[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 130 (Monday, July 26, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5071-S5072]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 318--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF JULY 
          2021 AS ``AMERICAN GROWN FLOWER AND FOLIAGE MONTH''

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Padilla, and Mr. Sullivan) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry:

                              S. Res. 318

       Whereas cut flower and foliage growers in the United States 
     are hard-working, dedicated individuals who bring beauty, 
     economic stimulus, and pride to their communities and the 
     United States;
       Whereas the people of the United States have a long history 
     of using flowers and foliage grown in the United States to 
     bring beauty to important events and express affection for 
     loved ones;
       Whereas consumers spend over $35,000,000,000 each year on 
     floral products, including cut flowers, garden plants, 
     bedding, and indoor plants;
       Whereas, each year, an increasing number of households in 
     the United States purchase fresh cut flowers and foliage from 
     more than 16,000 florists and floral establishments;
       Whereas the annual per capita spending on floral products 
     by consumers in the United States is almost $108;
       Whereas the people of the United States increasingly want 
     to support domestically produced foods and agricultural 
     products and would prefer to buy locally grown flowers and 
     foliage whenever possible, yet a majority of domestic 
     consumers do not know where the flowers and foliage they 
     purchase are grown;
       Whereas, in response to increased demand, the ``Certified 
     American Grown'' logo was created in July 2014 in order to 
     educate and empower consumers to purchase flowers and foliage 
     from domestic producers;
       Whereas millions of stems of domestically grown flowers and 
     foliage are now ``Certified American Grown'';
       Whereas domestic flower and foliage farmers produce 
     thousands of varieties of flowers and foliage across the 
     United States, such as peonies in Alaska, Gerbera daisies in 
     California, lupines in Maine, tulips in Washington, lilies in 
     Oregon, larkspur in Texas, and leatherleaf in Florida;
       Whereas the top flower and foliage varieties with the 
     highest production in the United States are tulips, Gerbera 
     daisies, lilies, gladiolas, roses, and leatherleaf;
       Whereas people in every State have access to domestically 
     grown flowers and foliage, yet only 20 percent of flowers and 
     foliage sold in the United States is domestically grown;
       Whereas the domestic cut flower and foliage industry--
       (1) creates a substantial economic impact daily; and
       (2) supports hundreds of growers, thousands of small 
     businesses, and tens of thousands of jobs in the United 
     States;
       Whereas most domestic cut flowers and foliage are sold in 
     the United States within 24 to 48 hours after harvest and 
     last longer than flowers shipped longer distances;
       Whereas flowers and foliage grown domestically enhance the 
     ability of the people of the United States to festively 
     celebrate weddings and births and honor those who have 
     passed;
       Whereas flower and foliage giving has been a holiday 
     tradition in the United States for generations;
       Whereas flowers and foliage speak to the beauty of 
     motherhood on Mother's Day and to the spirit of love on 
     Valentine's Day;
       Whereas flowers and foliage are an essential part of other 
     holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and 
     Kwanzaa;
       Whereas flowers and foliage help commemorate the service 
     and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces on Memorial Day 
     and Veterans Day; and
       Whereas the Senate encourages the cultivation of flowers 
     and foliage in the United States by domestic flower and 
     foliage farmers: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of July 2021 as ``American 
     Grown Flower and Foliage Month'';
       (2) recognizes that purchasing flowers and foliage grown in 
     the United States supports the farmers, small businesses, 
     jobs, and economy of the United States;
       (3) recognizes that growing flowers and foliage in the 
     United States is a vital part of the agricultural industry of 
     the United States;
       (4) recognizes that cultivating flowers and foliage 
     domestically enhances the ability of the people of the United 
     States to festively celebrate holidays and special occasions; 
     and
       (5) urges all people of the United States to proactively 
     showcase flowers and foliage grown in the United States in 
     order to show support for--
       (A) the flower and foliage farmers, processors, and 
     distributors in the United States; and

[[Page S5072]]

       (B) the agricultural industry of the United States overall.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the American 
Grown Flower and Foliage Month resolution. This resolution is 
cosponsored by Senator Padilla and Senator Sullivan, and I want to 
thank them for joining me in introducing this resolution.
  This resolution designates July 2021 as ``American Grown Flower and 
Foliage Month'' and recognizes the important contributions of all those 
involved in the flower and foliage industry make to our Nation, and 
also notes the long history that flowers have in our Nation and 
society.
  Every year, thousands of households in the United States purchase 
fresh cut flowers and foliage from more than 16,000 florists and floral 
establishments. American consumers spend $35 billion per year on floral 
products each year.
  California is the cut flower capital of the United States, producing 
nearly 75 percent of American-grown flowers. While the majority of 
Americans would prefer to buy locally grown flowers, only 20 percent of 
the flowers sold in the United States are grown domestically.
  Flowers are used for all types of occasions. They help us celebrate 
major life events, and help us to mourn. The flower and foliage 
industry is also a major employer in the United States. This industry 
supports hundreds of growers, thousands of small businesses, and tens 
of thousands of jobs in the United States.
  Our resolution encourages consumers to look for the `Certified 
American Grown' label to support local farmers this month and 
throughout the year. If consumers are able to differentiate between 
American-grown flowers and those that have been imported, many would 
choose to purchase U.S.-grown flowers and support the U.S. industry.
  This resolution is an important way to recognize a major part of the 
agricultural industry in the United States, and I encourage my 
colleagues to move to pass this resolution to commemorate this 
important month as ``American Grown Flower and Foliage Month.''
  Thank you Mr. President. I yield the Floor.

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