07 LC 25
4697
House
Resolution 92
By:
Representative Floyd of the
147th
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
February 1, 2007, as "Forestry Day at the Capitol" and inviting certain
officials of the Georgia Forestry Association to appear before the House of
Representatives; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Forestry Association (GFA), founded in 1907, is celebrating its
100th year of service to the state and a vast community of forest landowners,
businesses, and forestry professionals; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Forestry Association is one of the oldest conservation organizations
in the United States; and through the years GFA has worked with landowners in
protecting their property rights and adopting sound land management practices to
ensure that our forests are managed in a sustainable manner and continue to
provide clean air, clean water, soil conservation, wildlife habitat, beauty and
recreational opportunities; and
WHEREAS,
forestry is a leading industry in this state, creating more than 150,000 jobs
and having a $25 billion annual economic impact; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia's 24 million total acres of forests represent the major land use in the
state, occupying two-thirds of Georgia's total land area of 37 million acres;
and
WHEREAS,
ninety-two percent of Georgia's forestland–more than that of any other
state–is owned by thousands of private landowners; and
WHEREAS,
timber is the highest valued crop in this state, and Georgia remains one of the
top pulp and paper producing states in the nation; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia's forests are not only economically important but also provide vital
environmental, educational, and social benefits and hold the potential to make
Georgia a leader in the production of renewable fuels and nature tourism,
including hiking, birding, camping, and hunting; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Forestry Association is the sponsoring organization for the
Sustainable Forestry Initiative and thus promotes best management practices for
forestry, responsible wood procurement practices, wildlife habitat enhancement
and educational outreach to Georgia's forest landowners; and
WHEREAS,
it is only fitting and proper that the significant contributions of this
industry and organization to the welfare of this state be
recognized.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body recognize February 1, 2007, as "Forestry Day at the Capitol" in honor
of the significant contributions made to the welfare of this state by forestry
and the Georgia Forestry Association and invite president Earl Smith and
executive director Steve McWilliams of the Georgia Forestry Association to
appear before the House on such date and at such time as designated by the
Speaker of the House.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Georgia
Forestry Association.