Political Quotes

“Mr. President, in support of National Forest Products Week and in my role as a cochair of the Senate Paper and Packaging Caucus, I would like to recognize the almost 20,000 hard-working men and women employed by the forest products industry in the great State of Arkansas. Arkansas is home to over 90 wood products, paper, and packaging manufacturing facilities that make over $8 billion in products annually and contribute over $1.2 billion to the State and local economies through wages and compensation. The forest products industry plays a valuable role in the life of every American, every day. From paper and packaging to wood products, tissue, and other personal care items, paper and wood products are at the heart of modern life and a modern economy. In total, the industry employs about 900,000 Americans nationwide and manufactures over $280 billion in products every year. That is nearly 4 percent of the current U.S. manufacturing GDP. In addition to cochairing the Paper and Packaging Caucus, I am also a cochair of the Senate Recycling Caucus. In this dual capacity, I have seen the success the forest products industry has had in pairing economic growth with respect for the environment. Be it through the use of carbon-neutral biomass energy or the successful implementation of voluntary recycling programs that now reach 96 percent of Americans, the forest products industry is leading by example.…”