MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hyde-Smith, Butler (38th), Chassaniol, Dearing, Fillingane, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Montgomery
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY 20-26, 2011, AS "NATIONAL FOOD CHECK-OUT WEEK" TO CELEBRATE THE ABUNDANCE AND SAFETY OF FOOD AND TO DESIGNATE MARCH 3, 2011, AS "MISSISSIPPI AGRICULTURE DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL."
WHEREAS, despite challenging economic times, it is important that Americans consume healthy foods containing adequate vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients; and
WHEREAS, achieving better nutrition with fewer resources is a shared concern among our citizens that can be addressed through education and wise shopping strategies; and
WHEREAS, U.S. farmers and ranchers are unmatched in their ability to consistently produce an abundance of safe, nutritious food. Producers confront significant uncertainties, including inclement weather, damaging insect pests, and other challenges, on a daily basis; and
WHEREAS, "National Food Check-Out Week" 2011 is February, 20-26, and involves Farm Bureaus at the county, state and national level to celebrate the abundance and safety of food; and
WHEREAS, the key messages for this program are:
· Farm Bureaus are helping consumers find solutions to eating healthy on a stretched budget;
· America's and Mississippi's farmers and ranchers are committed to producing safe, abundant and healthy food;
· Through charitable donations during Food Check-Out Week, we recognize the need everyone has to find solutions to feeding families healthy foods on a tight budget; and
WHEREAS, on the national level, the AFB Women's Leadership Committee staffs supermarket demonstration stations for consumers to help them increase their knowledge of how to stay on a budget while purchasing healthy food for their families. The committee makes cash and food donations to Ronald McDonald Houses; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, Betty DeWitt, former chair of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Women's Committee and Hugh Weathers, South Carolina's Commissioner of Agriculture, were honored for originating the idea of Food Check-Out Day in the 1990s. The success of the long-running program is credited to the collective efforts of many people; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi farmers, ranchers and others involved in the agriculture industry, working together in an environmentally sustainable way, help feed the people of our Nation and those in other countries around the world:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize that February 20-26, 2011, is "National Food Check-Out Week" as proclaimed by the United States Secretary of Agriculture to celebrate the abundance and safety of food in our country, and we designate March 3, 2011, as
"MISSISSIPPI AGRICULTURE DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL"
and call upon all Mississippians to join in recognizing and reflecting upon the strength of our state's agriculture industry and in celebrating the benefits of agriculture with appropriate observances and activities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to the Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce for appropriate dissemination throughout our state and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.