THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY BRADFORD, BAKER, BENNINGHOFF, BISHOP, BOBACK, K. BOYLE, BRENNAN, BROOKS, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, D. COSTA, CREIGHTON, CUTLER, DALEY, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FLECK, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRELL, HANNA, HARHAI, HARHART, HENNESSEY, HESS, KAVULICH, KIRKLAND, KNOWLES, KORTZ, KULA, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MALONEY, MANN, MATZIE, MILLARD, MIRABITO, MOUL, MURPHY, MUSTIO, NEUMAN, OBERLANDER, O'NEILL, PICKETT, QUINN, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROAE, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, M. SMITH, SONNEY, STABACK, SWANGER, TALLMAN AND VEREB, MARCH 29, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 29, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the week of March 13 through 19, 2011, as

"Agriculture Week" and March 15, 2011, as "Agriculture Day"

in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Agriculture is Pennsylvania's number one industry;

and

WHEREAS, The act of June 25, 2001 (P.L.729, No.71), provides

for the observance of "Pennsylvania Agriculture Day" and

"Pennsylvania Agriculture Week" in order to pay tribute to the

extraordinary efforts of the men and women who provide us with

an abundance of food, fiber and energy, and to recognize the

vital contribution they make to the high quality of life within

this Commonwealth, the nation and the world; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's citizens depend on farmers to work

hard to produce an abundant, safe and nutritious food supply on

this Commonwealth's rich agricultural land and waterways; and

WHEREAS, Local farm businesses support on-farm and farm-

related jobs, with one in seven jobs relating to this

Commonwealth's agriculture industry, and provide $45 billion in

total economic impact; and

WHEREAS, With fewer than 2% of Pennsylvanians engaged in

farming, one Pennsylvania farmer provides for an average of 146

people; and

WHEREAS, Our Commonwealth's dedicated farmers lead the way

nationally in the production of agricultural commodities,

including mushrooms, hardwood lumber, Christmas trees, pumpkins,

eggs, apples, milk, grapes, peaches, pears and trout; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has established an outstanding

reputation throughout the nation and world as a leading supplier

of agricultural products with the highest quality and safety

standards; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's farmers are responsible stewards of

the land, protecting this Commonwealth's fertile soils and clean

water for future generations; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the

week of March 13 through 19, 2011, as "Agriculture Week" and

March 15, 2011, as "Agriculture Day" in Pennsylvania and call

upon the people of this Commonwealth to observe that day with

appropriate ceremonies and activities.