[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6173]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


  EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT DOMESTICALLY GROWN FLOWERS 
SUPPORT THE FARMERS, SMALL BUSINESSES, JOBS, AND ECONOMY OF THE UNITED 
                                 STATES

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 166, submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 166) expressing the sense of the 
     Senate that domestically grown flowers support the farmers, 
     small businesses, jobs, and economy of the United States, 
     enhance the ability of the people of the United States to 
     honor their mothers on Mother's Day, and that the White House 
     should strive to showcase domestically grown flowers.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to express my support for 
American flower growers, having submitted a resolution designating 
Mother's Day, May 10, 2015, as a special day to honor the role that 
domestically grown flowers play in the ability of Americans to honor 
their mothers. This resolution is cosponsored by Senators Barbara Boxer 
and Lisa Murkowski.
  Americans truly care about where the goods they purchase and the 
foods they eat are produced. They have a strong desire to support their 
local economies and help their communities thrive. And purchasing 
agricultural products grown in our country supports American farmers. 
American-grown agricultural products are often fresher and last longer 
than imports because they are not shipped as far as products grown 
abroad.
  This is also the case for American-grown flowers. The majority of 
Americans would prefer to buy more locally grown flowers if given the 
choice, yet only one out of every five flowers sold in the United 
States is grown in the country.
  Every State has access to domestically grown flowers, but three-
quarters of Americans do not know where the flowers they purchase are 
grown.
  American-grown flowers create almost $42 million in economic impact 
per day. These flowers not only support the flower growers but also the 
16,000 florists and floral establishments across the country that sell 
them.
  Many of these growers and florists run small businesses that are 
critical to our Nation's economic strength. They create jobs and 
contribute to the economy of their respective communities. These 
businesses produce flowers that provide a beautiful and elegant way for 
Americans to show affection for their family members and loved ones.
  The popularity of American-grown flowers is increasing, and I am 
pleased to see that the White House is involved in promoting American-
grown flowers as well. Last year, the First Lady highlighted the beauty 
of domestic flowers by displaying a number of varieties at the only 
State Dinner of the year. The dinner featured flowers from Mississippi, 
New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, and, I am proud to say, California.
  California is the largest cut flower producer in the Nation. The 
State grows more than 116 types of flowers, including roses, irises, 
lilies, tulips, and gerbera. At my home in San Francisco, I maintain a 
garden filled with many of the flowers and plants that flourish across 
California. My garden has beautiful magnolias, azaleas, pansies, and 
dahlias. I also have drought-resistant gazanias, which is more 
important than ever given the severe water shortage in the State.
  When you give someone a California-grown flower, it was most likely 
harvested within the last 48 hours. I am delighted that my State is 
home to the flowers that help Americans show their loved ones how much 
they care.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring American-grown flowers 
this Mother's Day. I hope that this resolution will remind consumers 
about how they can support local farmers when they shop for flowers 
this Mother's Day.
  Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed 
to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be 
considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or 
debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 166) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')

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