WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that the White House will serve Maine lobster tomorrow night at the State Dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping. Senator King had reached out to the White House to request that it recognize National Lobster Day, which is also tomorrow, and which was designated as a result of a resolution introduced by Senator King, Senator Susan Collins, and fellow Senate colleagues from New England. The White House responded by informing Senator King that it intended to serve Maine lobster at the State Dinner.

“Maine lobster is renowned across the globe as a delicious commodity, and at home, our lobstermen rightly consider it a source of pride,” said Senator King. “We, as a state, can share in that pride knowing that our lobster will be served at the White House tomorrow night where it can be enjoyed by all, and, we hope, also play a small role in building on our relationship with China. Lobster is a delicacy worth sharing, and I am proud that the White House – on National Lobster Day – is helping to give it its due.”

“We are so pleased that on National Lobster Day the White House has decided to celebrate by offering Maine Lobster as part of the China State Dinner - cementing it as a true delicacy,” said Matt Jacobson, Executive Director of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative. “China is a booming market for the Maine Lobster industry, so it’s fantastic to see that being recognized during such an important occasion.”

Following the Senate’s passage of the National Lobster Day Resolution last month, Senator King’s staff asked the White House to help honor the day by recognizing lobster’s prominent place in the culture and economy of the United States. The White House later informed Senator King’s office that it intended to serve Maine lobster for the State Dinner hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping. More specifically, the White House will offer butter poached Maine lobster with spinach, shiitake and leek rice noodle rolls, in addition to other menu options. To see the menu, click HERE.

In early August, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution sponsored by Senators King and Collins designating September 25, 2015 as “National Lobster Day.” Lobstering has long been a driving force for economic growth in the United States and serves as a symbol of the strong work ethic the industry has come to embody. Lobster is one of the largest catches in the U.S., with more than 120 million pounds landed each year. The resolution was also co-sponsored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).

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