BRADLEY HONORED FOR ACTIVISM

RELEASE: April 18, 2008

CONTACT: Neil Ward (301/838-9385)
nward@forestresources.org

Rockville, MD – The Forest Resources Association awarded its 2008 National Outstanding Forestry Activist Award to John Bradley, of Bradley Contractors, Inc., based in Jefferson, Texas, for his strong leadership in promoting forestry and the forest industry in his state, both on the ground and in public policy.

FRA Chairman Jim Brody congratulated Bradley at the organization’s Annual Awards Luncheon, April 13 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, handing him a commemorative plaque and nothing that both chambers of the Texas legislature had commemorated his award with proclamations, and that Governor Rick Perry has also signed a congratulatory proclamation.

Bradley thanked Brody, commenting, “You know, activism cannot be just a job. You’ve got to believe in it and get it in your blood.” He also pointed out: “Many of us loggers and mills have learned that this ‘get out of the way, I’m coming through’ won’t cut it anymore. We’ve got to work with other groups and other people.”

He also thanked his wife, Myrna, for her support.

The Texas House and Senate both passed Resolutions commending Bradley for the Award and for his record of service, and Texas Governor Rick Perry issued a special Proclamation commending him.

John Bradley has consistently put his beliefs into action for the industry he loves--logging and forestry. He had participated in the Forest Resources Association and Texas Forestry Association as early as the ‘80s but could see a need for a grassroots organization to represent loggers--the Texas Logging Council.

Serving as that organization’s second President, Bradley worked hard for Texas loggers and was instrumental in reforming truck length laws to meet the wood supply chain’s needs; in instituting the loader and forestry tag; and in passing the 1997 Forest Conservation bill.

“One must stand up for what is right for all parties involved; not just what will be good for one,” comments John. To that end, he has built bridges to other groups that share common goals and ideals, such as the Harrison County Landowners’ Board, the Texas Farm Bureau, and the American Farm Bureau.

U.S. Representative Louie Gohmert has stated:

“Throughout his active membership in the Texas Logging Council, he has made concerted efforts to educate legislators, such as myself, about logging and forest management. Mr. Bradley’s dedication to the logging industry, along with his work on behalf of our natural resources, is impressive and much appreciated.”

The Forest Resources Association Inc. is a nonprofit trade association concerned with the safe, efficient, and sustainable harvest of forest products and their transport from woods to mill. FRA represents wood consumers, independent logging contractors, and wood dealers, as well as businesses providing products and services to the forest resource-based industries.

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Caption for photo: “FRA’s 2008 National Outstanding Forestry Activist John Bradley (left) and his wife, Myrna, with FRA Chairman Jim Brody.”