The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“UNITED STATES HARDWOODS INDUSTRY” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Senate section on pages S6980 on Aug. 5, 2010.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
UNITED STATES HARDWOODS INDUSTRY
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Agriculture Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 411, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 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.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, there be no intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 411) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
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 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.
____________________
