2015
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 15-015
       
       
       BY SENATOR(S) Sonnenberg, Aguilar, Balmer, Baumgardner, Carroll,
       Cooke, Crowder, Donovan, Garcia, Grantham, Guzman, Heath, Hill,
       Hodge, Holbert, Jahn, Johnston, Jones, Kefalas, Kerr, Lambert,
       Lundberg, Marble, Martinez Humenik, Merrifield, Neville T., Newell,
       Roberts, Scheffel, Scott, Steadman, Todd, Ulibarri, Woods, Cadman;
       also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Brown and Coram, Arndt, Becker J.,
       Becker K., Buck, Buckner, Carver, Conti, Court, Danielson, DelGrosso,
       Dore, Duran, Esgar, Everett, Fields, Foote, Garnett, Ginal, Hamner,
       Humphrey, Joshi, Kagan, Keyser, Klingenschmitt, Kraft-Tharp,
       Landgraf, Lawrence, Lebsock, Lee, Lontine, Lundeen, McCann, Melton,
       Mitsch Bush, Moreno, Navarro, Neville P., Nordberg, Pabon, Pettersen,
       Primavera, Priola, Rankin, Ransom, Rosenthal, Roupe, Ryden, Saine,
       Salazar, Sias, Singer, Tate, Thurlow, Tyler, Van Winkle, Vigil, Willett,
       Williams, Wilson, Windholz, Winter, Young, Hullinghorst.
       
       
          CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF MARCH 18, 2015, AS
       AGRICULTURE DAY IN COLORADO. 
       
       
          WHEREAS, Americans enjoy the safest, most abundant, and most
       affordable food supply in the world, thanks largely to the efficiency and
       productivity of America's farm and ranch families; and
       
          WHEREAS, As the world's population is predicted to grow from 7
       billion to 9 billion by 2045, farmers and ranchers face the challenge of
       producing more food, feed, fiber, and fuel; and
       
          WHEREAS, Today, 97% of all U.S. farms are family-owned, and
       each American farmer feeds more than 156 people, a dramatic increase
       from the 1960s, when each farmer could feed only 25 people; and
       
          WHEREAS, Americans spend less than 9% of their annual income on
       food, less than any other developed nation, while American farmers and
       ranchers receive on average only 15.8 cents of every dollar spent on food;
       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, The agriculture industry is the second largest industry in
       Colorado, supporting more than 173,000 jobs in Colorado and
       contributing $41 billion to the state's economy; and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado was responsible for exporting more than $2
       billion in food and agricultural products in 2012; and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado agriculture contributes to national security not
       only by providing food and fiber, but also by producing energy; and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado recognizes landowners whose livelihood
       depends upon the property they reside on, operate on, and care for as they
       work to provide basic necessities to all; and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado's agriculture industry requires an adequate,
       reliable workforce in order to provide food from the field to the table; and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado's farms and ranches provide wildlife habitats,
       open space, and a site for innovative and sustainable farming practices
       that ensure the protection of state resources; and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado's agricultural producers provide a diverse and
       valuable array of livestock and crops, including cattle, sheep, hogs,
       horses, goats, bison, elk, poultry and eggs, and aquaculture; as well as
       field corn, sweet corn, wheat, hay, potatoes, barley, sorghum, sunflowers,
       dry beans, soybeans, onions, carrots, wine grapes, fruit, numerous other
       vegetables, honey, and greenhouse and nursery products; and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado's agriculturists employ sound animal husbandry
       practices, ensuring that livestock remain healthy, productive, and content;
       and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado agriculture provides an estimated $67.5 million
       annually to support the state's wildlife; and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado's farmers and ranchers are innovative
       entrepreneurs and business leaders who remain resilient in their
       dedication to the continued prosperity of the state's agriculture; and
       
          WHEREAS, The protection of private property and the rights of
       landowners who provide wholesome, safe food to Americans and others
       worldwide is essential; and
       
          WHEREAS, Farmers and ranchers are critical to Colorado
       agritourism, welcoming tourists from around the world and showing them
       all Colorado has to offer; 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, March 18, 2015, is "National Agriculture Day"; now,
       therefore,
       
          Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Seventieth General Assembly of the
       State of Colorado, the House of Representatives concurring herein:
       
          That we, the members of the General Assembly, proudly recognize
       "Agriculture Day" on March 18, 2015, in celebration of the many men
       and women who strengthen the nation's agriculture industry; promote a
       safe, high-quality, and sustainable food supply; and protect consumers,
       the environment, and natural resources.
       
                    Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to
       the Honorable Governor John Hickenlooper, Colorado Commissioner of
       Agriculture Don Brown, and the members of the Colorado congressional
       delegation.
       
       
       
       
       
       ____________________________  ____________________________
       Bill L. Cadman               Dickey Lee Hullinghorst
       PRESIDENT OF                    SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
       THE SENATE                        OF REPRESENTATIVES
       
       
       
       
       
       
       ____________________________  ____________________________
       Cindi L. Markwell                     Marilyn Eddins
       SECRETARY OF                CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
       THE SENATE                        OF REPRESENTATIVES