[Congressional Bills 110th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.J. Res. 15 Engrossed in House (EH)] 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. J. RES. 15 _______________________________________________________________________ JOINT RESOLUTION Recognizing the contributions of the Christmas tree industry to the United States economy. Whereas Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since the 1850s; Whereas, by 1900, one in five American families decorated a tree during the Christmas season, while, by 1930, a decorated Christmas tree had become a nearly universal part of the American Christmas celebration; Whereas 32.8 million households in the United States purchased a live-cut Christmas tree in 2005; Whereas the placement and decoration of live-cut Christmas trees in town squares across the country have become an American tradition; Whereas, for generations, American families have traveled hundreds and even thousands of miles to celebrate the Christmas season together around a live-cut Christmas tree; Whereas 36 million live-cut Christmas trees are produced each year, and 98 percent of these trees are shipped or sold directly from Christmas tree farms; Whereas Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota, Virginia, California, and Ohio are the top producers of live-cut Christmas trees, but Christmas trees are grown in all 50 States; Whereas there are more than 21,000 growers of Christmas trees in the United States, and approximately 100,000 people are employed in the live-cut Christmas tree industry; Whereas many Christmas tree growers grow trees on a part-time basis to supplement their other farm and non-farm income; Whereas growing Christmas trees provides wildlife habitat; Whereas, in 2005, Christmas trees were planted on more than a half million acres of land; Whereas 73 million new Christmas trees will be planted in 2006, and, on average, over 1,500 Christmas trees can be planted per acre; and Whereas the retail value of all Christmas trees harvested in 2005 was $1.4 billion: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress recognizes the important contributions of the live-cut Christmas tree industry, Christmas tree growers, and persons employed in the live-cut Christmas tree industry to the United States economy. Passed the House of Representatives December 17, 2007. Attest: Clerk. 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. J. RES. 15 _______________________________________________________________________ JOINT RESOLUTION Recognizing the contributions of the Christmas tree industry to the United States economy.