2015 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 68
BY SENATOR MORRISH
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To memorialize the Congress of the United States to restore trade relations between the
United States and Cuba in order to open the market to Louisiana rice.
WHEREAS, in 2014, Louisiana produced over three billion pounds of rice
amounting to fifteen percent of the United States' rice production; and
WHEREAS, the rice industry provides over nine thousand jobs to the Louisiana
economy; and
WHEREAS, increased rice exports to Cuba would lead to greater export
opportunities for Louisiana farmers and the potential for increased acreage; and
WHEREAS, resumed rice exports to Cuba would also benefit those affiliated with
rice production, milling, and exporting; and
WHEREAS, rice farming and milling has a large impact on Louisiana's secondary
economy in that for every dollar that Louisiana rice produces, approximately thirty-five
cents is added indirectly to the economy through seed and fertilizer sales, farm equipment,
crop services, and transportation; and
WHEREAS, resuming the trade of rice with Cuba would be a huge economic gain
for Louisiana's port system; and
WHEREAS, prior to the creation of the trade embargo in 1962, the Port of New
Orleans handled over sixty-five percent of all traded goods to Cuba; and
WHEREAS, the fifty-plus-year trade embargo between the United States and Cuba
remains the longest-standing embargo in modern history; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana is the top state of origination for Cuban-bound exports,
representing nearly thirty percent of the export market share; and
WHEREAS, it is time to end an outdated policy that continues to deny valuable
business opportunities to Louisiana rice farmers, millers, and allied businesses, such as
transportation, storage, and shipping; and
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WHEREAS, Cuba imports more than one billion dollars worth of food every year,
including approximately five hundred thousand tons of rice; and
WHEREAS, the rice industry in Louisiana is positioned to benefit from the market
opportunities that normalized trade with Cuba would provide due to our healthy supply, port
infrastructure, and proximity to Cuba; and
WHEREAS, the USA Rice Federation and its affiliate members along with the
Louisiana Rice Growers Association, the Louisiana Rice Promotion Board, and the
Louisiana Rice Council are in support of restoring trade relations between the United States
and Cuba in order to open the market to Louisiana rice.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana memorializes
the Congress of the United States to restore trade relations between the United States and
Cuba in order to open the market to Louisiana rice.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution shall be transmitted
to the secretary of the United States Senate, the clerk of the United States House of
Representatives, and to each member of the Louisiana delegation to the United States
Congress.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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