[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 96 Received in Senate (RDS)]


109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. J. RES. 96


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 15, 2006

                                Received

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the contributions of the Christmas tree industry to the 
                         United States economy.

Whereas Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since 
        the 1850s;
Whereas, by 1900, one in five American families decorated a tree during the 
        Christmas season, while, by 1930, a decorated Christmas tree had become 
        a nearly universal part of the American Christmas celebration;
Whereas 32.8 million households in the United States purchased a live-cut 
        Christmas tree in 2005;
Whereas the placement and decoration of live-cut Christmas trees in town squares 
        across the country have become an American tradition;
Whereas, for generations, American families have traveled hundreds and even 
        thousands of miles to celebrate the Christmas season together around a 
        live-cut Christmas tree;
Whereas 36 million live-cut Christmas trees are produced each year, and 98 
        percent of these trees are shipped or sold directly from Christmas tree 
        farms;
Whereas North Carolina, Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, 
        New York, Minnesota, Virginia, California, and Ohio are the top 
        producers of live-cut Christmas tree, but Christmas trees are grown in 
        all 50 States;
Whereas there are more than 21,000 growers of Christmas trees in the United 
        States, and approximately 100,000 people are employed in the live-cut 
        Christmas tree industry;
Whereas many Christmas tree growers grow trees on a part-time basis to 
        supplement their other farm and non-farm income;
Whereas growing Christmas trees provides wildlife habitat;
Whereas more than a half million acres of land were planted in Christmas trees 
        in 2005;
Whereas 73 million new Christmas trees will be planted in 2006, and, on average, 
        over 1,500 Christmas trees can be planted per acre; and
Whereas the retail value of all Christmas trees harvested in 2005 was $1.4 
        billion: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled,  That Congress recognizes the 
important contributions of the live-cut Christmas tree industry, 
Christmas tree growers, and persons employed in the live-cut Christmas 
tree industry to the United States economy.

            Passed the House of Representatives November 14, 2006.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.