AJR136: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-6038/1

CMH:wlj

2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE

2021 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 136

February 16, 2022 - Introduced by Representatives Mursau, Krug, Edming, Swearingen, Tittl, Moses, Callahan, Tusler, Milroy, Sinicki, Hebl, Andraca and Snodgrass, cosponsored by Senators Felzkowski, Ballweg, Jagler, L. Taylor, Ringhand and Cowles. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR136,1,4 Relating to: expressing support from the Wisconsin State Legislature for the grant application entitled A Wisconsin Forest Products Cluster: A Catalyst for Sustainable, Enduring Transformation to the United States Economic Development Administration's Phase 2 Build Back Better Regional Challenge.

AJR136,1,8 Whereas, a diverse, regional coalition representing industry, higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, state and tribal governments, labor unions, veterans' organizations, and economic development associations have partnered to jointly focus on a sustainable future for Wisconsin's forest products industry; and

AJR136,1,14 Whereas, this 35-county regional cluster, led by the Wisconsin Paper Council, represents the interests of employers and workers and has gained significant support beyond the core coalition partners. Sector businesses, philanthropic groups, regional economic development organizations, veterans' organizations, and state and federal elected leaders have all expressed their unwavering support for this grant application; and

AJR136,2,3 Whereas, northern Wisconsin's forest products industry is the largest in the nation, providing high-quality jobs to nearly 39,000 workers and contributing $18 billion to manufacturing output in the state; and

AJR136,2,7 Whereas, with the highest concentration of paper manufacturing in the United States, our region is the leading U.S. producer of paper products. Products ranging from tissue, to corrugated cardboard, to specialty papers supply national markets and result in more than one billion exports to one hundred countries; and

AJR136,2,12 Whereas, the vision presented by this coalition is the transformation of Wisconsin's forest products industry. If selected for Phase 2 of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, Wisconsin's forest products industry will be well positioned to anticipate, meet, exceed, and drive the demands of its 21st-century customers, who are seeking sustainable and high-performance product; and

AJR136,2,16 Whereas, if selected as a finalist for Phase 2 of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, Wisconsin's forest products industry will use the moneys to create a resilient and thriving rural economy in Wisconsin that is underpinned by sustainable forest management for our entire state; now, therefore, be it

AJR136,2,21 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin State Legislature assembled respectfully support an award of a Phase 2 Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant to the Wisconsin Paper Council–led regional cluster, in order to sustain and grow our great state's forest products industry for generations to come; and, be it further

AJR136,3,4 Resolved, That a copy of this joint resolution be forwarded to the Honorable Gina Raimondo, United States Department of Commerce Secretary, the Honorable Alejandra Y. Castillo, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development—United States Economic Development Administration, the Wisconsin Paper Council, Menominee Tribal Enterprises, the Mid-State Technical College, the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, the Sustainable Resource Institute, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division.

AJR136,3,5 (End)