[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 31 (Thursday, March 3, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1236-S1237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 87--DESIGNATING THE YEAR OF 2012 AS THE
``INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF COOPERATIVES''
Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota (for himself, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Kohl, Mr.
Enzi, Ms. Collins, Mr. Franken, Mr. Tester, Mr. Grassley, Ms.
Klobuchar, Mr. Wicker, Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Pryor, Mr.
Conrad, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Mr. Schumer, Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Boxer, Mr.
Baucus, Ms. Stabenow, Ms. Cantwell, and Mr. Nelson of Nebraska)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on the Judiciary:
S. Res. 87
Whereas in the United States, there are more than 29,000
cooperatives with 120,000,000 members;
Whereas cooperatives in the United States generate
2,000,000 jobs and make a substantial contribution to the
economy of the United States with annual sales of
$652,000,000,000 and assets of $3,000,000,000,000;
Whereas the cooperative business model has empowered people
around the world to improve their lives through economic and
social progress;
Whereas cooperatives are a major economic force in
developed countries and a powerful business model in
developing countries, employing approximately 100,000,000
people;
Whereas there are millions of cooperatives, which are owned
and governed by more than 1,000,000,000 members, operating in
every nation of the world;
Whereas the economic activity of the largest 300
cooperatives in the world is equal to that of the 10th
largest national economy;
Whereas United Nations Resolution 64/136, adopted by the
General Assembly on December 18, 2009, designates the year
2012 as the ``International Year of Cooperatives'';
Whereas the theme of the International Year of Cooperatives
is ``Cooperative Enterprise Builds a Better World''; and
Whereas cooperatives are the businesses of the people, and
for more than a century, have been a vital part of the world
economy: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates the year 2012 as the ``International Year of
Cooperatives'';
(2) congratulates cooperatives and members of cooperatives
in the United States and around the world on the recognition
of the United Nations of 2012 as the ``International Year of
Cooperatives'';
(3) recognizes the vital role cooperatives play in the
economic and social well-being of the United States;
(4) urges the establishment of a National Committee for the
2012 International Year of Cooperatives to be comprised of
representatives from each Federal agency, all cooperative
sectors, and key stakeholders;
(5) recognizes the importance of raising the profile of
cooperatives and demonstrating the manner by which
cooperatives build local wealth, generate employment, and
provide competition in the marketplace; and
(6) encourages highlighting the positive impact of
cooperatives and developing new programs for domestic and
international cooperative development.
Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. President, today I submitted a
resolution with my friend, Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi, to
recognize and celebrate the importance of cooperatives to our economy,
and our rural communities in particular. In 2009, the United Nations
General Assembly officially declared 2012 as ``The International Year
of Cooperatives'' through a resolution calling on governments to
recognize the important role cooperatives play in providing economic
opportunity for millions of people in the United States and throughout
the world. Our resolution highlights the impact of cooperatives and
encourages the development of programs, both here and abroad, for
cooperative development.
The Capper-Volstead Act of 1922 was the first legal protection for
the cooperative business model in which a business is democratically
controlled and owned by its members and operates for the mutual benefit
of its members. The membership of a cooperative is comprised of the
individuals who use the business' services or buy its goods. The
Capper-Volstead Act was originally enacted with the purpose of legally
empowering farmers to pool their marketing resources and to improve
farmers' bargaining power with the buyers of their products. The
cooperative business model has since expanded to other areas of the
economy, and has contributed significantly to economic growth in rural
communities.
A recent study from the University of Wisconsin Center for
Cooperatives found that today, 29,000 U.S. cooperatives operate at
73,000 places of business throughout the country. They have a
significant impact on the economy, employing around 2 million people
and generating more than $650 billion in revenue annually.
Additionally, the member-owned and controlled nature of cooperatives,
particularly in rural States like South Dakota, helps to ensure that
economic activity remains in the community. Having a membership stake
in a local business tends to make one more likely to buy goods or
services from that business, thereby contributing to local economic
development. Research has even shown that when consumers find out a
business is organized as a cooperative, they are more likely to do
business with that entity.
Overall, Americans hold 350 million memberships in cooperatives. A
majority of our Nation's farmers are members of nearly 3,000 farmer-
owned cooperatives, which provide more than 250 thousand jobs in our
economy. There are more than 900 rural electric cooperatives servicing
42 million people in almost every State, and over 91 million people
bank at more than 7,500 credit unions throughout the country. In South
Dakota alone, 81 farm supply and marketing cooperatives claim 65,000
memberships, generating $5.3 billion in annual revenue. The 50 credit
unions located in my home State hold 24,600 memberships and generate
$2.2 billion in assets. Additionally, there are 125,000 members of the
30 electric cooperatives and 49,000 members of 11 telephone
cooperatives throughout the State. Cooperatives clearly take many
different forms in our communities, providing jobs and opportunities
for rural residents, and in the case of agriculture, provide new
markets for the products they produce.
My resolution will officially include the United States in
recognizing 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives,
[[Page S1237]]
and encourage the growth and development of businesses throughout the
world. I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing and celebrating
the contributions of cooperatives and pass this important resolution
this year.
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