October 12, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1825 MR. KEVIN GRYBOSKI California. The U.S. Forest Service estimates erated the plant continuously until it was that these direct jobs in California also provide forced to close the facility in 2009 amid weak- HON. LOU BARLETTA more than 7,000 indirect jobs in related and ness in the lumber market, reduced timber OF PENNSYLVANIA affected businesses. harvests on nearby national forest lands, and At Sierra Pacific Industries, the company’s IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES increasing state regulatory burdens. In June of dedicated team members produce quality 2011 SPI announced that it would rebuild the Wednesday, October 12, 2011 wood products using the most sophisticated mill using new technologies that would allow it Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor equipment and machinery. This basic under- to cut a wider array of log sizes to maximize Kevin Gryboski for his lifetime of outstanding standing represents Sierra Pacific’s philosophy the efficiency of the operation. The mill re- athleticism, and on his acceptance into the toward its valued crew members. During the started in September, 2011 and employs Plains Sports Hall of Fame in Northeastern course of Sierra Pacific’s growth and develop- about 130 workers on two shifts. Pennsylvania. ment, efforts have been made to assure an at- Sierra Pacific Industries generates $11.7 Mr. Gryboski is a graduate of Bishop Hoban mosphere of fair treatment and appreciation million in annual payroll in Tuolumne County High School and Wilkes University. He began for all employees. Some of SPI’s continuing to its direct employees, and pays $400,000 in his baseball career in Plains with a Little programs include: appropriate compensation property taxes. In addition, SPI pays out over League championship in 1984. He was also and benefit levels for crew members and their $200,000 annually to local vendors for their selected first-team All-State and top pitcher in dependents; development of supervisors sen- supplies and services. the state in 1992 while playing for the Plains sitive to the needs and concerns of today’s Mr. Speaker, please join me in praising Si- American Legion Baseball team. While at crew members; and career advancement op- erra Pacific Industries for their diligent work in Bishop Hoban, Mr. Gryboski showed his tal- portunities for all employees through a desire the timber industry and applauding them in the ents on the field, as he was named an all-star to promote from within the company whenever re-opening of the Sonora Sawmill. in 1990 and 1991, and he also played basket- possible. Through a full commitment to this f ball for the Argents. philosophy, SPI continues to be an organiza- H.R. 2017, CONTINUING Mr. Gryboski continued to show his talents tion where its crew members are proud to APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012 during his time at Wilkes University, where he work and others strive to become part of the participated in both baseball and basketball. team. HON. MICK MULVANEY On the mound, he was named pitcher for the Sierra Pacific continues to make substantial OF SOUTH CAROLINA 1994 Middle Atlantic Conference champion- investments in forestry and mill modernization IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ship team. To this day, he holds the Colonels’ in the State of California. Although many com- all-time record for complete games, and he panies have left the state due to its difficult Wednesday, October 12, 2011 has been inducted into the Wilkes University economic and regulatory climate, SPI remains Mr. MULVANEY. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2017 Athletic Hall of Fame. committed to rebuilding a competitive climate would fund the Federal Government from Oc- Mr. Gryboski is an inspiration to many stu- for business in California and investing in the tober 1, 2011 through October 4, 2011. It was dent-athletes because he showed the impor- rural communities where it operates. considered by a unanimous consent request, tance of education. In 1994, he was drafted by Sierra Pacific Industries is committed to which does not require a recorded vote. Had the Cincinnati Reds, but he deferred signing managing its lands in a responsible and sus- a recorded vote been required, I would have so he could finish earning his degree. He had tainable manner to protect the environment voted against this spending bill. truly ended up with the best of both worlds, as while providing quality wood products and re- f in 1995 he had his degree and signed with the newable power for consumers. To SPI, sus- PERSONAL EXPLANATION Seattle Mariners, where he played until 2001. tainable forest management means more than He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2002. planting trees. The company employs modern His career also took him to the Texas Rang- forest management practices that closely HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO ers, the Washington Nationals, the Pittsburgh mimic natural forest events. It has invested in OF CALIFORNIA Pirates, and finally to the San Francisco Gi- state-of-the-art equipment to optimize every IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ants in 2008 before he retired after a shoulder fiber of every tree. SPI is a voluntary partner Wednesday, October 12, 2011 injury. He pitched in 190 regular-season in the independent Sustainable Forestry Initia- Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, on Tues- ® ® games and 13 post-season games, and he tive (SFI ) forest certification program to day, October 11, 2011, I regrettably missed helped the Braves win a National League East help ensure our forests are here for genera- the votes on rollcall. My leave of absence was championship. tions to come. The expertise of its registered due to a district event with the Secretary of Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to commend Mr. professional foresters and natural resource Education, Arne Duncan. Had I been present, Kevin Gryboski, and speak for the members of specialists guarantees that wildlife habitats, I would have voted ‘‘Nay’’ on the following bill. his hometown in appreciation of his gifts and water quality, and other forest values are pro- H. Res. 425—Rule providing for consider- abilities. tected. ation of H.R. 3078, United States-Colombia f The Sierra Pacific Foundation was estab- Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation lished and funded in 1979 by A.A. ‘‘Red’’ Act, H.R. 3079, United States-Panama Trade CONGRATULATING SIERRA PA- Emmerson’s father, R.H. ‘‘Curly’’ Emmerson. Promotion Agreement Implementation Act, CIFIC INDUSTRIES ON RE-OPEN- During the past 20 years, the Foundation has H.R. 3080, United States-Korea Free Trade ING THE SONORA SAWMILL provided over $3 million in Higher Education Agreement Implementation Act and the Motion scholarships to dependent children of SPI em- to Concur in the Senate Amendments to H.R. HON. JEFF DENHAM ployees. The Foundation also contributes to 2832 which extends the Generalized System OF CALIFORNIA youth activities and other organizations in the of Preferences, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES communities in which Sierra Pacific Industries Following H. Res. 425, I would have voted has facilities, with contributions to more than ‘‘Yea’’ on the following amendments. Wednesday, October 12, 2011 100 worthy organizations each year. The Waxman Amendment (#11) which adds a Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Foundation awarded $403,250 to 177 students new section at the end of the bill to ensure recognize and congratulate Sierra Pacific In- to assist them as they attend colleges, univer- that the bill complies with the Republican dis- dustries on re-opening the Sonora Sawmill. sities and trade schools during the 2011–2012 cretionary CutGo protocol. The section says if This dedicated business is assisting in bring- school year. the bill authorizes the appropriation of funds ing back economic vitality to the region. Mrs. Ida Emmerson, wife of company presi- and does not reduce an existing authorization Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) is a third-gen- dent A.A. ‘‘Red’’ Emmerson for nearly 41 of appropriations to offset that amount, then eration family-owned forest products company years, served as president of the Sierra Pa- the bill’s provisions cease to be effective. CBO based in Anderson, California. With its forma- cific Foundation until her death in 1996. Red currently scores the bill as spending $1 million tion in 1949, the firm now owns and manages and Ida’s daughter, Carolyn Dietz, proudly over 5 years subject to appropriations. nearly 1.9 million acres of timberland in Cali- succeeded her as Foundation president. Connolly Amendment (#18) which adds a fornia and Washington, and is the second The original Sonora sawmill was first con- new section at the end of the bill that directs largest lumber producer in the United States. structed in 1901. It had several owners before the EPA Administrator not to delay actions to Sierra Pacific employs over 3,500 people in Sierra Pacific Industries purchased it and reduce pollution emissions from waste inciner- these two states, with about 3,000 of them in nearby timberlands in 1995. Sierra Pacific op- ators or industrial boilers at chemical facilities, VerDate Mar 15 2010 06:09 Oct 13, 2011 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K12OC8.005 E12OCPT1 jbell on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS.