H*3584 Concurrent Resolution, By McLeod, Koon, Ott, Rhoad, Bowers, Frye, Harvin, 
Jennings, Littlejohn, Riser, Sharpe, Snow, Stuart, Webb, Witherspoon, Sheheen, 
Lucas, Delleney, Coleman and Harrison
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO MEMORIALIZE THE CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE
 UNITED STATES TO EXTEND THE CURRENT UNITED STATES - CANADA SOFTWOOD LUMBER
 AGREEMENT SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE MARCH 31, 2001, IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN AND
 ENCOURAGE OPEN AND COMPETITIVE SALES OF TIMBER.

   02/15/01  House  Introduced HJ-38
   02/15/01  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions HJ-39
   03/07/01  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions HJ-3
   03/08/01  House  Adopted, sent to Senate HJ-26
   03/13/01  Senate Introduced SJ-9
   03/13/01  Senate Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and
                     Industry SJ-9
   03/22/01  Senate Recalled from Committee on Labor, Commerce and
                     Industry SJ-4
   03/22/01  Senate Adopted, returned to House with concurrence SJ-4

March 7, 2001

    H. 3584

Introduced by Reps. McLeod, Koon, Ott, Rhoad, Bowers, Frye, Harvin, Jennings, Littlejohn, Riser, Sharpe, Snow, Stuart, Webb, Witherspoon, Coleman, Delleney, Harrison, Lucas and Sheheen

S. Printed 3/7/01--H.

Read the first time February 15, 2001.

    To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 3584) to memorialize the Congress and the President of the United States to extend the current United States - Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement scheduled to expire March 31, 2001, etc., respectfully

    That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

RONALD N. FLEMING, for Committee.

TO MEMORIALIZE THE CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO EXTEND THE CURRENT UNITED STATES - CANADA SOFTWOOD LUMBER AGREEMENT SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE MARCH 31, 2001, IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN AND ENCOURAGE OPEN AND COMPETITIVE SALES OF TIMBER.

Whereas, South Carolina's forest and wood products industry is a major contributor to the state's economy, generating over seven and one-half billion dollars annually and supporting twenty-six thousand jobs; and

Whereas, timber is South Carolina's leading cash crop with stumpage valued in excess of five hundred million dollars annually; and

Whereas, Canada provides government-owned timber to their lumber mills at rates far below market value, typically one-half to one-quarter of the actual timber value. This has given Canadian producers a tremendous competitive advantage; and

Whereas, these unfair practices have helped Canadian imports gain a thirty-seven percent share of the United States softwood lumber market; and

Whereas, highly subsidized lumber imports unfairly compete with South Carolina lumber companies and threaten to reduce the value of privately owned timberlands which represent seventy-two percent of the state's commercial forests; and

Whereas, the only protection for domestic lumber mills, jobs, and timber growers against these unfair market conditions is the United States - Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement on trade which will expire March 31, 2001. This agreement helps reduce the impact of the Canadian subsidiaries referenced above; and

Whereas, the value of standing timber, the viability of United States sawmills, and the role of forests in the southeast's economy will all decline if the United States - Canadian Softwood Lumber Agreement is allowed to expire. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly memorialize the Congress and the President of the United States to extend the current United States - Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement scheduled to expire March 31, 2001, in order to maintain and encourage open and competitive sales of timber.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the United States House of Representatives, the Senate, the President of the United States, and each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.