[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 578 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                        April 29, 2008.
Whereas watermelon production constitutes an important sector of the 
        agricultural industry of the United States;
Whereas, according to the January 2006 statistics compiled by the National 
        Agricultural Statistics Service of the United States Department of 
        Agriculture, the United States produces 4,200,000,000 pounds of 
        watermelon annually;
Whereas watermelon is grown in 49 States, is purchased and consumed in all 50 
        States, and is exported to Canada;
Whereas evidence indicates that eating 2.5 to 5 cups of fruits and vegetables 
        daily as part of a healthy diet will improve health and protect against 
        diseases such as cancer, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease;
Whereas proper diet and nutrition are important factors in preventing diseases 
        such as childhood obesity and diabetes;
Whereas watermelon has no fat or cholesterol and is an excellent source of the 
        vitamins A, B6, and C, fiber, and potassium, which are vital to good 
        health and disease prevention;
Whereas watermelon is also an excellent source of lycopene;
Whereas lycopene, an antioxidant found only in a few red plant foods, has been 
        shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers;
Whereas watermelon is a heart-healthy food that has qualified for the heart-
        check mark from the American Heart Association;
Whereas watermelon has been a nutritious summer favorite from generation to 
        generation;
Whereas it is important to educate citizens of the United States regarding the 
        health benefits of watermelon and other fruits and vegetables; and
Whereas July would be an appropriate month to establish as National Watermelon 
        Month: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that there 
should be established a National Watermelon Month to recognize the health 
benefits of watermelon and the importance of watermelon to the agriculture 
industry of the United States.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.