Baldwin, Collins Lead Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing October 12th as ‘National Loggers Day’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced a Senate resolution recognizing October 12 as National Loggers Day.

“Wisconsin’s forest products industry supports tens of thousands of jobs and creates millions of dollars in economic activity across our state, putting Wisconsin on the map with world-class products,” said Senator Baldwin. “As we celebrate another National Loggers Day, I’m committed to supporting this industry that has shaped our state’s identity and moved our Made in Wisconsin economy forward, strengthening our local economies and creating good-paying jobs in communities across the state.”

“Throughout Maine’s history, our forest products industry has supported good-paying jobs, driven local economies, strengthened rural communities, and protected our natural environment,” said Senator Collins. “I come from a sixth-generation forest-products family and know of few other enterprises that require more faith in the future and respect for the past. I am proud to join Senator Baldwin in honoring the skilled and resilient loggers in Maine and across the country.”

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the forest products industry in Wisconsin directly employs around 58,000 individuals and pays over $4 billion in labor income annually. In 2021, the industry’s total value of production was over $24.5 billion, contributing a total of 124,000 jobs tied directly and indirectly to the forest products industry.

“American Loggers have been an essential part of building America for 400 years. From the lumber to build homes, pulp for paper products, and biomass for clean energy to sustainable forest management services, loggers provide the renewable resources to produce products that society depends on daily, and support healthy forests,” said Scott Dane with American Loggers Council. “These small, family, multigenerational businesses are proud of the contribution that they make to the U.S. environment and economy, and appreciate the recognition of their hard-work and professionalism on National Loggers Day.”

“Loggers from the Great Lakes Region to California and from Northern Maine to Florida have for generations, been getting the work done which keeps Forests healthy and productive. It is extremely exciting to see them be recognized for all they’ve accomplished keeping our forests healthy and thriving while providing products for everyday life,” said Troy Brown, President of Great Lakes Timber Professionals.

A full version of the resolution is available here and below.

Whereas the logging industry has served as an economic driver and cultural tradition in the United States for centuries;

Whereas the logging industry creates rural jobs and provides revenue for local and State governments and National forests;

Whereas loggers provide renewable material for products used by people in the United States every day;

Whereas loggers are the first link in the $300,000,000,000 domestic forest products supply chain;

Whereas loggers are the means by which healthy forest management plans are accomplished;

Whereas logging provides for healthy forests, which—

(1) create and maintain vital wildlife habitats;
(2) protect watersheds;
(3) provide young forests that sequester carbon for cleaner air;
(4) provide social wellbeing and public recreational opportunities; and
(5) reduce loss of life and property from wildfires; and

Whereas logging provides for healthy forests through regeneration and conservation, including by planting 2,500,000,000 trees annually: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate designates October 12, 2024, as ‘National Loggers Day.’

An online version of this release is available here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.