PRINTER'S NO. 1655
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
364
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY MATZIE, GIBBONS, MAHONEY, RAVENSTAHL, DeLUCA,
READSHAW, D. COSTA, PICKETT, DONATUCCI, HENNESSEY, BOBACK,
COHEN, CUTLER, DiGIROLAMO, ROZZI, SCHWEYER, BISHOP, KIRKLAND,
V. BROWN, McNEILL, FARINA, BROWNLEE, VEREB, MARSICO, MILLARD,
O'BRIEN, CALTAGIRONE, MARSHALL, WHEELAND, KINSEY, MAJOR,
DIAMOND, SCHLOSSBERG, FEE, ZIMMERMAN, MURT, WATSON, McCARTER,
GILLEN AND GINGRICH, JUNE 1, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 1, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of June 15 through 21, 2015, as "Pollinator
Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Pollinator species such as birds and insects,
including bees, are essential partners of farmers and ranchers
in producing much of our food supply; and
WHEREAS, Pollination plays a vital role in the health of our
national forests and grasslands, which provide forage, fish and
wildlife, timber, water, mineral resources and recreational
opportunities, as well as enhanced economic development
opportunities for communities; and
WHEREAS, Pollinator species, such as bees, provide
significant environmental benefits that are necessary for
maintaining healthy, biodiverse ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth has managed wildlife habitats and
public lands such as forests and grasslands for decades; and
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WHEREAS, The Bee Law, which appears in Chapter 21 of Title 3
of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, and other laws and
regulations provide producers with conservation assistance to
promote wise conservation stewardship, including the protection
and maintenance of pollinators and their habitats on working
lands and wildlands, and, through the Department of Agriculture,
register and regulate each apiary; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association works
with the Department of Agriculture to promote pollination,
beekeeping and the production of honey; and
WHEREAS, Among its activities, the association:
(1) produces a newsletter 10 times per year;
(2) meets twice yearly to conduct business;
(3) operates a booth at the Pennsylvania Farm Show and
Ag Progress Days to promote honey and beekeeping;
(4) maintains an education program to inspire new
beekeepers and to continue to investigate avenues to provide
information to more accomplished beekeepers;
(5) supports Delaware Valley College and The
Pennsylvania State University in projects, staff and grant
requests that further research and continually promote
beekeeping; and
(6) operates the Honey Queen Program to promote honey
and to provide beekeepers across this Commonwealth with a
resource person to assist in promoting honey in local areas;
and
WHEREAS, The Pollinator Partnership is a nonprofit
organization that protects the health of managed and native
pollinating animals vital to North American ecosystems and
agriculture; and
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WHEREAS, The Pollinator Partnership collaborates with
stakeholders who manage or influence landscapes to do a better
job of sharing the landscape with pollinators; and
WHEREAS, The Pollinator Partnership's mission is to protect
pollinators critical to food and ecosystems through
conservation, education and research through a National
Pollinator Week, a North American Pollinator Protection Campaign
and Ecoregional Planting Guides; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
week of June 15 through 21, 2015, as "Pollinator Week" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives congratulate the
Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association, The Pennsylvania
State University Cooperative Extension, Delaware Valley College
and the Department of Agriculture for their cooperative efforts
to promote pollination, beekeeping and the production of honey;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support the
efforts of the Pollination Partnership to annually observe a
National Pollinator Week; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the Governor
to issue a proclamation urging all citizens to recognize this
observance; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the Governor, the Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania
Beekeepers Association and the Pollination Partnership.
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