Commending Weyerhaeuser's Disaster Relief Efforts

Floor Speech

COMMENDING WEYERHAEUSER'S DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS -- (Extensions of Remarks - March 23, 2007)

* Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Weyerhaeuser Corporation and its wonderful community service in assisting in the relief efforts and the rebuilding of the gulf coast that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. This outstanding company has gone well beyond the call of duty, truly exemplifying what community service is.

* The Weyerhaeuser Company was incorporated in 1900, and is one the world's largest integrated forest product companies, headquartered in Federal Way, Washington, employing over 49,000 people in 18 countries. In 2005, they recorded sales of $22.6 billion, and the company manages more than 6.5 million acres of timberlands in nine States. I am pleased to note that 14 locations of the Weyerhaeuser Corporation are in Mississippi including several around the Second District.

* In recognition of their outstanding community service and dedication to helping those who need it most, Weyerhaeuser Corporation has been recognized with the Ron Brown Award. This is the only Presidential award to honor companies ``for their exemplary quality of their relationships with employees and communities.'' This award is presented to companies that have set forth strong initiatives to strengthen their employees and the community that surrounds them, as well as promote pioneering business initiatives. The Ron Brown Award was originally established by President Bill Clinton after the late Secretary of Commerce, Ron Brown, who believed that ``businesses do well by doing good.'' In my opinion, there is no better choice for this award than the Weyerhaeuser Company for its outstanding work and dedication to our country.

* On November 29, 2006, chairman, president and CEO of Weyerhaeuser, Steve Rogel, accepted the Ron Brown Award from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez at a ceremony at the White House. Mr. Rogel accepted the award and dedicated it to Weyerhaeuser's disaster relief coordinator, Katy Taylor, along with the partners and volunteers who attended the ceremony.

* Also recognized in the White House ceremony was the North Carolina Baptist Builders, with whom Weyerhaeuser teamed up in the gulf coast relief efforts. The North Carolina Baptist Builders is a faith-based organization that set forth a large mission to rebuild 600 homes along the coast. To the credit of the Baptist Builders, the Weyerhaeuser Company recognized their ``smoothly run rebuilding operation to keep projects moving.'' It is this kind of forward thinking and teamwork that makes the Weyerhaeuser Company so deserving of the Ron Brown Award.

* I am honored to have such a wonderful and dedicated company that operates in Mississippi in places such as Magnolia, Philadelphia, and Richland. Weyerhaeuser Company has been operating in Mississippi since 1956 with approximately 1,700 employees and 776,000 acres of timberland.

* The dedication of Weyerhaeuser to the community is astounding and sets a shining example to other businesses about the importance of community service and helping the less fortunate. To date, over 300 employees and retirees from across the United States and Canada have volunteered more than 42,000 hours of their time and helped rebuild 50 plus homes. Weyerhaeuser has a truly generous policy of allowing employees 2 to 4 weeks' paid leave to help volunteer in the rebuilding efforts of the gulf coast. Not only does it pay its employees while they are volunteering their time, but it also pays their way and their spouses' way for the rebuilding efforts. Now, over a year later, Weyerhaeuser employees are still participating in reconstruction efforts and have contributed a combined disaster relief to date totaling more than $2.8 million. This is nothing short of extraordinary.

* While I can only mention some of the accomplishments of Weyerhaeuser Company's contribution, it is the people of Weyerhaeuser have that truly made the difference to individuals, families and the community as a whole. As one family wrote in response to the help from Weyerhaeuser volunteers, ``Because of all your efforts, we are home! Words cannot truly express the outpouring of love we have received. We are eternally grateful to our Weyerhaeuser family.'' This shows how the assistance of strangers can surely touch one's life and make their life better and give true meaning for caring in the community.

* A sign of the high caliber of individuals Weyerhaeuser employs is some of the comments that went to the gulf coast to help. One man noted, ``The days were long and hot, the work was intense, but the rewards were immeasurable. This has been an experience I won't soon forget.'' Another volunteer employee commented, ``This experience was such a blessing. I got so much more from it than I felt I gave.'' Even Weyerhaeuser's retirees participated and one reflected of the occasion to assist those in need saying, ``Having once more the opportunity to work side by side with other Weyerhaeuser employees and retirees made me realize anew why I enjoyed working for Weyerhaeuser so much. It's all about the people and the values the company ascribes to. Thanks again.''

* Testimonies such as these speak volumes of Weyerhaeuser Company and its dedication to its employees and others. It goes beyond helping those who are under its employment, but it extends a helping hand to strangers to make the world a better place to live.

* I am pleased that Weyerhaeuser has had a long standing tradition in Mississippi and especially in the Second District. It is without question an admirable and outstanding company that lives up to the highest meaning of community service.

* Weyerhaeuser's dedication to helping others is immeasurable and I cannot thank the company enough for the work they have done and continue to do. It is truly deserving of such a prestigious award, and I am delighted to see Weyerhaeuser's efforts have been recognized by the administration. The work of their employees and retirees shows that there is no one more deserving.

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