Don't disrespect the rose

From Craig Regelbrugge, AmericanHort:

AmericanHort and allies are pushing back against two ill-conceived bills that have been introduced in the House of Representatives. The first is H.R.2943, introduced by Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ). This bill would prohibit the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from spending any funds on rose rosette disease research. Rose rosette disease, a viral pathogen transmitted by a mite, is a grave threat to the garden rose industry, which is valued at more than $200 million at farmgate nationally, and is important in Arizona. Because of the threat the disease poses, USDA has funded a multi-year research project led by Dr. David Byrne of Texas A&M University. AmericanHort strongly supports this federal/private sector research partnership.

Next, Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) has introduced H.R. 2606, the Roads Not Roses Act. Her bill would prohibit the use of federal highway funds for “beautification.” AmericanHort has joined forces with the Missouri Landscape and Nursery Association and the American Society of Landscape Architects to educate Rep. Hartzler and her colleagues on the importance of green infrastructure landscape components associated with many transportation projects. Site-appropriate landscaping stabilizes soil, mitigates air and water pollution, reduces noise and glare, and even provides pollinator habitat.

Members of Congress who act out of emotion to disrespect the rose, our national flower, would be wise to remember who signed the proclamation giving the rose its distinction. That would be none other than President Ronald Reagan, in November, 1986.