The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed H. Res. 81, which recognizes the importance and sustainability of the United States hardwoods industry and urges that United States hardwoods and the products derived from United States hardwoods be given full consideration in any program directed at constructing environmentally preferable commercial, public, or private buildings.

Representative Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) sponsored the legislation, which was supported by the Hardwood Federation, a coalition of more than 30 associations, including the NWFA, representing the interests of the United States hardwood industry.  The U.S. hardwood industry employs millions of families throughout the country, representing thousands of jobs in nearly every state and hundreds of Congressional districts.

This legislation recognizes the sustainability of United States hardwoods in a global marketplace that is giving increased emphasis on the procurement of hardwood from sustainable, legally harvested forests as a result of the U.S. Lacey Act and an increased interest in green building.  Green building is gaining momentum in the United States as it saves energy, protects the environment, and encourages the use of renewable resources such as wood.  American hardwoods meet all of these criteria.