[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 34 (Thursday, March 23, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. LINCOLN:
  S. 2278. A bill to reauthorize the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and 
Design Program Act of 1994; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
Works.


  junior duck stamp conservation and design program authorization act

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be here today to 
introduce the ``Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program 
Authorization Act''. The Junior Duck Stamp program gives youth a 
valuable opportunity to study waterfowl and learn about environmental 
conservatism through the arts.
  I believe we have an unique opportunity to instill in our children a 
love of the outdoors and must encourage our children by example to 
protect our natural resources for future generations. Through my own 
personal experiences in the outdoors, I have learned to value and 
appreciate the joys of hunting and fishing and look forward to raising 
my twin boys with the proper respect for the environment so that they 
too will enjoy a lifetime of experiencing one of America's greatest 
treasures.
  The Junior Duck Stamp Reauthorization Act provides us with one of 
these opportunities to instill the importance of conservation in our 
nation's children. This legislation will reauthorize a program which 
helps teach children to love and respect the environment, while 
encouraging artistic development. By concentrating on nature, students 
have an opportunity to appreciate our country's great natural resources 
and explore their own talents.
  The Junior Duck Stamp program allows students from elementary to high 
school to research any species of North American waterfowl and portray 
it artistically. Students then may enter their design in a state 
contest. The ``Best of Show'' winners at the state level are then sent 
to Washington D.C. for a national competition. The first place national 
winner receives a $2500 scholarship award and his/her design is used to 
create a Federal Junior Duck Stamp each year. Proceeds from the sale of 
the stamp, which costs $5, are then invested back into the program.
  The Junior Duck Stamp Program was originally developed through the 
Fish and Wildlife Service with a grant from the National Fish and 
Wildlife Foundation. The program was expanded by Congress in 1994 and 
authorized through the year 2000. In 1998, more than 42,000 students 
entered the art contest. It is estimated by educators who work with the 
program, that for every student who enters the contest, ten other 
students actually participate in the curriculum.
  I encourage my colleagues to join with me in supporting legislation 
which will continue the Junior Duck Stamp Program and encourage 
conservation practices and appreciation of the outdoors in our 
children.
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