[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 58 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. J. RES. 58

            Designating the honeybee as the national insect.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 5, 1993

 Mr. Neal of North Carolina introduced the following joint resolution; 
  which was referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
            Designating the honeybee as the national insect.

Whereas the honeybee has been recognized since biblical times as an embodiment 
        of the virtues of industry, ingenuity, thrift, and selflessness, 
        qualities that reflect some of the most basic and honored ideals of the 
        Nation;
Whereas the honeybee is an unsung yet essential link in the chain of American 
        agriculture, pollinating an estimated 19 billion dollars' worth of crops 
        annually;
Whereas the honeybee population is declining under pressure from urbanization 
        and the misuse of pesticides, resulting in a loss of honey and beeswax 
        and in reduced yields of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and shrubs because 
        of inadequate pollination;
Whereas concern for the honeybee has created public awareness of the urgent need 
        to preserve and protect these valuable creatures;
Whereas at the present time honeybees are kept in all 50 of the United States;
Whereas many communities across the Nation hold annual festivals of art, crafts, 
        and music in honor of the honeybee;
Whereas the Postal Service honored the honeybee by issuing a 25-cent stamp on 
        September 2, 1988, in Omaha, Nebraska, and an embossed envelope on 
        October 10, 1980, in Paris, Illinois;
Whereas 18 States have already adopted the honeybee as their official State 
        insect, and Utah is nicknamed the ``Beehive State'' in honor of the 
        honeybee; and
Whereas it would be in the best interests of the people of the United States for 
        the honeybee to be adopted as our national insect: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the insect commonly known 
as the honeybee is designated and adopted as the national insect of the 
United States, and the President is authorized and requested to declare 
such fact by proclamation.

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