Whereas, founded in 1964 in Portland, Oregon, the World Forestry Center is a nonprofit educational institution; and

Whereas, its mission is “to educate and inform people about the world's forests and trees, and their importance to all life, in order to promote a balanced and sustainable future;” and

Whereas, February the World Forestry Center hosts a ‘ChocolateFest’ event every year

to benefit The Discovery Museum, and its education programs; and

Whereas, ChocolateFest is the ideal opportunity to educate people that chocolate comes from

trees; and

Whereas, dozens of local businesses, culinary schools, distilleries, wineries and breweries

participate in this event to support a non-profit organization.

Now, Therefore, I, Tom Potter, Mayor of the City of Portland, do hereby proclaim February 2008 to be Portland’s first ever

Chocolate Month

in Portland, and encourage all citizens to participate.