[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E555-E557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAMS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 5, 2000

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3671) to 
     amend the Acts popularly known as the Pittman-Robertson 
     Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish 
     Restoration Act to enhance the funds available for grants to 
     States for fish and wildlife conservation projects and 
     increase opportunities for recreational hunting, bow hunting, 
     trapping, archery, and fishing, by eliminating opportunities 
     for waste, fraud, abuse, maladministration, and unauthorized 
     expenditures for administration and execution of those Acts, 
     and for other purposes:

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chairman, I submit the following into the 
Record in support of H.R. 3671.

                                         Archery Manufacturers and


                                       Merchants Organization,

                                  Gainesville, FL, March 13, 2000.
     Hon. Don Young,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Don: We heartily support H.R. 3671, the Wildlife and 
     Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000. We 
     feel this measure will tighten-up the administration of these 
     programs and we are particularly supportive of Sec. 102, 
     Firearm and Bow Hunter Education and Safety Program Grants of 
     H.R. 3671. This will go a long way toward fulfilling the 
     commitment made to our sport and industry when we agreed to 
     be taxed under Pittman-Robertson some 30 years ago.
       We also are greatly appreciative of having had the 
     opportunity to participate in discussions with staff leading 
     up to the writing of H.R. 3671. There was a refreshing 
     openness in this entire process.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Dick Lattimer,
                                                    President/CEO.


     
                                  ____
         National Rifle Association of America, Institute for 
           Legislative Action,
                                      Fairfax, VA, March 13, 2000.
     Hon. Don Young,
     Chairman, House Resources Committee, Longworth House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Young: The NRA wholeheartedly supports your 
     bill, H.R. 3671, the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration 
     Programs Improvement Act. We speak on behalf of every one of 
     our 3.2 million members who pay into the Pittman Robertson 
     trust fund whether they own firearms for self-defense, 
     recreational shooting, collecting or hunting.
       Sportsmen and other firearm owners put their faith and 
     trust in the Federal Government when they elected to be taxed 
     to help fledgling state fish and wildlife agencies of the 
     1930's begin to launch what we take for granted today as 
     scientific wildlife management. For over six decades, 
     sportsmen have trusted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to 
     manage their excise tax dollars for the benefit of state 
     wildlife restoration programs. However, alarmed over several 
     programs created with the use of administrative dollars, but 
     without legal authority, the NRA went on record in a 
     statement submitted for your 1996 oversight hearing on the 
     ``Teaming with Wildlife'' concept urging the Congress to 
     examine how the Service was spending trust fund 
     administrative dollars. Never did we imagine the extent of 
     waste, abuse and mismanagement that was uncovered through 
     your Committee's investigative efforts.
       The NRA strongly believes that meaningful, long-lasting 
     reform can only be assured through legislative reform as 
     embraced by your legislation, H.R. 3671. What the Service can 
     implement administratively to strengthen internal controls 
     and management for Pittman-Robertson trust fund and its 
     counterpart, the Dingell-Johnson trust fund, should be 
     encouraged. But those efforts alone cannot restore the trust 
     of our members. Reform must be anchored in corrective 
     measures made as amendments to the underlying laws.
       The NRA appreciates the opportunity that you accorded us to 
     participate in discussions regarding the shape the reform 
     language should take. Your bill reflects a very deliberative 
     process in assimilating a diverse array of recommendations 
     and views. There are two provisions of H.R. 3671 I would like 
     to comment on that are of particular importance to our 
     membership. First, the bill ensures that none of the 
     administrative funds will ever be used by any organization 
     that promotes or encourages opposition to hunting, fishing or 
     trapping or for any project that promotes such opposition. 
     This is language critical to a reform bill.
       Second, on behalf of all our members that rely on shooting 
     ranges for firearm and hunter safety courses and recreational 
     and competitive shooting, we appreciate having language in 
     the bill that earmarks funds for shooting and archery range 
     purposes. These funds will supplement the discretionary funds 
     made available to states from one-half of the excise tax 
     revenue collected on the sale of handguns and archery 
     equipment. For years our recreational shooters have expressed 
     concern that states have not lived up to the bargain struck 
     with them in support of the extension of the excise tax in 
     the 1970's. We trust that the states will look to these funds 
     as additional support to assist them in meeting the needs of 
     the excise tax paying shooters, hunters and archers and will 
     not attempt to use these funds as an offset to the 
     discretionary funds.
       We thank you for your leadership in overseeing the 
     examination of Service's management of the trust funds and 
     your commitment provide an avenue to restore health and 
     vitality to the programs. These trust funds are unprecedented 
     in the world and while the conservation dollars can be 
     counted in the billions, the conservation benefits are 
     inestimable. It is important for all of us who cherish our 
     fish and wildlife resources to see that the sportsmen and 
     women of this country are given a sound reason to be taxed 
     for the benefit of the conservation, restoration, and 
     enhancement of those same resources.
           Sincerely,
                                                  James Jay Baker,
                                               Executive Director.


[[Page E556]]

     
                                  ____


                                                 National Trappers


                                            Association, Inc.,

                             New Martinsville, WV, March 13, 2000.
     Congressman Don Young.
       Dear Congressman Young: This communication is to indicate 
     the support of the National Trappers Association for H.R. 
     3671.
       NTA has worked hard to assure corrective actions are taken 
     to be sure the PR-DJ Funds from excise taxes are used for 
     wildlife and conservation efforts as originally intended.
       Thank you so much for doing the right thing for sportsmen 
     in America, the true conservationists who put their money 
     where their mouth is.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Scott Hartman,
                       Director, National & International Affairs.


     
                                  ____
                                National Wilderness Institute,

                                    Washington, DC, April 5, 2000.
     Hon. Don Young,
     Chairman, House Resources Committee, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for introducing The Wildlife 
     and Sport Restoration and Improvement Act of 2000. This bill 
     will help stop the mismanagement by the current leadership of 
     the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Dingell-Johnson Act, the 
     Pittman-Robertson Act and other programs administered by the 
     Division of Federal Aid. These laws are based on the 
     remarkably straightforward idea of using an excise tax on 
     guns, ammunition and fishing gear to provide a secure funding 
     base for state fish and game departments. Most state fish and 
     wildlife agencies get their budgets almost entirely from the 
     sale of hunting and fishing licenses and P-R and D-J funds.
       In much of the world, sport hunting and fishing are the 
     privilege of noblemen but America is different, and sportsmen 
     here are determined to preserve our country's outdoor 
     heritage and maintain hunting and fishing opportunities for 
     everyone. That is why sportsmen started these programs which 
     have been largely responsible for the development of 
     scientific wildlife management. Of course, the sound wildlife 
     conservation efforts underwritten by sportsmen also benefit 
     non-game species. When sportsmen create habitat for quail, 
     ducks or trout, they also provide habitat for woodpeckers, 
     eagles and all other species.
       Sportsmen pay for conservation and the rest of us have 
     pretty much gotten a free ride. That is why it was so wrong 
     for the current leaders of the Fish and Wildlife Service to 
     loot this uniquely effective program to create slush funds 
     and use it as a cash cow to cover foreign travel and 
     unrelated administrative expenses. Their attempt to divert 
     these funds to anti-hunting groups is an even worse affront. 
     The mismanagement of these funds is cause for concern about 
     any new funding mechanism that do not require annual 
     appropriations. We greatly appreciate your leadership in 
     upholding our sportsmen-conservationist heritage and taking 
     steps to clean up the problems at the Fish and Wildlife 
     Service.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Rob Gordon,
                                               Executive Director.


     
                                  ____
                                    Safari Club International,

                                      Herndon, VA, March 10, 2000.
     Representative Don Young,
     Chairman, House Resources Committee, Rayburn HOB, Washington, 
         DC.
     RE: H.R. 3671, the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and 
         Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act

       Dear Chairman Young: Safari Club International (SCI) 
     considers H.R. 3671, the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife 
     Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act, 
     to be of utmost importance for the future of sportsmen and 
     wildlife in the 106th Congress.
       This is a bipartisan reform legislative effort. The bill 
     has been introduced with a diverse and respected group of co-
     sponsors, including yourself, Representative John Dingell (D-
     MI), Representative Tom DeLay (R-TX), Representative Owen 
     Pickett (D-VA), Representative Richard Pombo (R-CA), 
     Representative Chris John (D-LA), Representative John 
     Peterson (R-PA), and others. The Congressional Sportsmen's 
     Caucus supports the legislation because of the positive 
     impact it will have on wildlife, habitat and sportsmen far 
     into the future.
       H.R. 3671 will bring integrity and respect back into the 
     system. As you know, the original intent of the Pittman-
     Robertson (P-R) excise tax was that it be used solely for the 
     purpose of wildlife restoration in the 50 states. GAO 
     investigations into the misuse of P-R funds revealed that 
     ``P-R funds were being administered like a big shell game.'' 
     H.R. 3671 eliminates any ambiguity in the current statute by 
     explicitly delineating proper purposes for the fund. In 
     addition to setting clear guidelines for federal 
     administrators it will also emphasize to state wildlife 
     administrators the intent of the law when spending 
     sportsmen's dollars. H.R. 3671 will ensure accountability 
     when spending money that comes from sportsmen.
       In many cases the past distribution and spending of 
     Pittman-Robertson funds did not follow the intent of the 1937 
     law. The areas badly neglected were hunter education, 
     firearms safety, archery ranges, archery training and 
     firearms ranges. Groups like SCI, AMO, NSSF, and NRA had to 
     privately fund hunter education. Seven thousand volunteers 
     had to step in and assume responsibility because this 
     intended use of P-R money was not fulfilled as it should have 
     been.
       For example, in 1970, archers were promised that if they 
     came into the excise tax program, that 50% of the money 
     raised would be used for ranges and instruction. Since 1975, 
     $282,189,160.00 have been raised. Very little of the promised 
     $141 million has been used for ranges or instruction. Most of 
     it was diverted to other uses. A very important part of the 
     legislation is a restatement of the original intent.
       The final, and perhaps the most important part of the 
     legislation is a provision that encourages NGO's to 
     participate in a matching grant program for hunter education, 
     shooting safety, and recruitment of young people into an 
     appreciation of the outdoors. This section involves those who 
     pay the tax by allowing them to have a voice in how their 
     money is spent.
       For over 60 years, Pittman-Robertson funds have provided an 
     abundance of wildlife and habitat that is enjoyed by 
     sportsmen and the general public. Thank you for your support 
     of H.R. 3671, which insures that this work can continue far 
     into the future.
           Sincerely,

                                             Lawrence S. Katz,

                                                        President.

                                         Alfred S. Donau, III,

                                      Government Affairs Chairman.

                                            Hon. Ron Marlenee,

                                                       Consultant.


                                   Texas Wildlife Association,

                                  San Antonio, TX, March 31, 2000.
     Hon. Don Young,
     Chair, House of Representatives, Committee on Resources, 
         RHOB, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Young: One of the great honors of my life has 
     been testifying before you and your committee describing the 
     problems that resulted in your filing H.R. 3671. Passing 
     without dissent out of your committee speaks volumes about 
     bringing justice to the folks who have been paying for 
     conservation since 1937, and before. Who are they? Hunters 
     and anglers have paid for conservation . . . period.
       Not only has the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service forgotten 
     this fact, they have also ignored the central mission of 
     government: government should enable rather than require, let 
     alone try to do itself. Your H.R. 3671 reminds the USFWS that 
     their first duty is to empower the states to foster effort 
     from their citizens.
       The thousands of members of the Texas Wildlife Association, 
     who hunt and fish and lovingly conserve many, many millions 
     of acres of private wildlife habitat, urge all members of 
     Congress to vote for H.R. 3671.
           Very respectfully submitted,
                                                David K. Langford,
                                         Executive Vice President.


     
                                  ____
                             Trans Texas Heritage Association,

                                       Alpine, TX, March 31, 2000.
     Hon. Don Young,
     Chairman, House Resources Committee, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Young: The Trans Texas Heritage Association 
     and regional associations, Davis Mountains Trans-Pecos and 
     Hill Country Heritage Associations, represent members who own 
     more than 15.5 million acres of private land in Texas. It is 
     on behalf of these members that we thank you for introducing 
     The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration and Improvement Act 
     of 2000.
       The Heritage Association members are land stewards, 
     sportsmen, and conservationists. We are outraged by the U.S. 
     Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) mishandling of funds from 
     the Pittman-Robertson, Dingell-Johnson Act and other programs 
     which were specifically set aside to fund state fish and game 
     departments. Even more reprehensible is the USFWS's attempt 
     to divert these funds to anti-hunting groups. We are thankful 
     that The Wildlfie and Sport Fish Restoration and Improvement 
     Act of 2000 will help to stop these and other abuses.
       Chairman Young, we sincerely appreciate your commitment and 
     efforts that will benefit the preservation and conservation 
     of our nation's sportsmen's and outdoor heritage.
           Very truly yours,
                                                    C.M. Van Eman,
                                                        President.


     
                                  ____
                                     The Mule Deer Foundation,

                                          Reno, NV, April 5, 2000.
     Hon. Don Young,
     Chairman, House Resources Committee, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Your leadership for The Wildlife and 
     Sport Fish Restoration and Improvement Act of 2000 is to be 
     commended. The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) anticipates this 
     bill, when enacted, will assist the US Fish and Wildlife 
     Service to better manage Federal Aid funds. MDF is especially 
     supportive of good management of the funds from the Pittman-
     Robertson Act and the Dingell-Johnson Act. These Acts are 
     central to the conservation funding in this country and are, 
     frankly, an unprecedented model for sustainable conservation 
     worldwide. Hunters and fishermen in our country historically 
     have been the first to step to the plate to support 
     conservation and these Acts provide a critical source of 
     funding for conservation to stated conservation agencies. 
     With the disparate pressures that come from varied interests, 
     it is of critical importance that we continue to safeguard 
     and improve the management of these funds.
       The Mule Deer Foundation recognizes that this bill passed 
     out of the House Resources Committee with an amazing 36-0 
     vote. MDF

[[Page E557]]

     would like to voice its support for this bill and 
     congratulations to the Committee for its bi-partisan approach 
     to improving management of Federal Aid Funds.
       The Mule Deer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not for profit, 
     charitable organization whose Mission is to ensure the 
     conservation of mule and blacktailed deer and their habitats.
       Chairman Young, on behalf of The Mule Deer Foundation, let 
     me thank you and your Committee on this effort in behalf of 
     American's conservation programs.
           Very truly yours,
                                               William I. Morrill,
                                               President, and CEO.


     
                                  ____
                                    Gulf Lumber Company, Inc.,

                                        Mobile, AL, April 5, 2000.
     Hon. Don Young, Chairman, House Resources Committee, House of 
       Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Since the founding of the Mobile County 
     Wildlife Association and the Alabama Wildlife Federation in 
     the mid 1930's, my family has been involved in the 
     innumerable conservation and wildlife organizations. We have 
     spent untold dollars and man-hours furthering the 
     conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat.
       I tell you this to say thank you for introducing The 
     Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration and Improvement Act of 
     2000. This bill will help stop the mismanagement by the 
     current leadership of the Fish and Wildlife Service of the 
     Dingell-Johnson Act, the Pittman-Robertson Act and other 
     programs administered by the Division of Federal Aid.
       It is wrong for the current leaders of the Fish and 
     Wildlife Service to loot this uniquely effective program to 
     create slush funds and use it as a cash cow to cover foreign 
     travel and unrelated administrative expenses. Their attempt 
     to divert these funds to anti-hunting groups is an even worse 
     affront.
       We greatly appreciate your leadership in upholding our 
     sportsmen-conservationist heritage and taking steps to clean 
     up the problems at the Fish and Wildlife Service.
           Sincerely,
                                            W.S. (Sandy) Stimpson,
                                               Sr. Vice President.