[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 118 (Tuesday, July 11, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S2315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 289--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF JULY 
                2023 AS ``AMERICAN GROWN FLOWER MONTH''

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Sullivan, and Mr. Padilla) submitted 
the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 289

       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 $59,000,000,000 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 12,000 florists and floral establishments;
       Whereas the annual per capita spending on floral products 
     by consumers in the United States is more than $177;
       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 flower and foliage varieties with the highest 
     production in the United States are tulips, lilies, Gerbera 
     daisies, gladiolas, leatherleaf, irises, and roses;
       Whereas people in every State have access to domestically 
     grown flowers and foliage, yet only 22 percent of flowers and 
     foliage sold in the United States are 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 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 2023 as ``American 
     Grown Flower 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
       (B) the agricultural industry of the United States overall.

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