Forest Products Week

Floor Speech

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Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Forest Products Week
and the forest products industry's contributions to greener
manufacturing practices. In Washington State, we have over 58 sawmill,
millwork and wood treating facilities; 12 engineered wood and panel
facilities; and 16 facilities manufacturing other wood products.

We know that forests play a critical role in filtering and renewing
our air. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and water, and release oxygen.
Some of the carbon absorbed by trees is stored for a long period of
time. In fact, one-half the weight of wood is carbon.

Wood can be manufactured into many useful products. In addition, a
large portion of the energy used in forest products manufacturing is
produced from biomass like bark and sawdust, meaning the amount of
energy used to produce wood products can be vastly lower than other
materials.

Finally, wood is also renewable and provides for an increase in
``green'' buildings that have a positive carbon footprint. Recently,
Secretary Vilsack visited my district and described the many benefits
to building with wood products such as cross-laminated timber.

During Forest Products Week, let's all recognize the many employees
and products that contribute to an increased environmental awareness in
sustainable building materials as well as in many other areas.

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