WHEREASLast year, the 645,000 dairy cows on our Commonwealth's farms produced 10.6 billion pounds of milk, which maintained Pennsylvania's status as*the fourth largest milk producing state in the country. Pennsylvania also ranks second nationally in the annual production of ice cream, with 66 million gallons per year, and sixth in die production of cheese, with 348 million pounds per year; and WHEREAS, the dairy industry is the leading segment of our Commonwealth's number one industry, agriculture. More than 38 percent of the agricultural income of Pennsylvania is generated by milk sales which represent a $1.46 billion contribution to the Commonwealth's economy. In addition to our 11,800 commercial dairy farmers, thousands of Pennsylvanians are employed in the manufacturing and processing of dairy products. As these statistics reveal, the Pennsylvania dairy industry continues to be sensitive to and meet the changing demands of consumers; and WHEREAS, the Dairy of Distinction program was developed to- recognize the most attractive dairy farms in Pennsylvania. Rating them for neatness, maintenance and roadside appearance, a team of skilled judges carefully select those dairy farms exhibiting the highest standards of excellence. Since the inception of the program in 1987, six hundred and thirty-three Commonwealth farms have been honored, including thirty-five farms receiving Dairy of Distinction awards in 1996. THEREFORE, In special recognition of the strength and vitality that our dairy farmers and their families bring to our rural communities, I, Tom Ridge, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim August II - 17, 1996, as DAIRY OF DISTINCTION WEEK in Pennsylvania. I encourage all Pennsylvanians to recognize the invaluable contributions made by the dairy industry to our economy and our quality of life. (Sfluernor’a Office PROCLAMATION DAIRY OF DISTINCTION WEEK August 11-17, 1996 GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, this eleventh day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and ninety-six and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and twenty-first TOM RIDGE U Governor
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