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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 47
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEBAS
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To commend and recognize the American Forest and Paper Association's member
companies.
WHEREAS, Americans have always taken pride in their nation's rich bounty of
natural resources, and careful stewardship of these precious assets is essential if future
generations are to enjoy and benefit from them; and
WHEREAS, the forest product industry, an essential component of the nation's
economy-sustaining businesses, families, and rural communities since its founding, is
comprised of more than one million five hundred thousand employees and ranks among the
top ten manufacturing employers in forty-six states; and
WHEREAS, close to one-third of the nation's land is forested, the vital importance
of the industry underscores the necessity for intelligent management of the over seven
hundred thirty-six million acres of America's forest land; and
WHEREAS, the forest product industry relies on forest resources to make this
country one of the leading producers of paper, furniture, lumber, and other wood products,
and to meet society's increasing demand for wood and wood-related products important to
our nation's quality of life; and
WHEREAS, the United States forest products industry, in recognition of its
stewardship responsibilities in nurturing the forest resources, has pledged itself to the
continuing principles of sustainable forestry by initiating the Sustainable Forestry Initiative
program, a comprehensive program committed to responsible environmental stewardship
of the forest, water resources, and wildlife; and ENROLLEDHCR NO. 47
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WHEREAS, the goal of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative program is to educate the
public as to the importance of industry leadership in voluntarily protecting these valuable
resources, and to promote and monitor progress made toward this worthy goal; and
WHEREAS, the American Forest and Paper Association's member companies are
actively demonstrating a commitment to the principles of sustainable forestry and are
benchmarking this commitment by implementing Sustainable Forestry Initiative program
principles and practices, such as prompt reforestation and protection of water quality and
wildlife habitat.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend and recognize the American Forest and Paper Association's member companies
for its commitment to the responsible use of natural resources, and commends the creation
and implementation of Sustainable Forestry Initiative programs as a means to this end.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE