WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins today introduced a resolution that would designate September 25, 2016, as “National Lobster Day.” Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) also sponsored the resolution, which recognizes the historic and economic importance of lobster in the United States.

            “Maine’s lobster industry is both an important pillar in our state’s economy and a fundamental part of our state’s identity,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “Today, hundreds of Maine families rely on the lobster they catch off the coast to make a living while thousands of families travel from across the country and the world to enjoy the delicacy. That’s why we believe it’s important to reflect on and celebrate the positive impact that lobster has up and down our coastline. We hope our colleagues will join us in supporting ‘National Lobster Day’ to recognize the lobster’s prominent place in both our economy and our heritage.”

“We are excited that, for the second year in a row, Senators King and Collins have introduced a resolution to designate September 25^th as National Lobster Day,” said Matt Jacobson, Executive Director of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative. “Maine Lobster is an iconic product from our great state and for people across the world. September is peak season for Maine Lobster, and the formal acknowledgement of National Lobster Day would recognize our industry and the hard-working individuals who have dedicated their lives to it. We thank Senators King and Collins for their support with this resolution.”

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.

Last year, Senators Collins and King introduced and shepherded through the Senate a resolution designating September 25, 2015, as National Lobster Day.

The “National Lobster Day” resolution can be read HERE and the full text is available below:

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RESOLUTION

Designating September 25, 2016, as ‘‘National Lobster Day’’.

Whereas the American lobster is recognized around the world as a prized and flavorful culinary delicacy;

Whereas lobster fishing has served as an economic engine and 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 is caught each year in the waters of the United States, representing one of the most valuable catches in the United States;

Whereas foreign markets for lobster from the United States are booming, with export values having more than doubled since 2009;

Whereas historical lore notes that lobster likely joined turkey on the table at the very first Thanksgiving feast in 1621;

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

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

Whereas lobster is an excellent source of lean protein and is low in saturated fat and high in vitamin B12;

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

Whereas the White House proudly served lobster at the State Dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping on National Lobster Day in 2015;

Whereas, on September 24, 2015, steamed lobster was prepared for the visit by Pope Francis to New York;

Whereas lobster is enjoyed at casual beach-side lobster boils and also revered as a delicacy at fine dining restaurants; and

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

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) designates September 25, 2016, 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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