[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 25, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1069]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 NATIONAL TURKEY FEDERATION'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF TURKEY LOVERS' MONTH

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                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 2014

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to recognize the National Turkey Federation's 25th anniversary of 
Turkey Lovers' Month this June.
  In the 1780's, Ben Franklin wrote a letter to his daughter, extolling 
the virtues of the turkey. In this letter Franklin said the bird's 
roots are grounded in America and its courage, when in the farm yard, 
is without contest. For this reason, and many more, it is fitting to 
remind Americans that June is Turkey Lovers' Month. Turkey consumption 
in the United States has increased 110 percent since 1970. At that 
time, 50 percent of all turkey consumed was during the holidays. Today, 
more turkey is consumed year round, with just 31 percent of all turkey 
being consumed during the holiday season. Over the years, turkey 
producers and processors have diversified their product lines to 
include ground turkey, breakfast sausage, tenderloin, turkey leg, 
breast, and fresh-sliced deli meat.
  The average American consumer enjoys 16 pounds of turkey annually. 
Residents of the great State of California eat more turkey than any 
other state, exceeding more than 600 million pounds per year. In fact, 
California's per capita consumption of turkey meat is 21 pounds, five 
pounds higher than the national average. In 2012, California turkey 
producers raised over 15.5 million birds, ranking our state among the 
top 10 highest turkey producing states and home to household names such 
as Foster Farms, Zacky Farms, Willie Bird Turkeys, and Pitman Farms.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 25th 
anniversary of Turkey Lovers' Month.

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