On the Campaign Trail Agriculture Day in Colorado Second Regular Session Sixty-ninth General Assembly STATE OF COLORADO ENGROSSED LLS NO. R14-0927.01 Kurt Woock x4349 HJR14-1014 House Committees Senate Committees HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 14-1014 101 CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF MARCH 26, 2014, AS 102 AGRICULTURE DAY IN COLORADO. 1 WHEREAS, Americans enjoy the safest, most abundant, and most 2 affordable food supply in the world, thanks largely to the efficiency and 3 productivity of Americas farm and ranch families; and 4 WHEREAS, As the worlds population grows from 7 billion to 9 5 billion by 2045, farmers and ranchers face the challenge of producing 6 more food, feed, fiber, and fuel; and 7 WHEREAS, Today, 98% of all U.S. farms are family-owned, and 8 each American farmer feeds more than 156 people, a dramatic increase 9 from the 1960s, when each farmer could feed only 25 people; and HOUSE Final Reading March 26, 2014 HOUSE SPONSORSHIP Sonnenberg, SENATE SPONSORSHIP Brophy, Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment. Capital letters indicate new material to be added to existing statute. Dashes through the words indicate deletions from existing statute. 1 WHEREAS, Americans spend less than 10% of their annual 2 income on food, less than any other developed nation, while American 3 farmers and ranchers receive only 12 cents of every dollar spent on food; 4 and 5 WHEREAS, American farmers and ranchers are the most capable 6 and responsible providers for the safety, health, and well-being of their 7 livestock; and 8 WHEREAS, The agriculture industry is the second largest industry 9 in Colorado, supporting more than 173,000 jobs in Colorado and 10 contributing $41 billion to the states economy; and 11 WHEREAS, Colorado was responsible for exporting more than $2 12 billion in food and agricultural products in 2012; and 13 WHEREAS, Colorado agriculture contributes to national security 14 not only by providing food and fiber, but also by producing energy; and 15 WHEREAS, Colorado recognizes landowners whose livelihood 16 depends upon the property they reside on, operate on, and care for as they 17 work to provide basic necessities to all; and 18 WHEREAS, Colorados agriculture industry requires an adequate, 19 reliable work force in order to provide food from the field to the table; 20 and 21 WHEREAS, Colorados farms and ranches provide wildlife 22 habitats, open space, and a site for innovative and sustainable farming 23 practices that ensure the protection of state resources; and 24 WHEREAS, Colorados agriculture industry produces a diverse 25 and valuable array of livestock and crops, including cattle, sheep, hogs, 26 goats, bison, elk, eggs, wine grapes, fruit, vegetables, greenhouse and 27 nursery products, honey, and aquaculture, as well as commodities 28 including corn, wheat, and hay; and 29 WHEREAS, Colorados agriculturists employ sound animal 30 husbandry practices, ensuring that livestock remain healthy, productive, 31 and content; and -2- 1014 1 WHEREAS, Colorado agriculture provides an estimated $67.5 2 million annually to support the states wildlife; and 3 WHEREAS, Colorados farmers and ranchers are innovative 4 entrepreneurs and business leaders who remain resilient in their 5 dedication to the continued prosperity of the states agriculture; and 6 WHEREAS, The protection of private property and the rights of 7 landowners who provide wholesome, safe food to Americans and others 8 worldwide is essential; and 9 WHEREAS, Farmers and ranchers are critical to Colorado 10 agritourism, welcoming tourists from around the world and showing them 11 all Colorado has to offer; and 12 WHEREAS, Losing agricultural land and water to other uses will 13 result in overall negative impacts to the states economy and a loss of food 14 production vital to all Coloradans; and 15 WHEREAS, March 25, 2014, is National Agriculture Day; now, 16 therefore, 17 Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Sixty-ninth 18 General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the Senate concurring herein: 19 That we, the members of the General Assembly, proudly recognize 20 Colorado Agriculture Day on March 26, 2014, in celebration of the 21 many men and women who strengthen the nations agriculture industry; 22 promote a safe, high quality, and sustainable food supply; and protect 23 consumers, the environment, and natural resources. 24 Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent 25 to the Honorable Governor, John Hickenlooper; Colorado Commissioner 26 of Agriculture, John Salazar; and the members of the Colorado 27 Congressional Delegation.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 20:54:03 +0000
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