National Dairy Goat Awareness Week is an annual observance in the United States to promote awarenessofdairy goats. Since 1988, when the United States Congress voted to officially recognize National Dairy Goat Awareness Week, it has been held each year between the second Saturday of June and the third Saturday of June. Local observances during that week include demonstrations of goat milking and hoof trimming, and goat obstacle courses.[1]
In 1987, North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms filed a resolution to set aside a week in June "to educate the American people to the potential of dairy goats and their products." The measure was co-sponsored by Senators Bob Dole of Kansas and Patrick Leahy of Vermont.[4] On June 19, President Ronald Reagan issued Proclamation 5669, designating National Dairy Goat Awareness Week.[5] The President praised dairy goats for their link with American history and their ability to thrive in harsh environments.[6]
The United States Congress passed House Joint Resolution 423 in 1988, calling on the President to issue a proclamation declaring the period beginning the second Saturday of June and ending the third Saturday of June as National Dairy Goat Awareness Week. Reagan issued Proclamation 5834, praising the dairy goat's ability to efficiently convert "a wide variety of vegetation into nutritious milk and meat", and calling on people to observe the holiday with "appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities."[7]
In 1990, Governor James Blanchard proclaimed Dairy Goat Awareness Week in Michigan, honoring the 200 herds of registered goats in the state and their owners.[8]
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