[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 108 (Monday, July 9, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S8880]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL WATERMELON MONTH

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of and the Senate 
now proceed to S. Res. 262.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 262) designating July 2007 as 
     ``National Watermelon Month.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 262) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 262

       Whereas watermelon production constitutes an important 
     sector of the agricultural industry of the United States;
       Whereas, according to the January 2006 statistics compiled 
     by the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the United 
     States Department of Agriculture, the United States produces 
     4,200,000,000 pounds of watermelon annually;
       Whereas watermelon is grown in 49 States, is purchased and 
     consumed in all 50 States, and is exported to Canada;
       Whereas evidence indicates that eating 2\1/2\ to 5 cups of 
     fruits and vegetables daily as part of a healthy diet will 
     improve health and protect against diseases such as cancer, 
     high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease;
       Whereas proper diet and nutrition are important factors in 
     preventing diseases such as childhood obesity and diabetes;
       Whereas watermelon has no fat or cholesterol and is an 
     excellent source of the vitamins A, B6, and C, fiber, and 
     potassium, which are vital to good health and disease 
     prevention;
       Whereas watermelon is also an excellent source of lycopene;
       Whereas lycopene, an antioxidant found only in a few red 
     plant foods, has been shown to reduce the risk of certain 
     cancers;
       Whereas watermelon is a heart-healthy food that has 
     qualified for the heart-check mark from the American Heart 
     Association;
       Whereas watermelon has been a nutritious summer favorite 
     from generation to generation; and
       Whereas it is important to educate citizens of the United 
     States regarding the health benefits of watermelon and other 
     fruits and vegetables: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Watermelon 
     Month'';
       (2) calls on the Federal Government, States, localities, 
     schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other entities, 
     and the people of the United States to observe the month with 
     appropriate programs and activities; and
       (3) designates July 2007 as ``National Watermelon Month''.


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