June 23, 2005

Washington, DC – Senator Gordon Smith announced the introduction of his resolution commemorating the U.S. Forest Service’s 100th Anniversary as July 1, 2005. Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) joined Smith in urging the Senate to officially recognize the anniversary and the Forest Service’s contributions to managing American timberlands.

The complete text of the resolution is available upon request.

In 1905, the United States Forest Service (USFS) was established by President Theodore Roosevelt to provide the United States with quality water and a sustainable timber supply. Since its creation, the USFS mission has expanded into the management of national forests for multiple uses and benefits, which include the sustained yield of renewable resources such as water, forage, wildlife, wood, and recreation.

“The Forest Service is an American institution which we all can be proud of,” Smith said. “The management of our natural resources faces a great deal of scrutiny and the Forest Service has risen above that fray to provide exceptional service to our forest lands.”

In 1905, the USFS began with 500 employees, and today, its 30,000 employees manage 192 million acres in 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands in 44 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

“For Oregonians, the woods are our backyard and our place of work,” said Smith. “The Forest Service has played a central role in conserving our forests for generations, and should for many to come.”

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