President Bill Clinton, is 
named after the late Secretary of Commerce who believed that 
``businesses do well by doing good.''
  I am honored to have such a dedicated company operating in 
Mississippi in places such as Magnolia, Philadelphia, Richland, 
Columbus and Bruce. Weyerhaeuser has been operating in Mississippi 
since 1956 with approximately 1,700 employees at 14 locations, as well 
as 776,000 acres of timberland.
  To date, over 300 employees and retirees from across the United 
States have volunteered more than 42,000 hours of their time, helped 
rebuild more than 50 homes, and contributed more than $2.8 million for 
disaster relief. Weyerhaeuser has a generous policy of allowing 
employees 2 to 4 weeks of paid leave to help volunteer in the 
rebuilding efforts of the gulf coast.
  The people touched by Weyerhaeuser's response say it best. As one 
family wrote in response to help from Weyerhaeuser volunteers, 
``Because of all your efforts, we are home! Words cannot truly express 
the outpouring of love we have received. We are eternally grateful to 
our Weyerhaeuser family.''
  The high caliber of Weyerhaeuser employees can be seen in their 
comments after volunteering on the gulf coast. One man noted, ``The 
days were long and hot, the work was intense, but the rewards were 
immeasurable. This has been an experience I won't soon forget.'' 
Another volunteer employee commented, ``This experience was such a 
blessing. I got so much more from it than I felt I gave.'' One 
Weyerhaeuser retiree said, ``Having once more the opportunity to work 
side by side with other Weyerhaeuser employees and retirees made me 
realize anew why I enjoyed working for Weyerhaeuser so much. It's all 
about the people and the values the company ascribes to. Thanks 
again.'' Testimonies such as these speak volumes about Weyerhaeuser's 
dedication to its employees and others.
  I cannot thank the company enough for the work they have done and 
continue to do. It is truly deserving of such a prestigious award, and 
I am delighted to see Weyerhaeuser's efforts have been 
recognized.

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