[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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