[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 128 (Tuesday, November 14, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H8635-H8637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE INDUSTRY TO THE 
                         UNITED STATES ECONOMY

  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
joint resolution (H.J. Res. 96) recognizing the contributions of the 
Christmas tree industry to the United States economy and urging the 
Secretary of Agriculture to establish programs to raise awareness of 
the importance of the Christmas tree industry, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H.J. Res. 96

       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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. 
Peterson) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend my colleague, the gentlewoman 
from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) for introducing this resolution. The 
Christmas tree industry is an important part of the American 
agricultural industry and is an important part of the rural and 
forested landscape of Virginia and many other States. One of the 
leading States in the industry is my own.
  Christmas tree growers, like many other family farmers and forest 
landowners, are stewards of the land. They are bound together by a love 
of the land and a desire to produce renewable products that enhance 
people's lives while protecting the environment.
  For many family forest landowners, Christmas tree growing provides a 
source of annual income. While this income is rarely enough to make a 
living on, it allows family growers to make long-term investments for 
the management of their woodlands. For many small growers, this income 
is critical to allowing them to keep their forests green and growing, 
rather than subdividing or switching to another land use.
  According to the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association, there 
are thousands of growers in the Commonwealth who produce more than 1 
million trees annually, ranging from commercial operations to choose-
and-cut family farms. These trees annually account for nearly $50 
million in revenue.
  Like other segments of the forest products industry, Christmas tree 
growers are engaged in a renewable, sustainable activity. They plant 
millions of new trees every year, 73 million trees that cover over a 
half million acres to be precise. That is a lot of land protected from 
development and a lot of new trees helping to clean the air, protect 
watersheds and improve the environment.
  Just as growing Christmas trees helps renew the environment, the 
annual tradition of bringing home a tree and decorating it helps renew 
the faith of millions of families as they gather to celebrate 
Christmas. In the Christmas season, the Christmas tree is a symbol of 
joy and goodwill, and we are grateful to all who work to provide this 
American tradition.
  I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Minnesota, the 
ranking member of the committee, for his support in our efforts to move 
this legislation forward.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 96. Congresswoman 
Foxx's resolution recognizes the success and importance of the live-cut 
Christmas tree industry in the United States, and the economic strength 
and cultural contribution of this industry makes this resolution worthy 
of congressional support.
  Mr. Speaker, before I recognize other Members, I would like to take a 
minute to recognize the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Goodlatte) who has served with distinction as chairman of the 
Agriculture Committee over these last few years.
  The Agriculture Committee has always enjoyed a reputation as one of 
the most bipartisan committees in the Congress, and Chairman Goodlatte 
has continued that great tradition of cooperation. Under his direction, 
the committee has accomplished important things. His leadership led to 
the passage of historic measures to protect our national forests. He 
took a strong stand for American agriculture in the face of 
unreasonable proposals from our trade partners, making it clear that we 
would prefer no deal to a bad deal. He started the process of writing 
the new farm bill with a series of field hearings across the Nation and 
ensured that the many voices of agriculture were heard.
  Mr. Speaker, anybody who cares about American agriculture, or for 
that matter, anybody who eats in this country, should give Bob 
Goodlatte their thanks for the outstanding job he has done on the 
committee. I look forward to working with him as we continue this 
process on the farm bill.

[[Page H8636]]

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for 
his kind words, and I look forward to working with him in a new 
capacity in the new Congress. He certainly has my commitment that we 
will continue to work together for the interests of America's farmers 
and ranchers and agribusinesses in the bipartisan fashion that has been 
the history of the Agriculture Committee
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the author of 
the legislation, the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my great privilege to rise today as the House 
considers House Joint Resolution 96, a bill I authored, to recognize 
the contributions of the live Christmas tree industry to the United 
States economy. Having been a Christmas tree farmer myself, I can 
attest to the importance of recognizing this often overlooked farming 
industry.
  My district is one of the largest producers of live-cut Christmas 
trees in the country. North Carolina has an estimated 50 million Fraser 
fir Christmas trees growing on over 25,000 acres. Fraser firs represent 
over 95 percent of all species grown in North Carolina. They are grown 
in the far western North Carolina counties, including Allegheny, Ashe, 
Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, 
Swain, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey.
  There are over 1,600 North Carolina growers. The North Carolina 
Christmas tree industry is ranked second in the Nation in number of 
trees harvested, producing over 19 percent of the real Christmas trees 
in the United States.
  The North Carolina Fraser fir has been judged the Nation's best 
through a contest sponsored by the National Christmas Tree Association 
and chosen for the official White House Christmas tree nine times, more 
than any other species, in the years 1971, 1973, 1982, 1985, 1991, 
1993, 1995, 1997 and 2005.

                              {time}  1315

  The North Carolina Fraser fir Christmas tree is the most popular 
Christmas tree in North America and is shipped to every State in the 
U.S. as well as the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, Japan, 
and other points all over the world.
  The Christmas tree industry supports our economy and environment. 
Christmas trees are grown in all 50 States with North Carolina, Oregon, 
Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota, 
Virginia, California, and Ohio being the top Christmas tree-producing 
States. Nationally, there are more than 21,000 Christmas tree growers 
and more than 100,000 people employed in the live-cut Christmas tree 
industry. Thirty-six million of all live-cut Christmas trees are 
produced each year, and 98 percent are shipped or sold directly from 
Christmas tree farms. On average over 1,500 Christmas trees are planted 
per acre, providing an abundant habitat for wildlife.
  The retail value of all live Christmas trees harvested in 2005 was 
$1.4 billion. Live-cut Christmas trees have been sold commercially in 
the United States since 1850, and by 1900 one in five American families 
decorated live-cut trees during Christmas. By 1930 the tree had become 
a nearly universal part of the American Christmas. For generations 
American families have traveled hundreds and thousands of miles to 
celebrate the holiday season together at home around the Christmas 
tree. I think it is difficult to overstate the way that having a live, 
lit Christmas tree in a room can set a warm and positive tone for a 
family.
  I would like to thank the majority leader, the chairman, and ranking 
member of the Committee on Agriculture for their assistance in getting 
this bill to the floor and for their very appropriate remarks today.
  I urge my colleagues to support this measure recognizing this 
important industry not just for its economic impact but also for its 
cultural contribution to the Christmas holiday.
  I also want to thank the growers for their contributions to our 
economy, our environment, and our Nation's heritage.
  Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 
minutes to a good friend of mine and a good friend of American 
agriculture, Congresswoman Darlene Hooley from Oregon.
  Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for 
yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, when you think of Oregon, the first thing you think of 
is trees. Therefore, it should be no surprise that my home State, 
Oregon, is the largest producer of Christmas trees in the Nation. I am 
proud to say the overwhelming majority are grown in my district. We 
have hundreds and hundreds of Christmas tree growers.
  In the coming weeks it is estimated that Oregon growers will be 
harvesting 7.8 million Christmas trees, roughly one quarter of the 
total nationwide. Not only will these trees make their way to homes in 
America but also homes in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Panama, Costa Rica, 
Philippines, Taiwan, Guam, as well as many other international 
destinations.
  I want to thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina for bringing this 
bill to the House floor today. With the holiday season just around the 
corner, there could not be a more appropriate time for the House of 
Representatives to recognize the joy the Christmas tree industry brings 
to homes across our country this time of year. There is no better 
activity than going with a family to pick out that Christmas tree.
  Please support H.J. Resolution 96.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, at this time I am pleased to yield such 
time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
McHenry).
  Mr. McHENRY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the Agriculture 
Committee for yielding me time to speak about an important industry in 
my district.
  And I want to thank my fellow Member of Congress from North Carolina, 
Virginia Foxx, for her leadership on this important agricultural issue 
for our districts, which border each other in the mountains of western 
North Carolina.
  We have got a wonderful industry in my district centered around Avery 
County, and this resolution today honors those men and women that work 
so very hard in the Christmas tree growing business. They provide a 
wonderful service and a wonderful product for Americans all around the 
country. And coming from a small county in western North Carolina, it 
is a wonderful privilege.
  Outside of western North Carolina this niche industry is often 
overlooked, but inside of our region it is never under appreciated. 
There are over 1,600 Christmas tree growers in North Carolina who 
produce over 19 percent of the real Christmas trees in the United 
States. Not those fake ones. The real ones. The evergreens. And the 
Fraser fir, which is grown in western North Carolina, is the most 
popular Christmas tree in North America and is shipped to every State 
in the U.S. as well as the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, Japan, 
and other points around the globe, from little old counties in western 
North Carolina, and I do want to pay tribute to the Christmas tree 
growers and the contribution they make to our country and our States 
and my district, and it is with great pleasure that I also pay tribute 
to the small communities in the mountains that work so hard to produce 
products to send around the country and around the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues' support of this great resolution 
that will help and honor our industries in western North Carolina
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, as the Congressman with the privilege to 
represent Estacada, Oregon--the Christmas Tree Capital of the WorId--I 
rise in strong support of this resolution.
  Christmas trees are a large part of Oregon's nursery and tree 
industry. In fact, Oregon leads the Nation in Christmas tree 
production, with 6.9 million trees sold last year at a value of nearly 
$108 million to the Oregon economy. In particular, Clackamas County--
which I am proud to represent along with Ms. Hooley--is the largest 
producing county in the country with $36.8 million in sales from 17,500 
acres of Christmas trees. Across our state, there are almost 1,600 
Christmas tree operations, encompassing an area over one and half times 
the size of Washington, DC and employing close to 10,000 people at 
total wages of over $32 million.

[[Page H8637]]

  Oregon farmers began hauling Christmas trees for out-of-state sales 
by horse and wagon at the turn of the 20th century. It's now the sixth-
largest agricultural industry in Oregon, and our crop covers 31 percent 
of the market. Oregon Christmas trees can be found across the country 
and across the world.
  I thank the gentlelady from North Carolina for offering this 
resolution. As we head into consideration of the 2007 Farm Bill, it 
provides an important reminder that the agriculture upon which many of 
our communities depend is more than corn and cotton. Our federal farm 
policy should reflect the diversity of American agriculture and ensure 
a fair playing field for all of our farmers and ranchers.
  Already, Oregon nurseries and vineyards, ranchers, and farmers are 
leading the way, showing how we can craft winning policies that are 
good for farmers, the land, the environment, consumers, our water 
supplies, and wildlife. I look forward to the opportunity to work with 
my friends on the Agriculture Committee, to build on this good work and 
take it to the next level, and, in true Oregon tradition, create an 
opportunity to unite citizens throughout the state.
  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 96, 
a bill recognizing the American Christmas tree industry, and the 
important role that it plays in U.S. agriculture.
  This resolution is a timely one as we approach the upcoming holiday 
season. And for my home state of North Carolina, it is also one that 
reminds us of the tremendous impact that agriculture has on our state's 
economy. The Christmas tree industry in North Carolina is ranked second 
in the Nation, with more than 30,000 acres in production that 
contributes over $100 million to our state's economy.
  This resolution reminds us that there are many facets to our Nation's 
diverse agricultural economy. Agriculture now includes such specialties 
as aquaculture, trees and ornamental horticulture, landscaping, and 
turf production. The Christmas tree industry in North Carolina is an 
example of the growth and development of the industry.
  I urge support on House Resolution 96.
  Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests 
for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 96, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds of those voting having 
responded in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the joint 
resolution, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the joint resolution was amended so as to read: ``Joint 
resolution recognizing the contributions of the Christmas tree industry 
to the United States economy.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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