S*0989 Concurrent Resolution, By I.E. Lourie, McConnell, Passailaigue and 
Washington
 A Concurrent Resolution to memorialize Congress to enact Senate Bills 942 and
 943 giving priority for planting and maintaining trees under federal forestry
 programs to areas that have suffered tree loss due to environmental disasters.

   05/14/91  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-8
   05/15/91  House  Introduced HJ-9
   05/15/91  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions HJ-9
   05/16/91  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions HJ-40
   05/30/91  House  Adopted, returned to Senate with concurrence HJ-85

May 30, 1991

S. 989

Introduced by SENATORS Lourie, Passailaigue, Washington and McConnell

S. Printed 5/30/91--S.

Read the first time May 14, 1991.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO MEMORIALIZE CONGRESS TO ENACT SENATE BILLS 942 AND 943 GIVING PRIORITY FOR PLANTING AND MAINTAINING TREES UNDER FEDERAL FORESTRY PROGRAMS TO AREAS THAT HAVE SUFFERED TREE LOSS DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS.

Whereas, the strength and health of our environment is dependent upon a well-balanced ecosystem; and

Whereas, an integral component of a properly functioning ecosystem is adequately forested land; and

Whereas, the extensive loss of trees through natural disasters or by other means disturbs this balance making the environment more vulnerable to pollution and destruction; and

Whereas, South Carolina suffered the largest forestry disaster in modern American history as a result of Hurricane Hugo; and

Whereas, Hurricane Hugo destroyed more timber than the Mt. St. Helens eruption, the Yellowstone fires of 1988, Hurricane Frederick, and Hurricane Camille combined; and

Whereas, extra measures must be taken to assist in replacing this forestry loss and restoring the necessary balance in our environment; and

Whereas, two bills have been introduced recently in the United States Senate by South Carolina Senator Fritz Hollings giving priority under two federal forestry programs to areas that have suffered tree loss due to environmental disasters; and

Whereas, Senate Bill 942 gives higher priority to these tree damaged areas under a Small Business Administration tree planning program that provides funds to states to purchase trees from small nurseries to plant on public lands; and

Whereas, Senate Bill 943 highlights these areas for aid under the "America the Beautiful" initiative which solicits private contributions and distributes funds to organizations and localities for volunteer efforts to plant and maintain trees; and

Whereas, the passage of these bills substantially would aid South Carolina in restoring our forests from the devastation caused by Hurricane Hugo. Now, therefore,

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

That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina memorializes Congress to enact Senate Bills 942 and 943 giving priority for planting and maintaining trees under federal forestry programs to areas that have suffered tree loss due to environmental disasters.

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