[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 39 (Thursday, March 10, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S1443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 397--SUPPORTING THE RECOGNITION OF 2016 AS THE ``YEAR 
  OF PULSES'' AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE NUTRITIONAL BENEFIT AND IMPORTANT 
               CONTRIBUTION TO SOIL HEALTH OF PULSE CROPS

  Ms. CANTWELL (for herself, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Tester, Mrs. Murray, and 
Ms. Heitkamp) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry:

                              S. Res. 397

       Whereas the United States will celebrate 2016 as the ``Year 
     of Pulses'';
       Whereas the 68th United Nations General Assembly declared 
     2016 as the International Year of Pulses;
       Whereas a pulse is a dry, edible seed of a plant in the 
     legume family, including a dry bean, dry pea, lentil, or 
     chickpea;
       Whereas pulse crops are grown in abundance in Arizona, 
     California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, 
     Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South 
     Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming;
       Whereas a pulse is an important component of a nutritious 
     diet and is high in plant-based protein, vitamins, fiber, and 
     minerals, including iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc;
       Whereas a pulse helps prevent serious and chronic illness, 
     including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke;
       Whereas a legume serves as an important rotation crop, 
     keeps soil fertile, and improves overall soil health by 
     replenishing nitrogen;
       Whereas a pulse crop provides food security and nutrition 
     to much of the developing world as a low-cost source of 
     protein; and
       Whereas a pulse crop is an important economic development 
     crop for small farmers, for both domestic production and 
     export potential: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports--
       (1) the recognition of 2016 as the ``Year of Pulses'';
       (2) the participation by representatives of the Federal 
     Government in events and activities organized pursuant to the 
     observance by the United Nations of the International Year of 
     Pulses in 2016; and
       (3) the future funding of programs to support the 
     cultivation and consumption of pulses.

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