By: Ratliff S.R. No. 625 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, Texans have always taken great pride in our state's 1-2 rich bounty of natural resources, and the careful stewardship of 1-3 these precious assets is essential if future generations are to 1-4 benefit from them; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The forest products industry has been at the 1-6 forefront of responsible land use, and with the inauguration of the 1-7 Sustainable Forestry Initiative, the principles of conservation and 1-8 continuity that ensure the future of forestry will be disseminated 1-9 through the ongoing education of landowners, foresters, and 1-10 loggers; the initiative also provides for the monitoring of 1-11 industry adherence to these guidelines; and 1-12 WHEREAS, An essential component of the Texas economy, the 1-13 forest products industry comprises more than 61,000 employees, 1-14 representing nearly six percent of the state's manufacturing 1-15 workforce, and the vital importance of the industry underscores the 1-16 necessity for intelligent management of the state's more than 19 1-17 million acres of forest land; now, therefore, be it 1-18 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 75th Texas Legislature 1-19 hereby recognize the state's forest products industry for its 1-20 commitment to responsible use of natural resources and commend the 1-21 creation of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative as a means to 1-22 this end. 1-23 ______________________________________ 1-24 President of the Senate 1-25 I hereby certify that the above 1-26 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-1 on May 19, 1997. 2-2 ______________________________________ 2-3 Secretary of the Senate 2-4 ______________________________________ 2-5 Member, Texas Senate