CONGRESS HONORS IDAHO POTATOES, INDUSTRY

Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate and House of Representative have approved resolutions honoring Idaho potatoes and growers and noting the 70th Anniversary of the Idaho Potato Commission. Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig introduced the Senate resolution approved unanimously today by the Senate. A similar resolution introduced by Congressmen Mike Simpson and Bill Sali was approved in the House of Representatives. The resolutions bring Congressional recognition of May 2007 as "Idaho Potato Month" and note that the Idaho potato 'brand' is recognized throughout the world for high quality standards associated with being a product of the state of Idaho. "May 2007 marks the 70th consecutive year that Idaho potatoes have been promoted by the Idaho Potato Commission, an Idaho potato industry group...recognized nationally and internationally as a top promotional authority for Idaho's potatoes and potato products," the Idaho Delegation said in the resolutions.Idaho's potato industry contributes approximately $2.7 billion to the Idaho economy. Idaho produces roughly one-third of all the potatoes grown in the United States, harvesting an average of between 12 and 14 billion pounds annually and employing 39,000 state residents. # # #