Assembly Resolution No. 1282

BY: M. of A. Rules (Magee)

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
June 2018, as Dairy Month in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2018, as Dairy Month in the
State of New York; in addition, Dairy Day will be recognized on
Wednesday, June 6, 2018; and

WHEREAS, National Dairy Month began as National Milk Month in 1937,
as a way to promote drinking milk and to help stabilize dairy demand
when production was at a surplus; and

WHEREAS, National Dairy Month has developed into an annual tradition
celebrating the worldwide contributions of the dairy industry; and

WHEREAS, National Dairy Month celebrates the safe, healthy, high
quality, and most importantly, delicious dairy products we have in
abundance in the United States, thanks to the hard work and commitment
of our dairy farmers; and

WHEREAS, In New York State, agriculture continues to rank as the
number one industry, and with dairy farms extending across the State,
New York ranks third among states in total milk production; and

WHEREAS, New York has over 5,600 dairy farms with more than 600,000
dairy cows which produce over 12 billion pounds of milk annually; New
York leads the nation in the production of cottage cheese, yogurt and
sour cream; and

WHEREAS, Nearly half of the value added to New York's economy by
agricultural products comes from the direct sale of dairy products by
New York farmers; and

WHEREAS, The dairy industry is an integral segment of New York
State's economy and a major employer of labor from all phases of
production, through marketing of milk and dairy products; and

WHEREAS, New York's dairy farmers have historically been the
stewards of the land, contributing to the State's diverse agricultural
landscapes through responsible conservation practices and investments in
technology; and

WHEREAS, New York's milk and dairy products have been known to
promote a healthy weight, reduce the risk for high blood pressure,
osteoporosis and certain cancers, as well as help build and repair
muscle tissue, maintain healthy skin and provide natural nutrients; and

WHEREAS, Ninety-eight percent of our nation's dairy farms are family
owned and operated, and every day, dairy farmers invest their time,
energy and passion into producing wholesome and nutritious milk and
other dairy products; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2018, as Dairy
Month in the State of New York, and to acknowledge the contributions of
the dairy industry and New York's dairy farmers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.