[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 82 (Monday, June 22, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S6830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING RICK JAMESON

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
passing of one of the great leaders of Michigan's conservation 
community. On Saturday, my friend Richard Jameson, the executive 
director of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, succumbed to liver 
cancer. Rick was 48 years old.
  Rick was an environmentalist and an avid outdoorsman whose roots 
extended beyond our state. A native of Oklahoma, he received his 
bachelor's and master's degrees in natural resources management from 
Michigan State University and began working for the Michigan United 
Conservation Clubs in 1976. Rick's expertise and hard work were quickly 
recognized and in 1980 he headed back to his home state to serve as 
executive director of the Oklahoma Wildlife Federation. He continued in 
that capacity for eight years until 1988, when MUCC was fortunate 
enough to lure him back to serve as assistant executive director.
  Rick was a strong and dedicated environmentalist. Among his 
accomplishments was the passage of Michigan's beverage container 
deposit law; a law which has been widely acknowledged as greatly 
reducing litter in our state. Rick also played a vital role in 
providing Michigan voters the opportunity to pass a constitutional 
amendment that will ensure a constant source of funds for Michigan's 
state parks.
  Rick was also an avid outdoorsman. Here, too, he achieved important 
successes. He was instrumental in securing the overwhelming approval of 
a campaign which will guarantee that Michigan game animals are managed 
on the basis of sound biological science. He also helped defeat another 
initiative which would have virtually eliminated bear hunting in the 
state of Michigan.
  In short, Mr. President, I believe that Rick Jameson was one of the 
few individuals who truly understood the importance of both 
conservation and sportsman's rights. He spent his life's work 
protecting both as few others could.
  And Rick was a fighter. Despite suffering the effects of both his 
illness and the chemotherapy he was undergoing, Rick continued to work 
as long as possible. My office consulted with him as recently as last 
month, soliciting his input on legislation I have drafted and on other 
bills pending in the Senate. When it came to conservation, hunting and 
fishing, there was no one in the state whose opinion I trusted more 
than Rick's.
  Rick is survived by his wife of 18 years, Robbie, his daughter, 
Christine, and two brothers. My thoughts and prayers go out to 
them.

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