2016 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 188
BY SENATOR MIZELL
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to develop and adopt an
official logo for watermelons produced in Washington Parish.
WHEREAS, Washington Parish watermelons are well known throughout the state
of Louisiana for their superior quality, flavor, and sweetness; and
WHEREAS, Washington Parish watermelons provide a wide range of economic
benefits to the Southeast Louisiana region and are an integral part of the agricultural history
of Washington Parish; and
WHEREAS, counterfeit watermelons are being sold in many areas of the state and
are fraudulently misrepresented as Washington Parish watermelons; and
WHEREAS, the sale of fraudulent watermelons has negatively impacted Washington
Parish watermelon farmers by increasing the market supply and reducing the price of their
watermelons; and
WHEREAS, the sale of fraudulent watermelons also makes it harder for Washington
Parish watermelon farmers to market their product and promotes unfair competition between
genuine and fraudulent products; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana consumers expect and deserve a superior product when
purchasing a Washington Parish watermelon; and
WHEREAS, the sale of fraudulent watermelons unfairly misrepresents the quality
and integrity of Washington Parish watermelons; and
WHEREAS, deceptive or misleading labeling of agricultural products falls under the
jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry; and
WHEREAS, R.S. 3:4721 authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to
adopt official logos for Louisiana products which may be trademarked and protected from
misuse or infringement; and
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WHEREAS, R.S. 3:4721 further authorizes the Department of Agriculture and
Forestry to license the use of a logo and adopt rules for determining which products and
producers will be allowed to use the logo; and
WHEREAS, adopting an official logo for Washington Parish watermelons will
benefit Louisiana consumers and Washington Parish farmers by ensuring a genuine product
and verifying the authenticity of the watermelons; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate for the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to
develop and adopt an official logo for watermelons produced in Washington Parish in order
to protect the economic interests of Washington Parish watermelon farmers and preserve the
integrity of their superior product.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to develop and
adopt an official logo for watermelons produced in Washington Parish.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
commissioner of agriculture and forestry.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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