June 18, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 102 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H4767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CELEBRATING NATIONAL POLLINATORS WEEK

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
National Pollinators Week.
  It is a time when we encourage protection of pollinator species--such 
as honeybees, native bees, birds, bats, and butterflies--as essential 
partners of farmers and ranchers in producing food.
  These pollinators are vital to keeping items like fruits, nuts, and 
vegetables in our diet, and healthy pollinator populations are crucial 
to the continued economic well-being of rural America and the U.S. 
economy.
  Worldwide, approximately 1,000 plants grown for food, beverage, 
fiber, spices, and medicines need to be pollinated by animals to 
produce the goods we depend upon.
  The number of honeybee hives has declined from 6 million in the 1940s 
to about 2.5 million today, and we need to increase these habitats.
  American farmers have no better friend than the honeybee, and more 
than one third of the U.S. crops require pollination, including 
blueberries, chocolate, coffee, melons, peaches, pumpkins, vanilla, and 
almonds.
  Mr. Speaker, as one who has had a beehive in my backyard, I fully 
support efforts to raise awareness and keep our pollinators buzzing for 
generations to come.

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