WASHINGTON – American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President & CEO Donna Harman today issued the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s proclamation recognizing National Forest Products Week (Oct. 16 – 22):

“At home, school, the workplace and all points in between, pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood productsprovide undeniable value to society and economies across the country.  National Forest Products Week offers a welcome opportunity to underscore the value of these products to the nation’s economy and our everyday life.

“Paper and wood product manufacturers contribute to the economic backbone of communities across thecountry. The forest products industry employs directly nearly 900,000 men and women in family-wage jobs and rank among the top 10 manufacturing employers in 45 states. Our companies utilize renewable, recyclable materials in innovative and highly-efficient processes to make products Americans rely on today and will need tomorrow.

“Lives are made easier thanks to paper-based packaging, communications, hygienic and other specialty products along with innovating wood-based construction techniques. Across the production process, voluntary programs like Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 resulted in  improvements that demonstrate the industry’s firm commitment to sustainability. With goals for further industry improvement already in place, the future for paper, packaging, pulp, tissue and wood products is a vibrant one.”