07 LC
96 2099
Senate
Resolution 135
By:
Senators Tolleson of the 20th, Bulloch of the 11th, Hill of the 4th, Johnson of
the 1st, Meyer von Bremen of the 12th and others
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
February 1, 2007, as "Forestry Day at the Capitol"; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Forestry Association (GFA), founded in 1907, is celebrating its
100th year of service to the state and to 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 $25 billion annual economic impact in this state; 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,
92 percent of Georgia's forestland is owned by private landowners, more than in
any other state; and
WHEREAS,
timber is the highest value 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, 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 to the welfare
of this state of this industry and organization be recognized.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE 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.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Georgia Forestry
Association.