Blumenthal Joins Senate Effort to Designate September 25, 2015 as National Lobster Day

(Washington, DC) – This week, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined with seven of his Senate colleagues on a resolution designating Friday, September 25, 2015 as “National Lobster Day.” Led by U.S. Senators Angus King (R-Maine) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), and co-sponsors Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) the resolution recognizes the historic and economic importance of lobster in the United States.

“For generations, Connecticut lobsters have been a staple at kitchen tables across New England and a foundational product for lobster fishermen and their small businesses,” said Blumenthal. “I am proud to join my colleagues in marking National Lobster Day this year as we celebrate a uniquely New England food and the men and women who power the industry.”

Lobster fishing has served as an economic engine and a family tradition in the United States for centuries, helping to support the livelihoods of thousands of families in the United States through fishing, processing, and shipping. More than 120 million pounds of lobster are caught each year in U.S. waters, representing one of our country’s most valuable catches.

The “National Lobster Day” resolution can be viewed HERE, and the full text is available below.

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RESOLUTION

Designating September 25, 2015, as ‘‘National Lobster

Day’’.

Whereas lobster from the United States is recognized around the world as a prized culinary delicacy;

Whereas lobster fishing has served as an economic engine and a family tradition in the United States for centuries;

Whereas thousands of families in the United States make their livelihoods from lobster fishing and processing;

Whereas more than 120,000,000 pounds of lobster are caught each year in waters of the United States, representing one of the Nation’s most valuable catches;

Whereas the lobster industry is booming abroad, with profits climbing from $335,800,000 in 2009 to $738,600,000 in 2014;

Whereas historical lore notes that lobster likely joined turkey

on the table at the very first Thanksgiving Day feast in 1621;

Whereas responsible lobstering practices, beginning in the 1600s, have created one of the world’s most sustainable fisheries;

Whereas Lobster Newburg was featured on the menu at the inaugural dinner celebration for President John F. Kennedy;

Whereas lobsters are one of the most healthy and nutritious sources of protein;

Whereas the peak of the lobstering season in the United States occurs in the late summer;

Whereas lobster has become a culinary icon, with the lobster roll being featured at the 2015 World Food Expo in Milan, Italy;

Whereas lobster is featured on more and more restaurant menus, growing by 35 percent from 2009 to 2013; Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) designates September 25, 2015, as ‘‘National Lobster Day’’; and

(2) encourages the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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