Rep. Franz offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 264. 

            A resolution to memorialize the President of the United States and the United States Secretary of Agriculture to monitor closely the conditions of Northwest and North Central Michigan's fruit crop to determine if disaster assistance is needed.

            Whereas, Michigan produces a variety of fruits for export around the nation, Michigan's fruit crop generates over $350 million in revenue annually and includes: apples, blueberries, tart cherries, sweet cherries, grapes, and other fruits. Eighty percent of the United States tart cherry crop is grown in Northwest and North Central Michigan. In addition, Michigan is the nation's third largest apple-producing state with over 37,000 acres of land in apple production; and

            Whereas, unusually warm temperatures in the early spring have wreaked havoc on Northwest and North Central Michigan's fruit crops. The early warmth caused plants to sprout prematurely putting them at risk of damage when devastating frost occurred in April. As of May 1, farmers are estimating that the frost has killed as much as 95 percent of the buds on tart cherries and possibly 80 percent of the buds on apple trees; and

            Whereas, The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers several programs to help farmers recover financially from a natural disaster. In order for low-interest loans and other federal assistance to be available to the fruit growers, fruit growing areas in Northwest and North Central Michigan must be declared disasters areas; now therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Michigan House of Representatives, that we memorialize the President of the United States and the United States Secretary of Agriculture to monitor closely the conditions of Northwest and North Central Michigan's fruit crop to determine if disaster assistance is needed; and be it further

            Resolved, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.