Courtney Resolution Recognizing June as National Dairy Month Passes House of Representatives

Press Release

Rep. Joe Courtney's resolution supporting the goals of National Dairy Month passed the House of Representatives today. The resolution recognizes the dairy industry's important role in ensuring the economic and nutritional wellbeing of Americans, and commends dairy farmers for their hard work and commitment to the U.S. economy and to the preservation of open space.

"Local dairy farms are an important part of our communities' heritage and we must provide the appropriate assistance and support they need to continue to function into the future," Courtney said. "This resolution recognizes the difficult and important work of our dairy farmers, and urges all Americans to rededicate themselves to supporting them."

Courtney is the founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Dairy Farmers Caucus. The Caucus educates members and their staff on issues of concern to the dairy industry while also serving as a means to build consensus on legislation impacting the industry.

Connecticut currently has 151 dairy farms that use over 83,000 acres in cropland, of which 30,000 acres is preserved farmland. That is down from 500 farms in 1990 and 210 in 2007. Courtney has been the leading voice on Capitol Hill for American dairy farmers, and has testified before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry about the impact the economic downturn is having on the price of dairy, which is devastating local dairy farms. He helped lead the effort to secure $350 million in emergency assistance for dairy farmers, and successfully lobbied Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to make a bulk purchase of 200 million pounds of dairy to help decrease excess supply on the market and temporarily stabilize prices.

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