PRINTER'S NO. 1403
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
132
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY MATZIE, CIRESI, BOROWSKI, MARSHALL, MADDEN,
SAPPEY, GREINER, HARKINS, R. MACKENZIE, SCHLOSSBERG,
ISAACSON, SANCHEZ, KHAN, GUENST, JAMES, HILL-EVANS, HOWARD,
HOHENSTEIN, NEILSON, O'MARA AND ZIMMERMAN, MAY 31, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
MAY 31, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of June 19 through 25, 2023, as "Pollinator
Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Pollinator species such as birds and insects,
including bees, are essential partners of farmers and ranchers
in producing much of our food supply; and
WHEREAS, Pollination plays a vital role in the health of our
national forests and grasslands, which provide forage, fish and
wildlife, timber, water, mineral resources and recreational
opportunities as well as enhanced economic development
opportunities for communities; and
WHEREAS, Pollinator species, including bees, provide
significant environmental benefits that are necessary for
maintaining healthy, biodiverse ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth has managed wildlife habitats and
public lands, including forests and grasslands, for decades; and
WHEREAS, The Bee Law, which appears in Chapter 21 of Title 3
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of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, and other laws and
regulations provide producers with conservation assistance to
promote wise conservation stewardship, including the protection
and maintenance of pollinators and their habitats on working
lands and wildlands, and, through the Department of Agriculture,
register and regulate each apiary; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association works
with the Department of Agriculture to promote pollination,
beekeeping and the production of honey; and
WHEREAS, Among its activities, the association:
(1) produces a newsletter 10 times per year;
(2) meets twice yearly to conduct business;
(3) operates a booth at the Pennsylvania Farm Show and
Ag Progress Days to promote honey and beekeeping;
(4) maintains an education program to inspire new
beekeepers and continues to investigate avenues to provide
information to more accomplished beekeepers;
(5) supports Delaware Valley University and The
Pennsylvania State University in projects, staff and grant
requests that further research and continually promote
beekeeping; and
(6) operates the Honey Queen Program to promote honey
and provide beekeepers across this Commonwealth with a
resource person to assist in promoting honey in local areas;
and
WHEREAS, The Pollinator Partnership is a nonprofit
organization that protects the health of managed and native
pollinating animals vital to North American ecosystems and
agriculture; and
WHEREAS, The Pollinator Partnership collaborates with
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stakeholders who manage or influence landscapes to do a better
job of sharing the landscape with pollinators; and
WHEREAS, The Pollinator Partnership's mission is to protect
pollinators critical to food and ecosystems through
conservation, education and research which includes "National
Pollinator Week," the North American Pollinator Protection
Campaign and ecoregional planting guides; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
week of June 19 through 25, 2023, as "Pollinator Week" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives congratulate the
Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association, Penn State
Cooperative Extension, Delaware Valley University and the
Department of Agriculture for their cooperative efforts to
promote pollination, beekeeping and the production of honey; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support the
efforts of the Pollinator Partnership to annually observe
"National Pollinator Week"; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the Governor
to issue a proclamation urging all residents to recognize this
observance; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the Governor, the Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania
State Beekeepers Association and the Pollinator Partnership.
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