2014
2014 Fly-In Takes The Hardwood Federation To New Heights Photos By Scott Henrichsen W ashington, DC–Not a day goes by that the Hardwood As always the HF held social events and fundraisers for Federation (HF) is not in touch with Members of Republicans and Democrats. Twenty-eight Republican members Congress and their staffs, but the annual Fall Fly-In is attended an HF evening reception, and 19 Democrats joined the one of our most important and widely anticipated events of the HF for breakfast the next day. These numbers are the highest in year, noted HF Executive Director Dana Lee Cole. “This is in no HFPAC history and “provided us with another outstanding opportunity to reconnect with friends and the Hill and establish new small part because of the personal touch Hardwood Federation relationships,” said Cole. participants give the meetings they attend.” Hardwood Federation Fly-In participants were also fortunate to That personal touch occurred recently when Hardwood industry leaders took to Capitol Hill in small groups arranged by state hear directly from long-time Hardwood Federation ally Representative G.T. Thompson (R-PA, 5) who was back in DC or region and used the entire day to visit as many congressional fresh off of a Field Hearing in Harrisburg, PA, regarding the offices as possible. Northern Long Eared Bat. He shared with the group his concern Nearly 50 Hardwood Federation representatives pounded the about the economic impacts of designating the bat as endangered as well as some direction for next steps. Representative halls of Congress during the recent Hardwood Federation Fly-In to attend over 100 meetings with Members of Congress and staff. Thompson also touched on his important work with the U.S. Meetings on Capitol Hill covered three priority issues for the Forest Service to expand opportunities for timber harvest on public lands. Federation: •The proposed designation of the Northern Long Eared Bat as “Our group this year was an admirable mix of savvy Fly-In veterans and enthusiastic new faces. We hope everyone enjoyed endangered – thanking those Members of Congress who have already signed letters to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and their time on the Hill, learned something new, and came away drumming up support from those who have not. The proposed with a new appreciation of how their engagement can make a difference on public policies made in Washington. I encourage “endangered” designation and related guidelines would be devastating to the Hardwood – and many other – industries in everyone reading this to join us for next year’s Fly-In so we can visit even more elected officials and set new records,” stated the unprecedented 39 state range of the bat; Cole. “We are already starting to plan for next year when there will •EPA’s upcoming ruling on the “biogenic framework” to make be many new Members of Congress to educate and returning sure that the carbon neutrality of biomass is exempt from members to re-visit. We are tentatively scheduling our 2015 Flygreenhouse gas regulations; and In for September 8-10. We hope you can join us!” •Our concerns with proposed tax reform measures that would, For more information on the Fly-In, issues discussed, or to find among other provisions, eliminate existing deductions for forest out about participating in Fly-In 2015, contact the Hardwood land owners and double the tax rate on timber proceeds. Federation at 202-463-2705. ■ Congressman Sam Graves, Missouri 6th District; Kelly Hostetter, Hartzell Hardwoods, Piqua, OH; Darwin Murray, McClain Forest Products, West Plains, MO; Congresswoman Ann Wagner, Missouri 2nd District; and Brian Brookshire, Missouri Forest Products Association, Jefferson City, MO 22 NOVEMBER 2014 ■ NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE
Congressman Larry Bucshon, Indiana 8th District; and Dan and Lynn Corullo, Action Floor Systems, Mercer, WI Jack Shannon III and Jack Shannon Jr., J.T. Shannon Lumber Co., Memphis, TN Dana Lee Cole, Hardwood Federation, Washington, DC; and Pem Jenkins, Turn Bull Lumber Co., Elizabethtown, NC Steve James, Frank Miller Lumber Co., Union City, IN; Congressman Todd Young, Indiana 9th District; and Matthew Smith, Koetter & Smith Inc., Borden, IN Daniel Natkin, Mannington Mills Inc., headquartered in Salem, NJ; Michael Martin, National Wood Flooring Association, Chesterfield, MO; and Steven Skutelsky, PID, New York, NY Tom Talbot, Glen Oak Lumber & Milling, Montello, WI; Rick Holden, Derr Flooring Co., Willow Grove, PA; and Brad Thompson and John Hedin, Columbia Forest Products, Greensboro, NC David Whitten, Bingaman & Son Lumber Inc., Kreamer, PA; Terry Stockdale, BWP Hardwoods Inc., Brookville, PA; and Bob Rorabaugh, Rorabaugh Lumber Co., Burnside, PA Mike Hoover, Neff Lumber Mills Inc., Broadway, VA; Tom Inman, AHMI, High Point, NC; and Steve Houseknecht, Wagner Lumber Co., Owego, NY Scott Heidler, Heidler Hardwood Lumber Co., Chicago, IL; Congressman Gregg Harper, Mississippi 3rd District; Luke Brogger, Quality Hardwoods Inc., Sunfield, MI; and John Smith, Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Co., Philadelphia, PA Additional photos on page 39 NOVEMBER 2014 ■ NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 23
