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“INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL POLLINATOR WEEK” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1158 on June 22, 2010.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL
POLLINATOR WEEK
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HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS
of florida
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution honoring National Pollinator Week, which takes place from June 21 to 27, 2010. It is my pleasure to announce that with the leadership of the Pollinator Partnership, a majority of States as well as a number of federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, have officially recognized the occasion to reflect upon the importance of and challenges facing these species vital to our ecosystem and agriculture.
Responsible for almost $20 billion worth of products in the United States alone, an estimated one-third of all food and beverages is derived from pollinators. With 75 percent of all flowering plant species relying on animals like birds, bees, bats, and butterflies as the vehicle for transferring pollen for fertilization, there is no escaping the fact that pollinators are essential not just for plants, but for the sustainability and security of our food supply.
Because new threats are emerging against these animals all the time, we should use National Pollinator Week to learn about how to help protect and encourage pollinators' growth and survival. There are many things we can do. For example, we can plant a garden with native flowering plants supplying pollinators with nectar, pollen and homes as well as work to minimize pollution and use of chemicals that contaminate their habitats. We can also educate our friends on the importance of pollinators and can learn even more from the Pollinator Partnership's Web site, which can be found at www.pollinator.org.
Madam Speaker, National Pollinator Week provides us an opportunity to recognize how important pollinators are to the sustainability of our environment. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the goals and ideals of National Pollinator Week.
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