House Concurrent Resolution 56

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY FOR RECEIVING THE RON BROWN AWARD FOR CORPORATE LEADERSHIP FOR ITS DISASTER RESPONSE EFFORTS WHICH CONCENTRATED IN MISSISSIPPI'S COASTAL COMMUNITIES.

WHEREAS, Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest integrated forest products companies, incorporated in 1900, was presented the 2006 Ron Brown Award for Corporate Leadership at a White House ceremony on November 29, 2006, in recognition of its disaster relief efforts following the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes, specifically its guide, Rebuilding a Community: An Employer's Guide to Assisting Employees in Disaster; and

WHEREAS, Weyerhaeuser's disaster response efforts provided a guide to helping employees in crisis anchored by an on-site liaison and unprecedented loaned-employee program, and has been lauded by Homeland Security as the gold standard for disaster relief programs and serves as a benchmark by relief organizations; and

WHEREAS, in the days following Hurricane Katrina, which became the nation's worst natural disaster after it hit the Gulf Coast August 29, 2005, Weyerhaeuser established a senior management committee, authorized donations of cash and building materials and appointed an experienced disaster coordinator, and more than a year after Katrina, the company remains at work helping Gulf Coast communities with combined disaster relief and support totaling more than $2.8 million to date; and

WHEREAS, within days after the disaster, Weyerhaeuser's disaster coordinator was in coastal Mississippi advocating for impacted employees and retirees, serving as a liaison with relief agencies and insurance companies; and

WHEREAS, the company established its unique loaned-employee program, which covers salaries plus the costs of travel and up to 60 days of living and meal expenses for employees who participate in rebuilding projects for employees, retirees and community members; and

WHEREAS, more standard programs were established to help the 128 impacted Weyerhaeuser families, including professional counseling, an adopt-a-family and employee-to-employee donation fund; and

WHEREAS, working with North Carolina Baptist Builders, Weyerhaeuser's loaned-employee rebuilding work has centered around three Mississippi communities where the company has operations: Long Beach/Gulfport, McComb and Magnolia, Mississippi, in addition to the New Orleans area, where retirees suffered damage; and

WHEREAS, to date, approximately 300 employees and retirees from across the United States and Canada have volunteered more than 42,000 hours and helped rebuild 50 homes as part of the loaned-employee program; and

WHEREAS, Weyerhaeuser's comprehensive disaster relief efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita not only earned the forest products company national acclaim through the receipt of a national corporate award, but demonstrated the company's citizenship commitment to making a difference in the communities where employees live and work; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the commitment of corporate employers, such as Weyerhaeuser Company's magnanimous efforts to make themselves completely available to aid its employees, retirees and the communities in which these individuals reside:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Weyerhaeuser Company upon receiving the 2006 Ron Brown Award for Corporate Leadership at a White House ceremony on November 29, 2006, in recognition of its disaster relief efforts, and extend a most heartfelt appreciation for helping our fellow Mississippians weather the storm and express warmest wishes for continued success in all its future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Weyerhaeuser Company and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.