Declare Maple Day Statewide

March 26, 2017, as Maple Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowledges noteworthy events in America's history which deserve special recognition; and WHEREAS, The agricultural industry is part of the foundation upon which our distinct American heritage is built; and WHEREAS, New York State takes just pride in each and every product it produces or grows; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Sunday, March 26, 2017, as Maple Day in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Maple has been recognized as one of the foundations for New York State's agriculture; and WHEREAS, New York State is home to the largest resource of tappable maple trees within the United States, and over 2,000 maple sugarmakers; and WHEREAS, Abundant and sustainable, New York's gourmet maple industry is vibrant and growing on an annual basis; and WHEREAS, New York's unique climate and forestry makes it naturally perfect for maple syrup production; and WHEREAS, As the second state in the country for maple syrup production, New York produces over 700,000 gallons of syrup from over

2.5 million taps; and WHEREAS, It takes 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of maple syrup; in addition, maple makes many products sold throughout the State and nation including maple fluff, maple coffee, maple cream and maple candy; and WHEREAS, New York maple providers are distributed across New York State and has expanded over the last five years; maple operations reach over 500,000 visitors throughout New York; and WHEREAS, The prime maple season runs from February to March every year; and WHEREAS, Maple producers in the four-county region of Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida and Oswego, will host the 2017 Maple Weekend to be held March 18-19, 2017, and March 25-26, 2017; and WHEREAS, During these two weekends, maple producers from across New York State will welcome families to their farms to experience firsthand how real, mouth-watering maple syrup and other related products are made; and WHEREAS, Visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy fun, family-friendly activities, taste New York's freshest syrup and purchase maple products; and WHEREAS, Through their diligence and expertise in maple, the producers have brought pride and recognition to themselves, their local community, and to our great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 26, 2017, as Maple Day 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.