[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 132 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SALUTING HUNTERS AND ANGLERS ON THE 27TH ANNUAL NATIONAL HUNTING AND 
                              FISHING DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 28, 1998

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join in 
celebrating the 27th anniversary of the National Hunting & Fishing 
(NHF) Day. NHF Day is a nationwide tradition that introduces millions 
of Americans to outdoor sports. The theme for this year, ``A Natural 
Invitation to Step Outside,'' was chosen to encourage all Americans to 
head outside and share the values and fun the outdoors offers. 
According to Chris Chaffin, NHF Day Director, ``It is more important 
now than ever to introduce newcomers to hunting, shooting, fishing and 
other activities because those who participate in these outdoor sports 
gain a lifetime of enjoyment, embrace an American tradition and share 
the values of stewardship and resource conservation for our future.''
  President Nixon and Congress established NHF Day in 1971 to recognize 
generations of hunters and anglers for the time and money that they 
have contributed to wildlife conservation efforts. To date, this totals 
more than $20 billion and uncounted hours of work on habitat 
improvement projects.
  In fact, data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service show hunters 
and anglers contributed nearly $1 billion to wildlife conservation for 
1997. These revenues, raised through license sales, support state 
wildlife agencies and their conservation projects. This money is not 
general tax revenue, yet it benefits every American by promoting both a 
healthy environment and healthy wildlife. Moreover, these figures do 
not include the hundreds of millions of dollars raised through excise 
taxes on hunting and fishing equipment and donations to conservation 
organizations.
  Of course, to hunters and anglers, this is nothing new. Over 100 
years ago, they were the earliest and most vocal supporters of 
conservation and scientific wildlife management. They were the first to 
recognize that rapid development and the unregulated use of wildlife 
were seriously threatening the future of many species.
  Led by President Theodore Roosevelt, these early conservationists 
called for the passage of the first laws to outlaw market hunting and 
provide funds to state wildlife agencies through sales of hunting and 
fishing licenses and taxes on sporting equipment. Hunters and anglers 
today provide more than 75% of the funding for these agencies. During 
the past century, sportsmen and sportswomen have worked countless hours 
to protect and improve millions of acres of vital wildlife habitat on 
lands available for the use and enjoyment of everyone.
  In particular, I would like to highlight and praise the role of 
Colorado's hunters and anglers in wildlife conservation. According to 
1997 figures, Colorado's sportsmen and sportswomen purchased over 1.4 
million hunting and fishing licenses which generated almost $60 million 
for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Projects such as the Greenback 
trout recovery, Frying Pan River trout stocking, Beaver Creek cutthroat 
trout restoration, Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility in San 
Luis Valley (a first in the nation), and $300,000 for wetlands 
conservation in San Luis Valley, are all beneficiaries of these 
revenues.
  In Colorado, as in the rest of the country, hunters and anglers, 
through license fees and excise taxes, have been the biggest single 
force behind the restoration of habitat and wildlife conservation. I, 
for one, would like to salute those hunters and anglers on this 27th 
observance of the National Hunting and Fishing Day.

                          ____________________