Assembly Resolution No. 603

BY: M. of A. Gunther

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
September 17-23, 2017, as Farm and Safety Week in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, New York is one of the nation's leaders in production of
cabbage, corn, grapes, milk and other dairy products, and ducks; and

WHEREAS, New York has over 615,000 milk cows, each producing 20,000
pounds of milk; in total, New York is the third largest producer of
dairy products with goods equaling nearly 12.5 billion pounds; and

WHEREAS, New York's total cash receipts for farm commodities in 2009
totaled more than $4.4 billion; and

WHEREAS, In the process of providing food, fiber, biofuels, and many
other life necessities for millions across our Nation and beyond,
farmers and their families face significant risks in the course of their
everyday life and labor; and

WHEREAS, New York has over 36,000 individuals who work in farming or
agriculture; farm work is often a family business and as we progress
into the future, this trend continues; the average age of principal
operators is increasing and, as of 2009, is 56 years; and

WHEREAS, Farm work often involves close contact with hazardous
materials such as dangerous machinery, chemicals, and livestock; by
working with these products and animals, the individual's health can be
significantly impacted; and

WHEREAS, Some family members are at higher risk levels than others;
youth may not have the maturity or experience to allow them to fully
understand the risks or have the physical capability to perform tasks
safely; older farmers may have reduced physical ability and be at
greater risk than when they were younger; and

WHEREAS, Farm work can, and often does, involve the use of work and
recreational vehicles that have taken the place of horses; ATVs are
found on many of today's farms to access difficult areas and transport
workers and farm items from one area to another; while these vehicles
help the farmer do his/her work, they can cause injuries and fatalities
when used unsafely; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to join with the
National Education Center for Agricultural Safety in encouraging people
across the State of New York to recognize the hard work done by the
individuals in the agricultural field; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 17-23, 2017,
as Farm and Safety Week in the State of New York; 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.