2017 -- H 5982

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LC002257

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MARCH TO BE "MAPLE SYRUP MONTH" IN THE

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Price, Newberry, Chippendale, Mendonca, and Roberts

     Date Introduced: March 22, 2017

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Maple syrup is a natural product that was discovered by Native Americans

when they figured out that the sap from maple trees could be turned into delicious syrup. Over

time, the process used to collect maple syrup has evolved, along with how it has been used by

people. For a period of time up to shortly after the end of the Civil War, maple syrup was

primarily used as a food sweetener, until it was replaced by cane sugar. Today, maple syrup is

used in a variety of popular foods, most notably pancakes, waffles, and baked beans, with its

culinary uses seemingly expanding every day; and

     WHEREAS, Only maple trees found in North America are capable of producing maple

syrup. Maple sugaring is often considered to be the first sign of the forthcoming agricultural

season in parts of the United States, particularly in New England. The processing of maple syrup

begins by drilling, or tapping, a hole into the sapwood of the tree and then inserting a metal spout

to allow the flow of the sap to be collected into a bucket. Once the sap is collected, it is taken to a

sugar house where it is processed. When tapping season ends, the spouts are removed and the tree

makes a full recovery; and

     WHEREAS, Maple syrup production is one of the most lucrative ways to make a living

in the forestry industry. Maple sugaring provides many labor intensive jobs and provides a natural

and much-in-demand product to be sold at markets, grocery stores, in specialty shops, on the

Internet, or directly by the farmers themselves. In addition, farmers can choose to rent a portion

of their land and allow, for a fee, others to collect, market, and sell the maple sugar themselves.

Maple sugar is a delicious and nutritious product enjoyed by millions of customers that is also an

indelible part of America's cultural history; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims the Month of March to be "Maple Syrup Month" in the

State of Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Thomas E. Buck, Principal, Rhode Island

Maple Syrup Producers Association.

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LC002257

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