House Joint Resolution 8

Oregon Laws 2005

AN ACT

Whereas Oregon is internationally renowned for producing a variety of delicious, sweet and juicy pears, including Comice, Anjou, Bosc and Bartlett; and

Whereas the Northwest is the only geographic region in the United States that has the ideal combination of climatic and geographic settings needed to produce high-quality, delicious summer and winter pear varieties; and

Whereas Oregon’s rich pear-growing region stretches along the banks of the Columbia River, and thousands of acres of pears flourish in the valleys beneath the snowcapped peak of Mt. Hood; and

Whereas the Rogue River Valley in southern Oregon has long been home to high-yield pear orchards in view of Mt. McLoughlin, and is the southernmost growing region of the Northwest pear industry; and

Whereas organic, commercial and multigeneration family orchards all contribute high-quality fruit to Oregon’s fresh pear industry, making the pear Oregon’s top-selling tree fruit crop and its 10th largest agricultural commodity; and

Whereas Oregon is world famous for its beautiful and delicious pear and fruit gift baskets produced in Medford and Hood River; and

Whereas Oregon’s total pear production consistently ranks third overall in the United States and Oregon’s fresh pear production ranks second; and

Whereas pears are a good source of vitamin C, potassium and dietary fiber, have no cholesterol, are low in calories, with only 100 calories per serving, and complement the active Oregon lifestyle; and

Whereas the State of Oregon does not have an official state fruit; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon:

That the pear (Pyrus communis) is the official fruit of the State of Oregon.

Filed in the Office of the Secretary of State May 9, 2005

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