Rep. Byrnes offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 192.

A resolution declaring October 2007 as Apple Cider Month in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Apple cider has a very long history in Michigan and going to cider mills is an inclusive event in which all family members can enjoy; and

Whereas, The state of Michigan has 1,000 family-run apple farms, of which many are second, third or even fourth generation farms; and

Whereas, Michigan is the nation's third-largest apple producing state; and

Whereas, Apples are grown commercially in 37 of the 68 counties in Michigan's Lower Peninsula; and

Whereas, The Michigan apple industry generates $450 million of economic activity annually; and

Whereas, One in four jobs in Michigan are related to agriculture; and

Whereas, The Michigan Agriculture Commission supports the enhanced recognition of critical Michigan products, including apple cider; and

Whereas, The Michigan apple industry is seeing increasing industry competition from imported Chinese apples and cider; and

Whereas, The Michigan Cider Makers Guild’s efforts to educate cider makers in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Michigan State University Agriculture Extension Service has been acknowledged by the Federal Department of Agriculture as a model for the industry; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative

body declare October 2007 as Apple Cider Month in the state of Michigan.