Washington, D.C. – American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President & CEO Donna Harman today issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s official proclamation recognizing the 58th anniversary of National Forest Products Week (Oct. 21 – 27):

“Every year, National Forest Products Week offers a stage on which we can shine a spotlight on pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products and the hard-working employees who manufacture them. Now, it’s time to share the story of our industry’s valuable contributions to society and the economy – far and wide.

“We are one of the largest manufacturing sectors in America with dedicated employees who make the products we rely on today and will need tomorrow. In rural and urban communities across 45 states, our companies provide family-wage jobs to approximately 950,000 men and women, and our companies account for four percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP. Paper and wood products manufacturers rank among the top 10 employers and utilize renewable, recyclable materials in innovative and highly-efficient processes.

“We can thank paper-based packaging, communications, hygienic and other specialty products along with innovative wood-based construction techniques for making everyday life just a little bit easier. And, across the production process, voluntary programs like Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 have returned improvements that demonstrate our industry’s commitment to sustainability. And, not wasting any time, we’ve set new goals to aspire to.”

For more information about AF&PA and the products our member companies make, visit http://www.afandpa.org/celebratefp and follow us at @ForestandPaper and @PaperRecycles, and join the conversation with #ForestProductsWeek for real-time news on National Forest Product Week.