MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Sullivan, Arnold, DeBar, Evans (43rd), Evans (91st), Horne, Howell, Huddleston (15th), Ladner, Lane, Malone, Massengill, Mettetal, Miles, Morgan, Patterson, Perkins, Read, Rushing, Shirley, Shows, Steverson, Taylor, Staples
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE SERVICE OF THE MISSISSIPPI POULTRY ASSOCIATION PROVIDED TO THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND CONGRATULATING THE ASSOCIATION ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY.
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Poultry Association, formed as the Mississippi Poultry Improvement Association in 1937 to help battle poultry diseases and promote the development of the industry, will celebrate the occasion of its 75th anniversary in 2012; and
WHEREAS, as Mississippi's largest agricultural commodity, the poultry industry today has more than a $6 billion impact on the state's economy, employing some 28,000 individuals directly, which in turn indirectly spurs the creation of an additional 27,000 subsidiary jobs; and
WHEREAS, with 20 processing facilities and approximately 2,000 growers, the poultry market in Mississippi is well represented with industry locations throughout the state which include growers, feed mills, hatcheries, processing plants, laboratories and company headquarters; and
WHEREAS, as a testament to this vital market's success and impact on the global economy, Mississippi ranks fifth in the nation in poultry production and Mississippi's 3rd Congressional District leads the nation in poultry and egg production among all districts; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi's poultry companies process roughly 757 million birds per year, more than 250 times the human population of the state, and 400 million table eggs, accounting for more than $2.4 billion being paid to farmers in 2011, and wages and salaries totaling more than $2.1 billion; and
WHEREAS, over the course of its creation and expansion, the industry has grown from small, family-owned businesses and farms into an integrated global industry with approximately 12 percent of broiler production exported worldwide; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Poultry Association was a stalwart advocate and resource which assisted the state in the initiation and passage of the Emerging Crops Fund and loan program, which has made it easier for many more farmers to enter the poultry industry, and has developed a reliably significant and cooperative business rapport with Mississippi State University, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, the Board of Animal Health and the United States Department of Agriculture; and
WHEREAS, because of the Mississippi Poultry Association's call to humanitarian advocacy and philanthropic aid, Mississippi poultry companies donate thousands of pounds of their products annually to fight hunger and to aid and develop their communities; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to acknowledge the importance of the roles played by organizations of the Mississippi Poultry Association's caliber, which stimulate economic growth through their ability to consistently provide a valuable agricultural commodity to the global community and posturing Mississippi poultry industry as a necessary player on the world stage of supply and demand:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the service of the Mississippi Poultry Association to the agricultural industry of the State of Mississippi, congratulate the association on the occasion of its 75th anniversary, and extend most sincere wishes for continued success and productivity in the future years to come.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Mississippi Poultry Association and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.