[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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