[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 271 Reported in House (RH)]

<DOC>





                                                  House Calendar No. 60
117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 271

                          [Report No. 117-221]

  Recognizing the importance of the blueberry industry to the United 
    States and supporting the designation of July 2021 as National 
                            Blueberry Month.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 26, 2021

    Mr. Bishop of Georgia (for himself and Mr. Upton) submitted the 
     following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                              Agriculture

                           December 20, 2021

  Additional sponsors: Mrs. Walorski, Ms. Pingree, Mrs. Cammack, Mr. 
                       Panetta, and Mr. Newhouse

                           December 20, 2021

 Reported with amendments, referred to the House Calendar, and ordered 
                             to be printed
[Strike out all after the resolving clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the importance of the blueberry industry to the United 
    States and supporting the designation of July 2021 as National 
                            Blueberry Month.

Whereas blueberries are a native North American fruit, first used fresh and 
        dried in food and medicines by Native Americans who introduced them to 
        early colonists, which led to new uses and forms, including frozen, 
        establishing traditions still observed today;
Whereas the pioneering work conducted in New Jersey by Elizabeth White and Dr. 
        Frederick Coville, a Department of Agriculture botanist, in the early 
        1900s, to domesticate wild lowbush blueberries resulted in the 
        development of the hybrid for cultivated highbush blueberries;
Whereas because of these early efforts, highbush blueberries are large, sweet, 
        juicy berries that can be commercially produced and shipped, allowing 
        them to become an important United States agricultural industry;
Whereas highbush blueberries have a harvested area estimated at 102,700 acres 
        and are produced in 48 States by more than 14,000 farms;
Whereas highbush blueberry production in the United States increased, with 
        particular growth in the past two years, to reach a harvest of 
        680,700,000 pounds in 2019;
Whereas blueberries are low in fat, and a source of fiber, vitamins, and 
        minerals;
Whereas blueberries are being studied to examine the role they may play in 
        promoting good health in areas such as cardiovascular health, brain 
        health, exercise, insulin response, and gut health; and
Whereas highbush blueberries are harvested in the United States from April 
        through September, with the harvest reaching its peak in July: Now, 
        therefore, be it
Whereas blueberries are a native North American fruit, first used fresh and 
        dried in food and medicines by Native Americans who introduced them to 
        early colonists, which led to new uses and forms, including frozen, 
        establishing traditions still observed today;
Whereas wild blueberries continue to be managed and harvested in Maine by 
        farmers, including the Wabanaki, as a native, naturally occurring crop;
Whereas the pioneering work conducted in New Jersey by Elizabeth White and Dr. 
        Frederick Coville, a Department of Agriculture botanist, in the early 
        1900s to domesticate wild lowbush blueberries resulted in the 
        development of the hybrid for cultivated highbush blueberries;
Whereas because of these early efforts, highbush blueberries are large, sweet, 
        juicy berries that can be commercially produced and shipped, allowing 
        them to become an important United States agricultural industry;
Whereas wild blueberries--

    (1) are small and sweet; and

    (2) are not planted, but still grow and are harvested where they have 
naturally occurred for thousands of years;

Whereas highbush and wild blueberries have a total harvested area estimated at 
        more than 110,000 acres and are produced in 48 States by nearly 16,000 
        farms;
Whereas blueberry production in the United States increased, with particular 
        growth in the past two years, to reach a harvest of 695,600,000 pounds 
        in 2020;
Whereas blueberries are low in fat, and a source of fiber, vitamins, and 
        minerals;
Whereas blueberries are being studied to examine the role they may play in 
        promoting good health in areas such as cardiovascular health, brain 
        health, exercise, insulin response, and gut health; and
Whereas highbush blueberries are harvested in the United States from April 
        through September, with the harvest reaching its peak in July: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
        <DELETED>    (1) supports the designation of National Blueberry 
        Month;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) recognizes the contributions of American 
        growers and their families; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) recognizes that purchasing American grown 
        blueberries supports farmers, jobs, and the economy.</DELETED>
That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of National Blueberry Month;
            (2) recognizes the contributions of United States growers 
        and their families; and
            (3) recognizes that purchasing blueberries grown in the 
        United States supports farmers, jobs, and the economy.
                                                  House Calendar No. 60

117th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                              H. RES. 271

                          [Report No. 117-221]

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

  Recognizing the importance of the blueberry industry to the United 
    States and supporting the designation of July 2021 as National 
                            Blueberry Month.

_______________________________________________________________________

                           December 20, 2021

 Reported with amendments, referred to the House Calendar, and ordered 
                             to be printed