H*5035 Concurrent Resolution, By Sharpe
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN
 FORESTERS AND THE FORESTRY PROFESSION FOR A CENTURY OF PROFESSIONAL FORESTRY
 SERVICES IN SOUTH CAROLINA, FOR PROVIDING INVALUABLE RESEARCH, TEACHING,
 EXTENSION, PROFESSIONAL ADVICE, AND LEADERSHIP IN FORESTRY FOR THE CITIZENS OF
 SOUTH CAROLINA, AND FOR PROMOTING CONSERVATION, STEWARDSHIP, AND SUSTAINED
 MANAGEMENT OF FOREST RESOURCES, AND TO JOIN WITH THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN
 FORESTERS ON THE OCCASION OF THE SOCIETY CELEBRATING ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF
 ADVANCING THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF FORESTRY IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

   05/04/00  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-5
   05/04/00  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-11

TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTERS AND THE FORESTRY PROFESSION FOR A CENTURY OF PROFESSIONAL FORESTRY SERVICES IN SOUTH CAROLINA, FOR PROVIDING INVALUABLE RESEARCH, TEACHING, EXTENSION, PROFESSIONAL ADVICE, AND LEADERSHIP IN FORESTRY FOR THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND FOR PROMOTING CONSERVATION, STEWARDSHIP, AND SUSTAINED MANAGEMENT OF FOREST RESOURCES, AND TO JOIN WITH THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTERS ON THE OCCASION OF THE SOCIETY CELEBRATING ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF ADVANCING THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF FORESTRY IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the forest resources of the State are abundant, covering more than twelve million acres, with almost seventy-two percent of this forestland owned by private landowners who are not connected to government or the forest industry; and

Whereas, the forests of South Carolina are invaluable assets and are vital to its citizens in providing timber and other useful wood products, filtering air and water, protecting soil and water resources, providing habitat for fish and wildlife, offering outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities, and supporting the general health and quality of life for present and future generations; and

Whereas, industries depending on South Carolina's private and public forest resources employ more than forty thousand individuals throughout all regions of the State and account for over $7.7 billion annually of South Carolina's economy; and

Whereas, timber is South Carolina's most valued agricultural crop with a stumpage value of more than $556 million in 1997, and forestry ranks third in value of shipments among manufacturing industries in South Carolina; and

Whereas, the State has a vested interest in sustaining South Carolina's forest resources and in ensuring that the needs of present generations are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs; and

Whereas, during the last fifty years the forestry profession has prudently used its knowledge, skills, and conservation ethic to increase the timber resource volume by sixty-three percent in order to ensure the continued health and sustainable management of South Carolina's private and public forest resources to benefit society; and

Whereas, in the year 2000, the Society of American Foresters, representing all segments of the forestry profession in South Carolina and the United States, celebrates one hundred years of advancing the science, education, technology, and practice of forestry. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and congratulate the Society of American Foresters and the forestry profession for a century of professional forestry services in South Carolina, for providing invaluable research, teaching, extension, professional advice, and leadership in forestry for the citizens of South Carolina, and for promoting conservation, stewardship, and sustained management of forest resources, and join with the Society of American Foresters on the occasion of the Society celebrating one hundred years of advancing the science and practice of forestry in South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Society of American Foresters as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation of its one hundred years of service to the citizens of the State of South Carolina.