Volume , No. covering the 1st Session of the 108th Congress (2003 - 2004) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE AMERICAN FOREST &” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1034 on May 21, 2003.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE AMERICAN FOREST & PAPER ASSOCIATION FOR ITS
COMMITMENT TO INCREASED PAPER RECOVERY
______
HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, May 21, 2003
Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the members of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) for committing to meet an increased paper recovery goal by the year 2012. This effort illustrates the paper industry's understanding of our natural resources and its desire to safeguard the environment by decreasing the amount of paper that is sent to our nation's landfills.
In 2000, 232 million tons of solid waste was produced in the United States, taxing our landfills, peoples' pocketbooks, and our environment. In order to sustain economic growth and simultaneously promote environmental protection, some hard choices needed to be made--
and were. Since 1987, paper recovery has increased 97 percent. This dramatic increase can be traced to an industry set goal on paper recovery, as well as the investment of more than $15 billion in new equipment. With the help of action-oriented communities across the country, AF&PA and its member companies have more than exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's target of 35 percent recycling by 2005 as part of its ``Resource Conservation Challenge.''
Achieving higher levels than were they are now will not be easy, but it is important since every bit counts. That is why I am pleased that AF&PA is reaching out to form partnerships with the Environmental Protection Agency, various cities and office building managers across the country to help increase public awareness about the benefits of recovering paper for recycling. I hope that this public-private partnership will raise awareness and encourage larger, future voluntary recycling efforts in paper recovery.
Although I acknowledge progress has been made in paper recycling, more can and should be done. As demand for recovered fiber continues to grow for both domestic and export markets, additional recovered fiber supply will be needed--of note, more than 38 percent of the industry's raw material comes from recovered fiber. We should ensure that all citizens continue to play a meaningful role in safeguarding the environment, encouraging fiber and sustaining economic growth, and preserving our natural resources through recycling used paper.
Environmental progress requires that the private sector and government work together to get things done and these efforts provide an opportunity for more Americans to recycle in their homes, offices and schools. To the end that good progress has been made, I applaud AF&PA, but am reminded that success is a continual forward journey. Recovering more fiber for recycling at U.S. paper mills through recycling challenges, model programs and community partnerships helps ensure that the paper industry will continue to be a strong participant in the American economy, a responsible steward of the environment and a leader in efforts to utilize all available resources in the production of recycled content products. For that we should all be thankful.
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SOURCE: PAPER ASSOCIATION FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO INCREASED PAPER RECOVERY
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