[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 14232]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  THE ROSE: THE NATIONAL FLORAL EMBLEM OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

  (Mr. FLEMING asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. FLEMING. Mr. Speaker, November 20 of this year marks 30 years 
since President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation declaring the rose 
as the National Floral Emblem of the United States of America. The rose 
takes its rightful place as one of our Nation's symbols, along with the 
American flag, our national motto--In God We Trust--and our national 
anthem.
  Based in Shreveport, Louisiana, the American Rose Society promotes 
the appreciation of the rose and proudly bears the heritage of being 
the oldest single-plant horticultural society in our country.
  The American Rose Center's gardens also display over 65 separate 
gardens and 20,000 different rosebushes for visitors, enthusiasts, and 
gardeners to all enjoy.
  I join the American Rose Society in celebrating this occasion, 
remembering the words of President Ronald Reagan from 30 years ago: 
``The American people have long held a special place in their hearts 
for roses. Let us continue to cherish them, to honor the love and 
devotion they represent, and to bestow them on all we love just as God 
has bestowed them on us.''

                          ____________________