[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 24, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H6495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDING OF INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 419) requesting the President to
issue a proclamation in observance of the 100th Anniversary of the
founding of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 419
Whereas on September 17, 1902, when Theodore Roosevelt was
President, 8 wildlife managers and game wardens from 6 States
met in West Yellowstone, Montana, on behalf of the country's
beleaguered fish and wildlife populations, and established
the National Association of Game and Fish Wardens and
Commissioners, which later became the International
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA);
Whereas 100 years later, IAFWA represents the fish and
wildlife agencies of all 50 States and enjoys the membership
of several Federal natural resource agencies, the Federal and
provincial fish and wildlife agencies of Canada, and the
Federal natural resource agency of Mexico;
Whereas IAFWA has been a significant force in the enactment
of fish and wildlife conservation treaties and Federal
statutes too numerous to enumerate, including the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act; the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration
Act; the Dingell-Johnson Sportfish Restoration Act; all farm
bills enacted since 1985; the North American Wetlands
Conservation Act; the National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997, and the Fish and Wildlife Programs
Improvement and National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial
Act of 2000, to mention but a few;
Whereas IAFWA continues to promote the sustainable use of
natural resources; to encourage cooperation and coordination
of fish and wildlife conservation and management at all
levels of government; to encourage professional management of
fish and wildlife; to develop coalitions among conservation
organizations to promote fish and wildlife interests; and to
foster public understanding of the need for conservation; and
Whereas the State fish and wildlife agencies have
successfully restored healthy fish and wildlife populations
enjoyed by all Americans largely using Federal excise taxes
paid by hunters and anglers into the Federal trust funds
known as the Pittman-Robertson, Dingell-Johnson, and Wallop-
Breaux trust funds, and using State hunting and fishing
license fees: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress--
(1) recognizes the significance of the centennial of the
establishment of the entity that became the International
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies;
(2) acknowledges the outstanding contributions of its
member agencies to fish and wildlife conservation; and
(3) requests the President to issue a proclamation
observing the 100th anniversary of the founding of the
International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I am pleased to present this resolution, introduced by the gentleman
from Alaska (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell),
which recognizes the International Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies for the dedicated service that they have rendered over the
past 100 years and the invaluable contributions they have made to fish
and wildlife management.
On September 17, 1902, eight wildlife managers from six States met
together in West Yellowstone, Montana, to form an organization which
became known as the International Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies. This month they will celebrate their 100th anniversary, and
it is appropriate to reflect upon the fine work that our State fish and
wildlife agencies perform on a daily basis. This organization has
played a key role in conserving and managing thousands of fish and
wildlife species and their essential habitats throughout the United
States.
This resolution recognizes the importance of the centennial
establishment of this organization, acknowledges the outstanding
contributions of its member agencies to conservation, and requests the
President to issue a proclamation commemorating its 100th anniversary.
This is a good resolution, it is bipartisan, it should be
noncontroversial; and I urge its adoption.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I too rise in support of this concurrent resolution which recognizes
the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the International
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. It is cosponsored by two
very distinguished Members of this body, on our side of the aisle the
dean of the House, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), and on
the majority side the former chairman of the Committee on Resources and
the current chairman of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young). I commend these
gentlemen for bringing this resolution before us, and I urge its
support.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 419.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was
agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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