[House Report 117-221] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 117th Congress } { Report HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session } { 117-221 ====================================================================== RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BLUEBERRY INDUSTRY TO THE UNITED STATES AND SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF JULY 2021 AS NATIONAL BLUEBERRY MONTH _______ December 20, 2021.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed _______ Mr. David Scott of Georgia, from the Committee on Agriculture, submitted the following R E P O R T [To accompany H. Res. 271] The Committee on Agriculture, to whom was referred the resolution (H. Res. 271) recognizing the importance of the blueberry industry to the United States and supporting the designation of July 2021 as National Blueberry Month, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with amendments and recommends that the resolution as amended be agreed to. The amendments are as follows: Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the following: That the House of Representatives-- (1) supports the designation of National Blueberry Month; (2) recognizes the contributions of United States growers and their families; and (3) recognizes that purchasing blueberries grown in the United States supports farmers, jobs, and the economy. Amend the preamble to read as follows: Whereas blueberries are a native North American fruit, first used fresh and dried in food and medicines by Native Americans who introduced them to early colonists, which led to new uses and forms, including frozen, establishing traditions still observed today; Whereas wild blueberries continue to be managed and harvested in Maine by farmers, including the Wabanaki, as a native, naturally occurring crop; Whereas the pioneering work conducted in New Jersey by Elizabeth White and Dr. Frederick Coville, a Department of Agriculture botanist, in the early 1900s to domesticate wild lowbush blueberries resulted in the development of the hybrid for cultivated highbush blueberries; Whereas because of these early efforts, highbush blueberries are large, sweet, juicy berries that can be commercially produced and shipped, allowing them to become an important United States agricultural industry; Whereas wild blueberries-- (1) are small and sweet; and (2) are not planted, but still grow and are harvested where they have naturally occurred for thousands of years; Whereas highbush and wild blueberries have a total harvested area estimated at more than 110,000 acres and are produced in 48 States by nearly 16,000 farms; Whereas blueberry production in the United States increased, with particular growth in the past two years, to reach a harvest of 695,600,000 pounds in 2020; Whereas blueberries are low in fat, and a source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals; Whereas blueberries are being studied to examine the role they may play in promoting good health in areas such as cardiovascular health, brain health, exercise, insulin response, and gut health; and Whereas highbush blueberries are harvested in the United States from April through September, with the harvest reaching its peak in July: Now, therefore, be it BRIEF EXPLANATION This resolution, as reported out of Committee, recognizes the importance of American blueberry growers to our economy and supports the designation of July 2021 as National Blueberry Month. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION The United States is the largest producer of blueberries, accounting for over half of global production. A native North American fruit, wild lowbush blueberries were domesticated by American researchers, ultimately leading to the development of the hybrid for cultivated highbush blueberries. The growers of highbush blueberries generate more than $4.7 billion in annual economic impact and are produced in 48 states by more than 14,000 farms across approximately 102,700 acres. This translates to more than $12.7 million flowing into the U.S. economy every day of every year. Blueberries are considered ``superfoods'' because they are full of antioxidants and provide many nutrients while also being low in calories. H. Res. 271 recognizes the importance of the blueberry growers and their families to the United States. H. RES. 271, RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BLUEBERRY INDUSTRY TO THE UNITED STATES AND SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF JULY 2021 AS NATIONAL BLUEBERRY MONTH SECTION-BY-SECTION The resolution provides a series of findings related to blueberries including highbush and wild blueberries. The resolution also provides support from the House of Representatives for the designation of July 2021 as National Blueberry Month and recognizes the contributions of growers and that purchasing blueberries grown in the U.S. supports farmers, jobs, and the economy. COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION I. Full Committee On September 21, 2021, the Committee on Agriculture met pursuant to notice, with a quorum present, to consider H. Res. 271, Recognizing the Importance of the Blueberry Industry to the United States and Supporting the Designation of July 2021 as National Blueberry Month. Chairman Scott made an opening statement as did Ranking Member Thompson. Chairman Scott requested other Members submit their opening statements for the record. Without objection, H. Res. 271 was placed before the Committee for consideration, a first reading of the resolution was waived, and it was opened for amendment at any point. Chairman Scott offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute, and without objection, the reading of the amendment was waived, and the substitute was considered as original text for the purposes of further amendment. Chairman Scott recognized Mr. Bishop, the resolution's sponsor to speak on the resolution. Discussion occurred and without objection, the Committee considered the whole amendment in the nature of a substitute. There being no further amendments, a voice vote was conducted, and the resolution was reported favorably from the Committee. At the conclusion of the meeting, Chairman Scott advised Members that pursuant to the Rules of the House of Representatives, Members had until September 24, 2021, to file any supplemental, additional, dissenting, or minority views with the Committee. Without objection, staff was given permission to make any necessary technical, clarifying, or conforming changes to reflect the intent of the Committee. Chairman Scott thanked all the Members and adjourned the meeting. COMMITTEE VOTES In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 271 was reported by voice vote with a majority quorum present. There was no request for a recorded vote. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause 2(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of this report. COST OF LEGISLATION AND THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect to requirements of clause (3)(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has requested but not received a cost estimate for this measure from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office. The Committee adopts as its own cost estimate the forthcoming cost estimate of the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, should such cost estimate be made available before House passage of the measure. The Committee has requested but not received from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office a statement as to whether this measure contains any new budget authority, spending authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures. Congressional Budget Office staff has informed the Committee on a preliminary, informal, nonbinding basis that there does not appear to be any direct spending associated with the measure. PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives, the performance goals and objectives of this measure are to support the designation of National Blueberry Month and recognize the contributions of growers and that purchasing blueberries grown in the U.S. supports farmers, jobs, and the economy. ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT No advisory committee within the meaning of section 5(b) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act was created by this legislation. APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1). FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT An estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act was not made available to the Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Chair of the Committee shall cause such estimate to be printed in the Congressional Record upon its receipt by the Committee. EARMARK STATEMENT This measure does not contain any congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of rule XXI of the House of Representatives. DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS This measure does not establish or reauthorize a program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of another Federal program, a program that was included in any report from Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a program in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. DISCLOSURE OF DIRECTED RULE MAKINGS The Committee does not believe that the legislation directs an Executive Branch official to conduct any specific rule making proceedings within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 551. [all]