A Congressional subcommittee heard arguments yesterday for and against changes to the Lacey Act by wood industry leaders, government agency officials and musicians.

Gibson Guitar CEO Henry Juszkiewicz and HGTV celebrity designer Lori Dennis were among the featured speakers at the International Wood Products Assn. (IWPA) convention, held March 28-30 in Indian Wells, CA.

Johnny Mainstream's song, "Trouble in Memphis," took top prize in Gibson Guitar's Fight For Your Right to Rock Contest, a poke at its troubles with the U.S. government over the Lacey Act.

WASHINGTON --- Sen. Rand Paul today introduced the Freedom from Over-Criminalization and Unjust Seizures Act of 2012 - or FOCUS Act.

WASHINGTON -- Prosecution of Lacey Act violations would be limited to civil penalties under a bill introduced on Thursday by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).

WASHINGTON -- Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), made the following statement about the introduction of the Freedom from Over-Criminalization and Unjust Seizures (FOCUS) Act of 2012 in the U.S. Senate.

In a vocal demonstration of support for the Lacey Act, a group of musicians joined environmentalists yesterday outside the NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA, to garner support for the forest conservation law and to stop illegal logging.

Gibson Guitar CEO's plea of innocence, a Daily Show satire of IKEA and Hickory Chair, and Cohen Woodworking's use of video to document its custom capabilities were among the most viewed videos posted on WoodworkingNetwork.com in 2011.

Gibson Guitar, wood blimp hangers and the shortage of skilled woodworkers topped the most viewed blog topics.

Gibson Guitar CEO Henry Juszkiewicz will be among the speakers at the 2012 International Wood Products Assn. (IWPA) convention. The convention will be held March 28-30 at the Miramonte in Indian Wells, CA.