John Rhodes

May 27, 2009

Congressman Mike Thompson
317 3rd Street, Suite 1
Eureka, California 95501

Dear Congressman Thompson,

Over the past few years, we have seen millions of jobs moved to other countries, and we have seen more and more imports of products that used to be manufactured here in the U.S., but now carry labels of foreign countries. We have seen the manufacturing sector in the U.S. export millions of jobs abroad, and have witnessed the devastating effect it’s had on workers and their families, their communities, and the nation’s economy. A large percentage of the domestic production has gone to China, which, as you are well aware, has no environmental regulations, no worker rights, extremely low wages, no benefits, no consideration for safety; in fact, very few regulations on how businesses conduct themselves overall. We no live in a global economy as well as a global environment, and it’s sad to see so many U. S. manufacturing firms abandon this country, with their only consideration being the bottom line.

Having said that, we are very impressed with what Freshwater Pulp Company is doing with the Samoa mill. FPC’s vision of being a regional producer of environmentally-friendly consumer products that are always in demand and will ensure that the mill will be successful. The Samoa mill project will have a very positive impact on the Humboldt County area with the creation of new jobs - what a great contrast to the situation that I mentioned above. Family wage jobs are the ones that we have been losing; ones that now we’ll have the opportunity to create. Statistics show that for every manufacturing job created, there are several other jobs also created in the community. The net effect to that community is that it prospers.

Freshwater Pulp Company has done a great job in bringing together stakeholders in this project. When you bring together business leaders, the environmental community, labor and the community in general, great things can happen. As you know, the AWPPW is very supportive of FPC. We have a long history of working very hard for our members, our employers, and our great industry, of which FPC is a part. This project is a great opportunity.

Please let me know how we can help.

Sincerely,

John N. Rhodes
 President