ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION
No. 51
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
216th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 6, 2014
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
Assemblyman BOB ANDRZEJCZAK
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Designates one week each year as "Pollinator Week."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on June 12, 2014, with amendments.
A Joint Resolution designating one week each year as "Pollinator Week."
Whereas, Pollinator species, such as birds, bees, bats, and butterflies, are essential partners of farmers in producing much of 1[our] the1 food supply throughout the 1[country] United States1 and here in the Garden State; and
Whereas, The success of many of New Jersey's most popular and economically important crops, such as blueberries, apples, cranberries, cucumbers, squash, and pumpkins, are dependent upon pollinators; and
Whereas, The maintenance of healthy, biodiverse ecosystems depends upon the significant environmental benefits provided by pollinator species; and
Whereas, Pollination plays a vital role in the health of 1[our] the1 State and national forests and grasslands, which provide forage, fish and wildlife, timber, water, mineral resources, and recreational and economic development opportunities for communities; and
Whereas, New Jersey's State 1[Insect] Bug1, the domesticated honey bee 1[, Apis mellifera] (Apis mellifera)1 , is a key contributor to pollination in the State; and
Whereas, Through the cooperative efforts of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the New Jersey Beekeepers Association, and Rutgers, the State University, 2,000 new beekeepers have been trained since 2006, helping to cultivate one of 1[our] the1 State's important pollinator species; and
Whereas, The benefits that native pollinator species provide to New Jersey, whether agricultural, environmental, recreational, or economic, have been documented through extensive research at Rutgers, the State University, and other institutions of higher learning; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper for the State of New Jersey to demonstrate its support for the cultivation of pollinators so that these remarkable contributors to 1[our] the1 State may continue to flourish and provide 1[us] New Jersey1 with abounding benefits; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. One week each year shall be designated as "Pollinator Week" which shall fall on the dates designated in the annual proclamation of "National Pollinator Week" by the United States Department of Agriculture, or such other appropriate federal agency, except that if the United States Department of Agriculture, or such other appropriate federal agency, fails to make such a proclamation 1by May 31st in any given year,1 then 1, in that year,1 the week beginning on the third Monday in June shall be designated as "Pollinator Week" in this State.
b. The Governor may annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe the week with appropriate activities and programs.
2. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.