III 111th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 651 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 27, 2010 Mr. Reid (for Mrs. Lincoln) (for herself, Mr. Cochran, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Pryor, Ms. Landrieu, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Vitter, Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. Bond, Mr. Wicker, and Mr. Cornyn) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the designation of the month of September of 1991 as National Rice Month.

Whereas rice is a primary staple for more than half of the population of the world and has been one of the most important foods throughout history; Whereas rice production in the United States dates back to 1685 and is one of the oldest agribusinesses in the United States; Whereas rice grown in the United States significantly contributes to the diet and economy of the United States; Whereas rice is produced in the States of Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas; Whereas rice production, processing, merchandizing, and related industries in the United States are vital to the economies of the rural areas of the Sacramento Valley in the State of California, the Gulf Coast region of the States of Louisiana and Texas, and the Mississippi Delta region where more than 3,000,000 acres of rice, on average, are produced annually; Whereas, in 2009, rice farmers in the United States produced nearly 22,000,000,000 pounds of rice that had a farm gate value of more than $3,000,000,000; Whereas, in 2009, rice production and subsequent sales generated $17,500,000,000 in total value added to the economy of the United States from rice production, milling, and selected end users and had the employment effect of contributing 127,000 jobs to the labor force; Whereas eighty-five percent of the rice consumed in the United States is grown by American rice farmers, which supports rural communities and the economy of the United States; Whereas the United States is one of the largest exporters of rice and produces more than two percent of the world's rice supply, feeding millions around the world; Whereas rice is a food enjoyed throughout life in many forms, as the foundation of main dishes and side dishes, and as cereals, flour, bran, cooking oil, rice cakes, and other healthful snacks; Whereas rice is an important source of nutritional value, as rice provides an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, and is cholesterol-free, sodium-free, and trans fat-free; Whereas published research shows that people who eat rice have healthier diets; Whereas rice farmers in the United States play a key role in the provision and enhancement of habitat for wetlands-dependant wildlife species, such as ducks, geese, swans, and cranes; and Whereas the harvest of rice in the United States is celebrated each September and September 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of that annual celebration's designation: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)recognizes the 20th anniversary of the designation of the month of September of 1991 as National Rice Month; and (2)encourages the people of the United States to observe National Rice Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.