THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY HOUGHTON, SEIP, MATZIE, McCALL, MURPHY, FREEMAN, BARRAR, BEYER, BISHOP, CALTAGIRONE, D. COSTA, CUTLER, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, FAIRCHILD, GEIST, GEORGE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HARHART, HELM, HENNESSEY, HESS, HICKERNELL, KORTZ, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MARKOSEK, McGEEHAN, MELIO, MILLARD, MILLER, MOUL, MUSTIO, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PALLONE, PASHINSKI, PAYNE, PICKETT, QUINN, READSHAW, REICHLEY, SAINATO, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SIPTROTH, SOLOBAY, SONNEY, STABACK, SWANGER, WALKO AND PARKER, NOVEMBER 10, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, NOVEMBER 10, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of October 2009 as "Wine, Wineries and

Grapes Month" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania growers produce many of the finest food

products available worldwide; and

WHEREAS, Today, the growth of Pennsylvania grapes occurs

thanks to the tireless efforts of generations of Pennsylvanians

who played instrumental roles in the founding of this nation's

great wine industry; and

WHEREAS, The United States' first commercial grapevine

nursery operated in Montgomery County in southeastern

Pennsylvania; and 

WHEREAS, With approximately 14,000 acres of grapes, this

Commonwealth ranks fourth nationally in the amount of grapes

grown, including the use of grapes for the production of juices;

and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania ranks fifth nationally in the amount of

wine grapes produced and eighth in the production of wine; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania grape growers produce the finest table,

jelly and juice grapes, including such diverse varieties as the

Catawba, the Concord, the Delaware and the Niagara; and 

WHEREAS, The largest Concord producing plant in the country

operates in this Commonwealth; and 

WHEREAS, The 114 licensed wineries in this Commonwealth have

increased from 84 in 2003, and Pennsylvania is home to an

additional 150 wine grape growers; and

WHEREAS, According to the Pennsylvania Wine Marketing and

Research Program study, production of wine and wine grapes

contributes a total of $2.35 billion to the State's economy,

which includes the direct creation of 10,537 jobs and a total

direct payroll of $472 million; and

WHEREAS, Wineries attract 894,000 visitors and bring about an

estimated $179.6 million in tourism expenditures; and

WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board,

Pennsylvania's wine industry and other State agencies have

promoted this Commonwealth as a "wine-friendly" State; and 

WHEREAS, October serves as an important month of harvest for

Pennsylvania grape growers, and harvest time provides an ideal

opportunity to recognize the contributions of grape growers and

the entire wine industry to this Commonwealth and to the nation;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the

significant and invaluable contributions made by the grape

industry and the wine industry to this Commonwealth's history,

economy and quality of life; and be it further 

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

month of October 2009 as "Wine, Wineries and Grapes Month" in

Pennsylvania; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage the

citizens of this Commonwealth to celebrate "Wine, Wineries and

Grapes Month" by enjoying many of the grape products of

Pennsylvania growers and responsibly partaking of favorite

Pennsylvania wine products while engaging in the festivities and

gaining awareness of the services and products offered by

Pennsylvania wineries through all seasons of the year.