1-1     By:  Ratliff                                           S.R. No. 625

 1-2           (In the Senate - Filed April 30, 1997; May 1, 1997, read

 1-3     first time and referred to Committee on Administration;

 1-4     May 9, 1997, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 7,

 1-5     Nays 0; May 9, 1997, sent to printer.)

 1-6                              SENATE RESOLUTION

 1-7           WHEREAS, Texans have always taken great pride in our state's

 1-8     rich bounty of natural resources, and the careful stewardship of

 1-9     these precious assets is essential if future generations are to

1-10     benefit from them; and

1-11           WHEREAS, The forest products industry has been at the

1-12     forefront of responsible land use, and with the inauguration of the

1-13     Sustainable Forestry Initiative, the principles of conservation and

1-14     continuity that ensure the future of forestry will be disseminated

1-15     through the ongoing education of landowners, foresters, and

1-16     loggers; the initiative also provides for the monitoring of

1-17     industry adherence to these guidelines; and

1-18           WHEREAS, An essential component of the Texas economy, the

1-19     forest products industry comprises more than 61,000 employees,

1-20     representing nearly six percent of the state's manufacturing

1-21     workforce, and the vital importance of the industry underscores the

1-22     necessity for intelligent management of the state's more than 19

1-23     million acres of forest land; now, therefore, be it

1-24           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 75th Texas Legislature

1-25     hereby recognize the state's forest products industry for its

1-26     commitment to responsible use of natural resources and commend the

1-27     creation of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative as a means to this

1-28     end.

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