Senate Concurrent Resolution 619

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CREATING A PRIVATE/PUBLIC FOREST PRODUCTS AND FURNITURE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO ADVISE STATE LEADERS ON ISSUES FACING THE INDUSTRY CLUSTER AND TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR COLLABORATIVE ACTION TO ADDRESS ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES.

WHEREAS, the forest products and furniture economic cluster is an integral and valuable sector of Mississippi's economy; and

WHEREAS, this economic cluster is a major employer in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the needs of the businesses in this economic sector are often overlooked in terms of value-added innovations, technical assistance and workforce skills training; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for a coordinated strategic plan to maximize the potential and the economic contribution of the forest products and furniture industries of this state; and

WHEREAS, a need exists for a joint private/public partnership council to aid state leaders in addressing the challenges and opportunities of this vital economic sector of our state economy; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for the continuation of efforts to strengthen the forest products and furniture economic sectors of the state beginning with the joint public/private Pathways to Forestry in 1982; the creation of the Land, Water & Timber Resources Board in 2000; the Task Force for the Strategic Initiative for Forest-Based Economic Development in 2001; and the Forest Products & Furniture Cluster Study and related efforts in 2002-2003:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That in recognition of the need for a joint private/public council to advise state leaders in developing a coordinated plan to address the challenges and opportunities for this vital economic sector of our state's economy and to promote collaboration among the private and public sectors to address issues, challenges and opportunities facing the industry cluster, a forest products and furniture development council is created.

The council may be composed of the executive directors, presidents, or their designees, from the following organizations: MS Forestry Association, MS Loggers Association, MS Lumber Manufacturers Association, furniture producers, MS Wildlife Federation, MS Institute for Forest Inventory, MS Technology Alliance, MS Forestry Commission, MS Land, Water and Timber Resources Board, MS Development Authority; MS universities and community colleges and any other state agency or private organization that the council deems desirable to enhance this economic cluster.

To promote the industry development focus of the council, a private sector representative shall be appointed by the council to serve as chairman of the council. The Mississippi Technology Alliance shall solicit membership on the council and shall convene the council for a meeting for the purpose of organizing the council and establishing rules for transacting its business as soon as practicable after the passage of this resolution.

In accomplishing its duties, the council may elicit the support of and participation by any commercial, industrial, governmental, environmental and public interest organizations or associations, or individual members thereof, and any federal, state and local agencies and political entities as may be necessary or appropriate in the furtherance of the duties of the council.

All agencies, departments, offices and institutions of the state, including the state universities and the community colleges, shall cooperate with the council with such assistance as requested by the council.