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“SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE NATIONAL ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION AND NATIONAL ARBOR DAY” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H1889-H1890 on April 27, 2006.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE NATIONAL ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION
AND NATIONAL ARBOR DAY
Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 383) supporting the goals and ideals of the National Arbor Day Foundation and National Arbor Day, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Georgia?
Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the right to object.
(Mr. FORTENBERRY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, in 1872 an outstanding Nebraskan, J. Sterling Morton, began the tradition of Arbor Day to encourage tree planting. One hundred years later, another outstanding Nebraskan, John Rosenow, founded the National Arbor Day Foundation to promote Morton's original goals. Today, I have the pleasure of honoring the fruits of their labor. There are over 1 million members of this organization nationwide.
These two visionary leaders recognized that the simple action of planting a tree can protect the environment and provide resources and beauty for generations to come. Thanks to their efforts and inspiration, today America is a much greener, healthier, and more beautiful place. Because of their foresight, people from around the world enjoy a better quality of life. The planting of trees is a great reminder of our duty to take responsible actions now that will benefit our children and our grandchildren later.
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As J. Sterling Morton noted, ``Each generation of humanity takes the Earth as trustees.''
The resolution I introduced, House Concurrent Resolution 383, supports the goals and ideals of National Arbor Day and the National Arbor Day Foundation. I would like to begin expressing my sincere appreciation to the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis), the chairman of the Committee on Government Reform; and the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), the ranking member of the committee, for their help in bringing this resolution to the floor.
This resolution honors National Arbor Day, which our country will celebrate tomorrow. I encourage my colleagues and others to join in the celebration by planting a tree or by taking part in Arbor Day activities nationwide. By doing so, we can carry on the spirit and the tradition of J. Sterling Morton, who once observed, ``Other holidays repose on the past. Arbor Day proposes for the future.''
I urge support for this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Davis of Kentucky). Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Nebraska?
There was no objection.
The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:
H. Con. Res. 383
Whereas the National Arbor Day Foundation was founded in 1972 and now has nearly 1,000,000 members;
Whereas John Rosenow, President of the National Arbor Day Foundation, has provided outstanding leadership of the organization since its founding;
Whereas the mission of the National Arbor Day Foundation is to ``inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees'';
Whereas the National Arbor Day Foundation works to protect and enhance the global environment by promoting rainforest preservation, urban and community forestry, and the planting of trees throughout the world;
Whereas the National Arbor Day Foundation manages the 260-acre Arbor Day Farm to serve as a model of environmental stewardship;
Whereas National Arbor Day Foundation distributes more than 8,000,000 trees annually through its Trees for America program;
Whereas the National Arbor Day Foundation has worked with the United States Department of Agriculture's Forest Service since 1990, helping to plant nearly 4,000,000 trees in National Forests damaged by fire, insects, or other natural causes;
Whereas J. Sterling Morton recognized the need for trees in Nebraska and proposed a tree-planting holiday called ``Arbor Day'' in 1872;
Whereas it was estimated that more than 1,000,000 trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day in 1872;
Whereas the observation of Arbor Day soon spread to other States and is now observed nationally and in many other countries;
Whereas J. Sterling Morton once observed that ``The cultivation of trees is the culmination of the good, the beautiful, and the ennobling in man''; and
Whereas National Arbor Day, the last Friday in April, will be celebrated on April 28, 2006: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of the National Arbor Day Foundation; and
(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe National Arbor Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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