Reps. Kathleen Law, Plakas, Mayes, Hopgood, Hood, Tobocman, Condino, Bieda, Anderson, Byrum, Meisner, Cushingberry, Zelenko, Kolb, Leland, Espinoza, Donigan, Clemente, Byrnes, Wojno, Angerer, Lipsey, Alma Smith, Gleason, Accavitti, Ball, Brown, Casperson, Clack, Emmons, Farhat, Farrah, Gonzales, Hansen, Hildenbrand, Lemmons, Jr., Meyer, Mortimer, Murphy, Palsrok, Polidori, Sak and Vagnozzi offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 153.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to fund fully the Select Michigan agricultural program.

            Whereas, In 2001, the Michigan Department of Agriculture introduced the Select Michigan campaign to encourage Michigan residents to purchase locally grown and produced foods. Launched in Grand Rapids and recently expanded to the Detroit area, the program uses posters, banners, and stickers in Michigan grocery stores and farmers' markets to identify locally grown food products. Michigan farms are second in the nation in the diversity of agricultural products grown, including apples, asparagus, blueberries, cherries, chestnuts, corn, dry beans, honey, maple syrup, peaches, and strawberries; and

            Whereas, Purchasing locally grown agricultural products provides consumers with fresher and more nutritious fruits and vegetables that are vital to the health and well-being of Michigan residents. Maintaining Michigan's agricultural competitiveness contributes significantly to our economic well-being. An estimated $37 million would enter the Michigan economy each week if each Michigan resident spent just $10 weekly on Michigan-grown products; and

            Whereas, A one-time block grant of $3.75 million from the United States Department of Agriculture in 2001 launched the Select Michigan program. This ambitious program continues due to a unique funding partnership involving the private sector and federal government. In 2004, Congress passed the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act to authorize $54.5 million annually for five years to enhance the competitiveness of domestically grown specialty crops. Although the United States House of Representatives has authorized $7 million to fund the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act, the United States Senate has not provided any funding. Full funding of this program would allow Michigan to expand its Select Michigan program to encompass the state and ensure all Michigan residents have access to fresh and nutritious locally grown food products; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to fund fully the Select Michigan agricultural program; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.