| R 137 |
| 2017 -- S 0520 Enacted 03/22/2017 |
| S E N A T 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: Senators Morgan, Algiere, Sosnowski, Paolino, and Kettle |
| Date Introduced: March 02, 2017 |
| 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 Senate 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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| LC001441 |
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