[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11136]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 221--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 25, 2017, AS ``NATIONAL 
                             LOBSTER DAY''

  Mr. KING (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. 
Blumenthal, Mr. Murphy, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Markey) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 221

       Whereas the American lobster is recognized around the world 
     as a prized and flavorful culinary delicacy;
       Whereas lobster fishing has served as an economic engine 
     and family tradition in the United States for centuries;
       Whereas thousands of families in the United States make 
     their livelihoods from lobster fishing and processing;
       Whereas, with approximately 150,000,000 pounds of lobster 
     landed each year in the United States, at an annual value of 
     more than $500,000,000, lobster represents one of the most 
     valuable catches in the United States;
       Whereas foreign markets for lobster from the United States 
     are booming, with export values having nearly tripled since 
     2005;
       Whereas historical lore notes that lobster likely joined 
     turkey on the table at the very first Thanksgiving feast in 
     1621;
       Whereas responsible lobstering practices beginning in the 
     1600s have created one of the most sustainable fisheries in 
     the world;
       Whereas 2017 marks the 145th anniversary of lobster 
     conservation efforts in the United States, starting with a 
     Maine law banning the harvest of egg-bearing females;
       Whereas, throughout history, United States presidents have 
     served lobster at their inaugural celebrations and state 
     dinners with international leaders;
       Whereas lobster is an excellent, versatile source of lean 
     protein that is low in saturated fat and high in vitamin B12;
       Whereas the peak of the lobstering season in the United 
     States occurs in the late summer;
       Whereas the preservation and long distance transportation 
     of lobster meat was first achieved 175 years ago with the 
     advent of a canning process;
       Whereas lobster has become a culinary icon, with the 
     lobster roll featured at the 2015 World Food Expo in Milan, 
     Italy; and
       Whereas lobster is enjoyed at casual beach-side lobster 
     boils and also revered as a delicacy at fine dining 
     restaurants: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 25, 2017, as ``National Lobster 
     Day''; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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