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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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culinary uses seemingly expanding every day; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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makes a full recovery; and

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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State of Rhode Island; and be it further

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

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

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Maple Syrup Producers Association.

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