HR0043 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0043 LRB100 07406 MST 17470 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Bacon is consumed at breakfast an average of 12 times per person per year; 69% of all food service operators serve bacon; more than half of all homes (53%) keep bacon on hand at all times; each year in the United States, more than 1.7 billion pounds of bacon are consumed in food service; bacon contains a high level of nutrients and is a useful addition to any diet; the key to eating bacon and gaining health benefits is keeping portions to reasonable sizes; and

WHEREAS, Baconfest is a fun-filled, walk-around, tasting event, featuring the most creative bacon dishes from the best chefs in Chicago; since 2009, Baconfest has raised over $300,000, enabling partners like the Greater Chicago Food depository to distribute more than 924,000 meals to hungry people in the area; and

WHEREAS, Pork is versatile, affordable, and accessible for many Americans; its many beneficial qualities make it easy to incorporate into any healthy diet; and

WHEREAS, Pork is not only a good source of protein, but also provides several important vitamins and minerals; a three-ounce serving of pork is an excellent source of thiamin, selenium, protein, niacin, vitamin B6, and phosphorus and a good source of riboflavin, zinc, and potassium; and

WHEREAS, Pork is naturally low in sodium and a good source of potassium - two nutrients that, when coupled, can help regulate blood pressure; today's pork is 16% leaner and 27% lower in saturated fat compared to 20 years ago; and

WHEREAS, Pork - representing 42.6% of total meat consumed - is the world's most widely eaten meat according to the United States Department of Agriculture; seven cuts of pork meet the USDA guidelines for "lean" by containing less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, and 95 milligrams of cholesterol per 100 grams of meat; and

WHEREAS, Pork tenderloin is certified as heart-healthy by the American Heart Association with its Heart-Check mark, indicating that it contains less than 6.5 grams of fat, one gram or less of saturated fat (and 15% or less calories from saturated fat), and 480 milligrams or less of sodium per label serving, among other criteria; pork tenderloin has the same amount of fat as a skinless chicken breast; and

WHEREAS, Illinois ranks fourth in the nation in swine production; pork producers have enhanced feeding and breeding practices to deliver leaner options for today's health conscious consumers; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) represents more than 2,000 pork producers throughout Illinois; the IPPA is comprised of county pork producer groups in approximately 20 counties throughout Illinois; the IPPA is an affiliate of the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board; the Illinois pork industry contributes more than $1.8 billion and more than 10,500 jobs to the State's economy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we call upon the leaders of the State of Illinois to recognize and continue to defend the importance of bacon and other pork products, along with the pork producers, to the economy, job growth, and the consumer preference of the people of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Illinois Pork Producers Association as a symbol of our esteem and respect.