Good Morning. Thank you all for coming to the Indiana State Fairgrounds to participate in this joyous event. It is wonderful to see so many friends gathered here today for the Plant A Million program. I am pleased to join the Hoosier Heartland Resource Conservation and Development Council in planting this first of a planned one million trees in central Indiana.

When Indiana was settled nearly 200 years ago, it was estimated that over 85% of our land was forested. Most of these forests were cleared in Indiana's quest to become an agricultural leader, a position we still hold today. In 1922, Indiana's Forester, Charles Deam, predicted that Indiana would be treeless in 15 years. However, through efforts by leaders committed to forestry, Indiana now balances agriculture, forestry, and urban needs and is nearly 20% forested. I hope this tree program builds on our steady progress in reforestation and serves as motivation to accomplish this worthwhile endeavor.

Forestry is an important economic asset for our State. Indiana forests contribute over $9 billion dollars to our economy annually and our 4.3 million acres of timberland support 54,000 jobs. While Indiana has been a national and world leader in forestry and forest-based manufacturing, it is imperative that we invest even more in this industry's future. It is for this reason that I have strongly supported research efforts such as those occurring at the United States Forest Service Hardwood Tree Regeneration Center located at Purdue University. This revolutionary facility will allow us to more quickly generate superior quality wood that is vital to our manufacturing base. I have asked the Government Accountability Office to provide an in depth analysis of our nation's wood manufacturing research efforts, and I hope to use this information to improve further the scope of forestry research conducted by the U.S. Forest Service and our nation's colleges and universities.

Trees are also a valuable component of our environment and ecosystem. Trees filter our water and air, provide protection and habitat for wildlife, prevent soil erosion, and help regulate earth's temperature by absorbing carbon and providing shade. This is why it is important to encourage the planting of trees on many of our nation's marginal lands, and also in important foreign locations such  as the Central American Rainforests. Almost 20 years ago former Secretary of Agriculture Jack Block and I announced the first Conservation Reserve Program at ceremonies on the Lugar farm. The CRP has resulted in millions of acres planted with trees and the prospect of more acres becoming forested in the future. Additionally, our government should work to improve upon the health of privately held lands through government cost share programs and incentives to preserve non-developed forestry land. Outside of our country, we should also continue to support debt forgiveness programs to help protect and reforest tropical rain forests and build friendships with international forestry leaders.

Recently I planted a tree on the United States Capitol Grounds on Arbor Day to recognize Indiana trees and Indiana forestry. Arbor Day celebrates this spirit of reforestation and the hope for the future that the Plant A Million program embodies. Arbor Day began in 1872 as a result of concerns on behalf of some Nebraska citizens about the rate of deforestation in their state, and the United States as a whole. Our third Secretary of Agriculture, Julius Sterling Morton, helped expand this Nebraskan effort to other states in our nation and the first Arbor Day in Indiana was celebrated on April 11, 1884. In 1970, President Nixon declared the last Friday in April to be our National Arbor Day. Of course, the planting of trees should not only take place on Arbor Day, but should be a commitment throughout the year.

The tree that I planted on the Capitol grounds was a Black Walnut from the Lugar Family Farm here Marion County. My Son, Bob, and I have been pruning each of our Black Walnuts for over 20 years on converted land that was previously devoted to corn and soybeans. These trees may have considerable economic value in three to four generations, but in the meantime, they enhance central Indiana's tree canopy. This tree that I am helping plant today is a Tulip Tree, our state's official tree.

The Tulip Tree, also known as a Yellow Poplar, was named our state tree in 1931 and played an important role in the early development of our state as a building material for cabins and canoes, among other important products. It is fitting that we are planting a tree that was used to help build our early economy. Thank you, again, for making a personal effort to join me and the Hoosier Heartland Resource Conservation Development Council on this exciting occasion. The “Plant A Million” initiative is a wonderful gift to future Hoosier generations.