Recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Idaho Potato Commission and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that an Idaho Potato Month should be established.

Whereas the State of Idaho produces approximately one-third of all of the potatoes grown in the United States, harvesting an average of 12,000,000,000 to 14,000,000,000 pounds annually;

Whereas the State of Idaho’s unique climate of warm days, cool nights, mountain-fed irrigation, and rich volcanic soil is conducive to growing world-renowned potatoes;

Whereas Idaho potatoes are top-selling and highly recognized potatoes in the United States due to their consistently great taste, versatility, and nutritional content;

Whereas the Idaho potato brand is recognized throughout the world for its high quality, and is an identifying characteristic of the great State of Idaho;

Whereas May of 2007 marks the 70th consecutive year that Idaho potatoes have been promoted by the Idaho Potato Commission, an Idaho potato industry group responsible for generating attention for the numerous attributes of Idaho potatoes;

Whereas the Idaho Potato Commission is recognized nationally and internationally as a top promotional authority for Idaho’s potatoes and potato products;

Whereas the Idaho Potato Commission’s requirement, since 1959, that only potatoes grown in the State of Idaho are allowed to wear the Grown in Idaho Federal certification mark contributed toward the creation of a distinctive, enduringly successful, and popular brand for the Russet Burbank potato variety; and

Whereas Idaho’s potato industry contributes approximately $2,700,000,000 to the economy of Idaho and employs 39,000 residents of that State: Now, therefore, be it