Reps. Mortimer, Ball, Brandenburg, Byrnes, Casperson, Caul, Clack, Cushingberry, Espinoza, Gaffney, Gleason, Gosselin, Hansen, Hildenbrand, Huizenga, Jones, Kooiman, Leland, Lemmons, III, Lemmons, Jr., Marleau, Mayes, Meyer, Nitz, Nofs, Palsrok, Pavlov, Schuitmaker, Alma Smith, Stahl, Stakoe, Taub, Vander Veen and Waters offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 131.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to provide full funding for the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act.

            Whereas, More than 250 specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts, are produced throughout the United States annually. Ten of Michigan's top 20 cash commodities in 2003 were specialty crops, including potatoes, apples, blueberries, and cherries. Michigan currently ranks in the top three in the nation in the production of 24 specialty crops; and

            Whereas, A secure domestic food supply is important to national security. A competitive specialty crop industry provides an abundant and affordable supply of highly nutritious fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops that are vital to the health and well-being of Americans. Maintaining Michigan's and the nation's agricultural competitiveness ensures economic well-being; and

            Whereas, 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. This act does not subsidize specialty crops, but instead creates a block grant program devoted to production-related research, commodity promotion, and food safety. The United States House of Representatives has recently authorized $7 million to fund the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act for the next fiscal year. However, the United States Senate has not provided any funding. The Senate is expected to address the Agriculture Appropriations Bill in the near future; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to provide full funding for the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act; 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.