Senate Concurrent Resolution 663

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING JUNE 12, 2016, AS THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN TREE FARM SYSTEM, RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS VITAL PROGRAM TO WATER, WILDLIFE AND WOOD SUPPLY.

WHEREAS, forests, covering one-third of the land in the United States, provide all Americans, including the residents of Mississippi, with clean drinking water, clean air, abundant wildlife habitat, recreational space, renewable wood for buildings, furniture, energy and paper needs, as well as good-paying jobs across our state; and

WHEREAS, most of our nation's forests are owned by the people who make Mississippi and our country great: families and individuals; and

WHEREAS, seventy-five years ago, the American Tree Farm System was founded to help family and individual woodland owners sustain their forests and protect the benefits we receive from them; and

WHEREAS, with 2,650 individuals and families, who combined own 759,502 acres of forested land in Mississippi, the American Tree Farm System remains a strong and essential program today to conserve our state's forests and their benefits, especially in the face of growing pressures such as wildfires, insects and diseases, and development pressures; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi joined the American Tree Farm System in 1944 and currently has one of the strongest tree farm programs in the nation; and

WHEREAS, tree farmers invest time, manpower and personal funds to practice sustainable forest management on their land so everyone can enjoy the benefits these forests provide; and

WHEREAS, the American Tree Farm System is made possible by volunteers from local county forestry associations, conservation organizations, forest products companies, university extensions and our own Mississippi Forestry Association; and

WHEREAS, we endeavor to support our family forests and family woodland owners and will continue to do so to help expand the reach of the American Tree Farm System to additional woodland owners:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby proclaim June 12, 2016, as the 75th Anniversary of the American Tree Farm System, calling upon all residents of Mississippi to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities that recognize the importance of this vital program, our family-owned forests, and the clean water, wildlife habitat and wood supply they provide for all Americans.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the Mississippi Forestry Commission and the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce for distribution, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.