HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.265
Reps. Coffia, Roth, Neyer, Borton, Paiz, Miller, Byrnes, Brabec,
Slagh and VanderWall offered the following resolution:
1 A resolution to declare May 22, 2024, as Cherry Industry Day
2 in the state of Michigan.
3 Whereas, Michigan is the number one cherry producing state in
4 the nation and is the unofficial Cherry Capitol of the World; and
5 Whereas, Michigan hosts the world's largest cherry
6 celebration, the National Cherry Festival. It takes place each July
7 in Traverse City, Michigan, welcoming more than 500,000 people to
8 celebrate and promote cherries, community involvement, and the
9 Grand Traverse region; and
10 Whereas, The first “Blessing of the Blossoms Festival” was
11 held on this date in 1926 before evolving into the National Cherry
Cherry Industry D 24H
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1 Festival as we know it today; and
2 Whereas, The United States produces over 610 million pounds of
3 sweet and tart cherries each year, with Michigan producing the
4 largest tart cherry crop. Approximately 250 million pounds of tart
5 cherries are harvested each year, with 75% of those coming from the
6 state of Michigan; and
7 Whereas, Cherries contain powerful antioxidants that may help
8 fight cancer and heart disease and relieve the pain associated with
9 arthritis. Tart cherries are especially high in the antioxidant
10 melatonin, which may help prevent or reduce brain deterioration
11 associated with aging, and are also high in vitamin A and beta-
12 carotene; and
13 Whereas, The Cherry Marketing Institute (CMI) was formed in
14 1988 and is funded by U.S. tart cherry growers. The goal of the CMI
15 is to increase the use of cherries through promotion, market
16 expansion, product development and research; and
17 Whereas, The growers, processors, and merchants continue to
18 support the Grand Traverse Region with community support and a push
19 to promote the impact and benefits of the cherry harvest; and
20 Whereas, One of the most beautiful sites in Michigan, or
21 anywhere in the world, during the month of May is the blossoming of
22 the cherry trees; now, therefore, be it
23 Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of
24 this legislative body declare May 22, 2024, as Cherry Industry Day
25 in the state of Michigan.