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2016 Hardwood Federation Fly-In: Smaller But Packing A Punch Photos By Scott Henrichsen Washington, DC –American politics and how Washington, DC is functioning (or not functioning), are under an intensely watchful eye this year thanks to one of the most contentious and unpredictable election in years. In an increasingly polarizing political environment, making sure the Hardwood story and how existing and proposed federal policies impact businesses is at the forefront of politicians’ minds is vital, according to Dana Lee Cole, executive director of the Hardwood Federation. She added, “The recent annual Hardwood Federation Fly-In is our most important and widely anticipated event of the year. The Fly-In brings Hardwood industry leaders to Washington to tell their stories and relate the industry’s message directly to the Members of Congress that draft and vote on legislation that can impact your bottom line. This year, 40 Hardwood representatives from across the U.S. came to Capitol Hill. Our participants were a great mix of knowledgeable Fly-In veterans and eager new faces. They stormed the Hill in small groups and visited as many congressional offices as possible to make a real difference!” Hardwood Federation representatives attended over 70 meetings with Members of Congress and staff. Roughly 40 meetings were held with members of the U.S. House of Representatives and more than 30 meetings with those in the U.S. Senate. The meetings on Capitol Hill covered five of the Federation’s priority issues: • Federal Forestry Reform – H.R. 2647 the “Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015” has passed the House and has been referred to both the Senate Agriculture and Energy Committees where work continues to address badly needed reform to federal land management, while also considering concerns regarding forest fire funding; • IRS Estate Tax Changes – The IRS has proposed changes under Code Section 2704 that would add considerable complexity to the process of valuing and transferring family owned businesses, imposing increased estate taxes on the next generation. HF asks that the Treasury Department withdraw the proposed regulations, or, at a minimum, 22 NOVEMBER 2016 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE add a clearly defined exception for active businesses; • Biomass Carbon Neutrality – The forest products industry needs certainty on how carbon emissions from biomass will be handled. EPA needs to forge a clear, simple, realistic, and consistent policy that recognizes the environmental and economic benefits of biomass energy; • Tall Wood Buildings – We support the Timber Innovation Act bills in both the House (H.R. 5628) and the Senate (S. 2892), which would help develop new markets for wood products; and • MAP and FMD – The Hardwood Federation strongly supports full funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) – 0 million – and Foreign Market Development (FMD) program – .5 million – as authorized in the 2014 Farm Bill. As in years past, the Hardwood Federation PAC (HFPAC) sponsored social events for Republicans and Democrats during the Fly-In. Despite a last minute call for Votes on the Floor of Congress, 24 Republican members attended a Wednesday evening reception, which was regarded a good turn-out despite the overlap of the vote and HF’s event. Thirteen Democrats joined the Fly-In for breakfast the next day. “These numbers – and the extra effort by members to get to the events – continue to prove that the Hardwood Federation and the HFPAC maintain a solid reputation and significant clout on Capitol Hill. These events also provide us with an outstanding opportunity to reconnect with friends on the Hill and establish new relationships,” said Cole. The Hardwood Manufacturers Association’s Millennial Council sponsored the Welcome Reception, focusing attention on the fact that the next generation of leaders need to be as active and as engaged as their predecessors. During the reception, Fly-In attendees were addressed by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), who served as a great example of how time and effort from Wisconsin-based Hardwood companies and the Hardwood Federation can turn a newly elected Senator with limited knowledge of the industry into an advocate. Senator Baldwin spoke of how getting out in the woods, visiting facilities, and being educated by Please turn to page 44
Tommy Maxwell, Maxwell Hardwood Flooring, Monticello, AR; Brian Mast, Republican Candidate for the 18 th District, Florida; and Dana Lee Cole, Hardwood Federation, Washington, DC John Crites, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Sherman, and John Crites II, Allegheny Wood Products, Petersburg, WV Bob Miller, Frank Miller Lumber Co. Inc., Union City, IN; Julio Alvarez, Bill Hanks Lumber Co., Danbury, NC; and Brian Edward Rell, Chief of Staff to Congressman Robert B. Aderholt, 4 th District, Alabama Lorna Christie, National Hardwood Lumber Association, Memphis, TN; and Jeff Wirkkala and Jessi Landwehr, Hardwood Industries Inc., Sherwood, OR Darwin Murray, McClain Forest Products LLC, West Plains, MO; Congressman Billy Long, 7 th District, Missouri; and Ted Rossi, Rossi Group, Middletown, CT Jim Gaunntt, Railway Tie Association, Fayetteville, GA; Matt Smith, Smith Creek, Borden, IN; Congressman Larry Bucshon, 8 th District, Indiana; Bob Miller, Frank Miller Lumber Co. Inc., Union City, IN; and Ray Moistner, Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, Indianapolis, IN Luke Brogger, Quality Hardwoods Inc., Sunfield, MI; and Darwin Murray, McClain Forest Products LLC, West Plains, MO Don and Emily Finkell, American OEM, Dickson, TN; Dick Krawze, Pine River Lumber Co., Long Lake, WI; and Dan Corullo, Action Floor Systems, Mercer, WI Additional photos on page 36 NOVEMBER 2016 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 23
