U.S. Rep. Jim McCrery was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF & PA) for outstanding service to the U.S. forest products industry.

"It is appropriate that we present this award in your home state where forestry is a major force in the economy," said Henson Moore, president emeritus of the AF & PA. The award was given Aug. 30 at the annual convention of the Louisiana Forestry Association at Sam's Town Hotel in Shreveport.

The award was created in 1999 to recognize individuals who perform outstanding service to the American forest products industry. McCrery is the first recipient of the award.

"McCrery's leadership and advocacy on our tax issues made it possible for the industry to achieve lower taxes on wood and paper manufacturing, as well as improve the treatment of reforestation expenses," Moore said.

"Congressman McCrery's work is important to preserve the rural communities across this nation where forestry is the lifeblood of the economy," said Aubra Anthony, past chairman of the board for AF & PA and CEO for Anthony Forest Products of El Dorado, Ark.

Recent changes in the tax laws allow forest landowners to deduct their expenses sooner for reforestation and they also allow those who sell timber on a lump sum basis to qualify for capital gain treatment. Legislation before the U.S. Senate now would also reduce taxes on timber at the time of sale and would equalize the tax treatment for all landowners.

"Forestry is a $5.3 billion industry in Louisiana with over 148,000 small landowners in our state," said C.A. "Buck" Vandersteen, Louisiana Forestry Association executive director. "Our industry is struggling to compete in the global market and these changes help preserve the jobs of more than a million Americans across the United States who work in our industry."

Several major forest product companies were on hand for the presentation including Aubra Anthony Jr.; Steve Rogel of Weyerhaeuser; and Doyle Simon and Pat Maley of Temple-Inland, Inc. About 450 others were there for the presentation including small private landowners, foresters, loggers, researchers, employees of forest product manufacturers and related industry people.

The American Forest & Paper Association is the national trade association of the forest, pulp, paper, paperboard and wood products industry. AF&PA's members include manufacturers of over 80 percent of the paper, wood and forest products produced in the United States.

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