Recognizing the importance of the Department of Agriculture Forest Service Experimental Forests and Ranges.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the first experimental forest at Fort Valley, Arizona, by the Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Experimental forests and ranges provide places for long-term science and management studies in many of the major vegetation types across the country.

Fort Valley, the first experimental forest research station, established in 1908, as was mentioned earlier, was used to study how the ponderosa pine regenerates as the entire forest was being decimated through extensive logging, yet was not regrowing. Recommendations derived from research at Fort Valley were the basis of many U.S. Forest Service management practices that now allow us to responsibly log our forests so that they continue to produce.

The 80 experimental forests and ranges in existence today play an integral role in our Nation's ability to maintain healthy forests and establish responsible forestry practices. Thirty-five States have one or more experimental forests, including three in my home State of Mississippi.

Experimental forests and ranges provide samples of many ecological and environmental conditions across the United States. They support many forms of multisite research, monitoring and data sharing that address questions at regional and national scales.

As a tree farmer, I understand the vital role that experimental forests and ranges play in keeping myself and other tree farmers at the forefront of forestry research. As we continue to face challenges such as new diseases and invasive species in the forestry industry, experimental forests and ranges will be the key to finding solutions to these challenges and ensuring America's tree farmers continue to be competitive and profitable.

So I ask my colleagues, Members on both sides of the aisle today, to join me in recognizing the 100th anniversary of the establishment of experimental forests and support the passage of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 95) recognizing the importance of the Department of Agriculture Forest Service Experimental Forests and Ranges.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 95 recognizes the 100th anniversary of the first experimental forest established by the United States Department of Agriculture in Fort Valley, Arizona, and recognizes the importance of these living laboratories.

Today there are 77 experimental forests and ranges within the National Forest System. Experimental forests and ranges are valuable and dynamic resources that serve as long-term research sites.

As part of the U.S. Forest Services' research and development efforts, these experimental forests and ranges provide valuable data about various climates, forest types, vegetation, soils, ecosystems, glaciers and watersheds and other essential components of our Nation's vast natural terrain.

I want to congratulate the United States Forest Service for their outstanding work to establish and maintain this nationwide network of experimental forests and ranges over the past 100 years and encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Childers).

Mr. Speaker, I join the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Lucas from Oklahoma, in urging adoption of this resolution and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution offered by the gentleman from Mississippi. This resolution recognizes the 100th anniversary of the first experimental forest, which was created in 1908, at Fort Valley, Arizona. Today, there are 78 of these forests in 30 States contributing valuable research and knowledge to help us better manage one of our most precious natural resources, our 750 million acres of forests across America.

Experimental forests allow the Forest Service to engage in important research on the threats that our forests face such as invasive species and diseases. These forests allow for Federal research to be conducted on plant and wildlife communities in controlled settings. We know about how best to ensure the health of our forests, rangelands and watersheds, and share their knowledge with States, localities and private landowners.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.