HC0098_S_Cmte_Amend

WHEREAS, having an affordable, reliable and plentiful energy supply is crucial to our economy, as well as our national and international food supply; and

WHEREAS, current and future risks to United States energy security are mounting, while domestic and global energy demands are escalating; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi has tremendous renewable energy resources; and

WHEREAS, the development of renewable energy resources, including wind power, biodiesel, biomass, methane digesters, ethanol and solar, benefits the environment and will have a direct economic benefit to agricultural landowners and rural communities; and

WHEREAS, agricultural communities and their partners will experience multiple benefits, including establishing additional markets for agricultural commodities, increasing farm income, creating added-value uses for crops, livestock and their byproducts, and creating new job opportunities; and

WHEREAS, American agriculture is well positioned to play an expanded role in the development and implementation of new energy solutions; and

WHEREAS, America's farms and ranches can become the factories that produce a new generation of fuels to help meet the nation's energy needs; and

WHEREAS, "25 by 25" is an agriculturally led goal that envisions America's farms and ranches producing 25% of America's energy demand by the year 2025, while continuing to produce abundant, safe and affordable food and fiber; and

WHEREAS, agriculture's role as an energy producer will have a positive effect on national security and trade imbalances, and will serve as a catalyst for rural development in the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we, the members of the Legislature of the State of Mississippi, support and endorse the goal of "25 x 25" whereby agriculture will provide 25% of the total energy consumed in the United States by the year 2025, while continuing to produce abundant, safe and affordable food and fiber.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Legislature memorializes the President and Congress of the United States to support the "25 x 25" goal promoting the use of agricultural-based renewable energy.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State of Mississippi is directed to send copies of this resolution to President George W. Bush, the Secretary of the United States Senate, the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, the Secretary of the United States Department of Energy, the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, and each member of the Mississippi congressional delegation.