SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 452

WHEREAS, The Texas Forestry Association is sponsoring a seedling giveaway on March 21, 2007, in an effort to promote public awareness of forestry and the importance of the state's timber resources; and

WHEREAS, The forest industry and family forest owners plant more than 100 million seedlings annually in order to maintain sustainable forests for future generations of Texans; and

WHEREAS, Covering more than 12 million acres, the forests in East Texas provide the state with over 75,000 jobs, a payroll exceeding $2.7 billion, and a total economic impact of more than $30.6 billion, making timber a valuable agricultural commodity statewide; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1914 by a group of dedicated conservationists, the Texas Forestry Association is a nonprofit organization of landowners, businesses, and other professionals united by a common goal to advance forestry, promote conservation practices, and enhance and perpetuate the state's forest resource; the association offers programs such as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Tree Farm, which sponsors the annual Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year contest; winners of the 2006 award, Bill and Jill Russell, have earned the opportunity to advance to the next levels of competition, the Southern Regional and National Designation levels; moreover, the Texas Forestry Association recently recognized the forest stewardship of John W. and Walta Pippen Cooke with the 2007 Texas Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year award; and

WHEREAS, The Texas Forestry Association has tirelessly striven to ensure that abundant forests remain a dependable resource for the citizens of Texas, and under the current and able leadership of President Tom Boggus, the association will undoubtedly continue to contribute to the economic vitality and beauty of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th Legislature, hereby recognize the Texas Forestry Association on the occasion of its seedling giveaway and commend the more than 3,000 members of the association for their exemplary reforestation efforts and advocacy; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for the Texas Forestry Association as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Nichols

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 12, 2007.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate