[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 882 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 882

  Recognizing the importance of the blueberry industry to the United 
   States of America and supporting the designation of July 2020 as 
                     ``National Blueberry Month''.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 2, 2020

    Mr. Upton (for himself and Mr. Bishop of Georgia) submitted the 
     following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                              Agriculture

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                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the importance of the blueberry industry to the United 
   States of America and supporting the designation of July 2020 as 
                     ``National Blueberry Month''.

Whereas blueberries are a native North American fruit, first used fresh and 
        dried in food and medicines by Native Americans who introduced them to 
        early colonists, which led to new uses and forms, including frozen, 
        establishing traditions still observed today;
Whereas the pioneering work conducted in New Jersey by Elizabeth White and Dr. 
        Frederick Coville, a Department of Agriculture botanist, in the early 
        1900s, to domesticate wild lowbush blueberries resulted in the 
        development of the hybrid for cultivated highbush blueberries;
Whereas because of these early efforts, highbush blueberries are large, sweet, 
        juicy berries that can be commercially produced and shipped, allowing 
        them to become an important United States agricultural industry;
Whereas highbush blueberries have a harvested area estimated at more than 97,000 
        acres and are produced in 48 States by more than 14,000 growers and 
        their families;
Whereas highbush blueberry production in the United States has continually 
        increased, with particular growth in the past two decades, to reach a 
        harvest of 551,100,000 pounds in 2018;
Whereas blueberries are low in fat, and a source of fiber, vitamins, and 
        minerals;
Whereas blueberries are being studied to examine the role they may play in 
        promoting good health in areas such as cardiovascular health, brain 
        health, exercise, insulin response, and gut health; and
Whereas highbush blueberries are harvested in the United States from April 
        through early September, with the harvest reaching its peak in July: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``National Blueberry 
        Month'';
            (2) recognizes the contributions of American growers and 
        their families; and
            (3) recognizes that purchasing American grown blueberries 
        supports farmers, jobs, and the economy.
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