WASHINGTON, D.C. (News release) - American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President & CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement regarding President Trump's official proclamation recognizing the 57th anniversary of National Forest Products Week (Oct. 15 - 21):

"Pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products are interwoven through our every-day lives in undeniable ways. They and the devoted employees who manufacture them deserve a center-stage seat during National Forest Products Week - the annual celebration of our industry and its valuable contributions to society and the American economy.

"In rural and urban communities across 45 states, our companies provide family-wage jobs to approximately 900,000 men and women and our industry accounts 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 to make products we rely on today and will need tomorrow.

"Thanks to paper-based packaging, communications, hygienic and other specialty products along with innovative wood-based construction techniques, lives have become easier. Across the production process, voluntary programs like Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 have returned improvements that demonstrate our industry's commitment to sustainability. And, with new goals already in place, we see a vibrant future ahead."

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 #CelebrateFP for real-time news on National Forest Product Week.

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