[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 540 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 540

  Expressing the sense of the Senate that flowers grown in the United 
States support the farmers, small businesses, jobs, and economy of the 
   United States, that flower farming is an honorable vocation, and 
          designating July as ``American Grown Flower Month''.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 12, 2018

 Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Mr. Sullivan, and Ms. Harris) submitted 
 the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
                               Judiciary

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                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the Senate that flowers grown in the United 
States support the farmers, small businesses, jobs, and economy of the 
   United States, that flower farming is an honorable vocation, and 
          designating July as ``American Grown Flower Month''.

Whereas cut flower growers in the United States are hard-working, dedicated 
        individuals who bring beauty, economic stimulus, and pride to their 
        communities and the nation;
Whereas the people of the United States have a long history of using flowers and 
        greens grown in the United States to bring beauty to important events 
        and express affection for loved ones;
Whereas consumers spend almost $27,000,000,000 each year on floral products, 
        including cut flowers, garden plants, bedding, and indoor plants;
Whereas nearly 30 percent of households in the United States purchase fresh cut 
        flowers and greens from more than 16,000 florists and floral 
        establishments each year;
Whereas the people of the United States increasingly want to support 
        domestically produced foods and agricultural products and would prefer 
        to buy locally grown flowers whenever possible, yet a majority of 
        domestic consumers do not know where the flowers they purchase are 
        grown;
Whereas in response to increased demand, the ``Certified American Grown 
        Flowers'' logo was created in July 2014 in order to educate and empower 
        consumers to purchase flowers from domestic producers;
Whereas, as of April 2017, millions of stems of domestically grown flowers are 
        now ``Certified American Grown'';
Whereas domestic flower farmers produce thousands of varieties of flowers across 
        the United States, such as peonies in Alaska, Gerbera daisies in 
        California, lupines in Maine, tulips in Washington, lilies in Oregon, 
        and larkspur in Texas;
Whereas the 5 flower varieties with the highest United States production are 
        tulips, Gerbera daisies, lilies, gladiolas and irises;
Whereas people in every State have access to domestically grown flowers, yet 
        only 1 of 5 flowers sold in the United States is domestically grown;
Whereas the domestic cut flower industry creates almost $42,000,000 in economic 
        impact daily and supports hundreds of growers, thousands of small 
        businesses, and tens of thousands of jobs in the United States;
Whereas more people in the United States are expressing interest in growing 
        flowers locally, which has resulted in an approximately 20 percent 
        increase in the number of domestic cut flower farms between 2007 and 
        2012;
Whereas most domestic cut flowers and greens are sold in the United States 
        within 24 to 48 hours after harvest and last longer than flowers shipped 
        longer distances;
Whereas flowers grown domestically enhance the ability of the people of the 
        United States to festively celebrate weddings and births, and honor 
        those who have passed;
Whereas flower-giving has been a holiday tradition in the United States for 
        generations;
Whereas flowers speak to the beauty of motherhood on Mother's Day and to the 
        spirit of love on Valentine's Day;
Whereas flowers are an essential part of other holidays such as Thanksgiving, 
        Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa;
Whereas flowers help commemorate the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces 
        on Memorial Day and Veterans Day; and
Whereas the Senate encourages the cultivation of flowers in the United States by 
        domestic flower farmers: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates July 2018 as ``American Grown Flower 
        Month'';
            (2) recognizes that purchasing flowers grown in the United 
        States supports the farmers, small businesses, jobs, and 
        economy of the United States;
            (3) recognizes that growing flowers and greens in the 
        United States is a vital part of the agricultural industry of 
        the United States;
            (4) recognizes that cultivating flowers domestically 
        enhances the ability of the people of the United States to 
        festively celebrate holidays and special occasions; and
            (5) urges all people of the United States to proactively 
        showcase flowers and greens grown in the United States in order 
        to show support for our flower farmers, processors, and 
        distributors as well as agriculture in the United States 
        overall.
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