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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is ranked fifth in economic
3size in the United States and is one of the top 25 economies in
4the world; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Illinois agriculture and agribusiness are among
6the most efficient and productive in the world; they contribute
7$121 billion annually to the Illinois economy and support over
8400,000 Illinois jobs; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Every Illinois farmer feeds more than 150 people
10per year; and
 
11    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has fertile soils, favorable
12growing conditions, and a vast network of natural and man-made
13transportation assets that allows its farmers and food
14companies to efficiently and cost effectively compete in grain,
15meat, and processed food markets; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Exports are critical to agriculture, and farmers
17and agribusiness have worked diligently for decades to grow
18overseas markets; agriculture is one of the few U.S. industries
19that consistently has a positive trade balance; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Illinois farmers count on sales to export markets

 

 

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1for more than 20% of their income, as 95% of the world's
2population lives outside the U.S.; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Illinois is the leading producer of soybeans,
4producing 612 million bushels in 2017; it exports nearly 60% of
5our state's soybean production with a value of $3.5 annually;
6and
 
7    WHEREAS, Pork production is an important economic engine
8for the State of Illinois and nearly 26% of the pork produced
9in the United States is exported; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Illinois is a leading producer and exporter of
11corn; one out of every three bushels of U.S. corn is exported;
12and
 
13    WHEREAS, Grain prices remain at or below the cost of
14production and net farm income in the U.S. has fallen by 50%
15since 2013; therefore, be it
 
16    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
17HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
18re-affirm our commitment to the agricultural community in the
19State of Illinois and toward the increase in agricultural
20exports to other parts of the world; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That we remain vigilant in ensuring that the U.S.
2remain a leader by continuing to expand market opportunities
3for U.S. agriculture and other industries; and be it further
 
4    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
5delivered to the Illinois Congressional Delegation, the
6President of the United States, the U.S. Secretary of
7Agriculture, and the U.S. Trade Ambassador.