2011
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 11-1011
       
       BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Sonnenberg, Acree, Balmer, Barker,
       Baumgardner, Becker, Beezley, Bradford, Brown, Casso, Conti,
       Coram, Court, DelGrosso, Duran, Ferrandino, Fields, Fischer,
       Gardner B., Gardner D., Gerou, Hamner, Holbert, Hullinghorst,
       Jones, Joshi, Kefalas, Kerr A., Kerr J., Labuda, Lee, Levy, Liston,
       Looper, Massey, McCann, McKinley, Miklosi, Murray, Nikkel,
       Pabon, Pace, Peniston, Priola, Ramirez, Riesberg, Ryden, Schafer S.,
       Scott, Solano, Soper, Stephens, Summers, Swalm, Swerdfeger,
       Szabo, Todd, Tyler, Vaad, Vigil, Waller, Williams A., Wilson,
       McNulty;
       also SENATOR(S) Schwartz, Aguilar, Bacon, Boyd, Brophy,
       Cadman, Carroll, Foster, Giron, Grantham, Guzman, Harvey,
       Heath, Hodge, Hudak, Jahn, Johnston, King K., King S., Kopp,
       Lambert, Lundberg, Mitchell, Morse, Newell, Nicholson, Renfroe,
       Roberts, Scheffel, Shaffer B., Spence, Steadman, Tochtrop, White,
       Williams S..
       
   CONCERNING RECOGNITION OF MARCH 16, 2011, AS
           "NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY". 
       
          WHEREAS, Americans enjoy the safest, most abundant, and most
       affordable food supply in the world, thanks in large part to the efficiency
       and productivity of America's farm and ranch families; and
       
          WHEREAS, There will be millions of additional people to feed in the
       coming decades, many of whom will rely on United States food
       production to meet this need, as the world's population is expected to rise
       to more than 9 billion by 2050; and
       
          
       
       
       
          WHEREAS, The agriculture industry is the second largest industry in
       Colorado, generating well over $20 billion of the state's total economic
       production; and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado recognizes landowners whose livelihood
       depends upon the property they reside on, operate on, and care for as they
       work to provide the basic necessities for all from their lands; and
       
          WHEREAS, American consumers spend less than 10% of their annual
       income on food, less than any other developed nation, as American
       farmers and ranchers receive only 19 cents of every dollar spent on food;
       and
       
          WHEREAS, Today, 98% of all U.S. farms are family-owned and each
       American farmer produces enough food and fiber for nearly 155 people
       in the United States and abroad, representing a more than sixfold increase
       in productivity over the 1960s, when each American farmer was able to
       feed approximately 25 people; and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado's agriculture industry is very labor intensive
       and requires an adequate, reliable work force in order to provide food
       from the field to the table; and
       
          WHEREAS, American farmers and ranchers are the most capable and
       responsible providers for the safety, health, and well-being of their
       livestock; and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado's agriculture industry helps feed the nation;
       drives the state economy; restores wetlands; participates in conservation
       programs that prevent soil erosion, improve air and water quality, and
       enhance wildlife habitat; and plays a major role in providing feedstock for
       the production of renewable fuels; and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado's agriculture industry is extremely diversified
       in terms of value and production, including cattle, sheep, hogs, goats,
       bison, elk, eggs, wine grapes, fruit, vegetables, greenhouse and nursery
       products, honey, and aquaculture, as well as commodities including corn,
       wheat, and hay; and
       
          
          WHEREAS, The majority of the state's wildlife habitat is provided by
       farmers and ranchers on private land all across the state of Colorado, and
       Colorado agriculture provides an estimated $58 million annually to
       support the state's wildlife; and
       
          WHEREAS, The protection of private property and the rights of
       landowners who provide food, fiber, and fuel to Americans and others
       worldwide is essential; and
       
          WHEREAS, Losing agricultural land and water to other uses will
       result in overall negative impacts to the state's economy and a loss of food
       production vital to all Coloradans; and
       
          WHEREAS, The week of March 13 through 19, 2011, is "National
       Agriculture Week"; now, therefore,
       
          Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Sixty-eighth
       General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the Senate concurring herein:
       
          That we, the members of the General Assembly, proudly recognize
       "National Agriculture Day" on March 16, 2011, in celebration of the
       many men and women who provide Americans and others worldwide
       with food, fiber, and fuel.
       
          Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to
       the Honorable Governor, John Hickenlooper; Colorado Commissioner of
       Agriculture, John Salazar; and the members of the Colorado
       Congressional Delegation.
       
       
       _________________________________________________________
       Frank McNulty                    Brandon C. Shaffer 
       SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE                    PRESIDENT OF
       OF REPRESENTATIVES                        THE SENATE
       
       
       ____________________________  ____________________________
       Marilyn Eddins                        Cindi Markwell
       CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE                SECRETARY OF
OF REPRESENTATIVES                THE SENATE