[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 82 (Thursday, June 5, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S7495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CHAMBLISS (for himself and Mr. Miller):
  S. 1204. A bill to recognize the heritage of hunting and provide 
opportunities for continued hunting on Federal public land; to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Hunting 
Heritage Protection Act. With the introduction of this important 
legislation, we are able to acknowledge our Nation's rich heritage of 
hunting. The purpose of this bill is to pass that legacy on to future 
generations by protecting and preserving the rights of our Nation's 
sportsmen and women.
  In 2001 over 13 million Americans contributed over $20.6 billion to 
the U.S. economy while hunting--a true recreational activity. Many 
believe that in order to hunt you must own land, but that is not true. 
I believe that hunting should be available as a recreational activity 
for everyone.
  I have been an avid outdoor sportsman since my early adulthood. I am 
also an avid conservationist, like most other hunters. Mr. President, 
recreational hunting provides many opportunities to spend valuable time 
with children, just as I do with my son. He has been hunting since he 
was a young boy where he discovered and learned to appreciate one of 
the Earth's greatest treasures, nature.
  Over the years, hunters have contributed billions of dollars to 
wildlife conservation, by purchasing licenses, permits, and stamps, as 
well as paying excise taxes on goods used by hunters. Since the time of 
President Teddy Roosevelt, father of the conservation movement, 
sportsmen and women have been and will continue to be some of the 
greatest supporters of sound wildlife management and conservation 
practices in the U.S.
  Hunters need to be recognized for the vital role they play in 
conservation in this country. The Hunting Heritage Protection Act will 
do just that. This bill formalizes a policy by which the Federal 
Government will support, promote, and enhance recreational hunting 
opportunities, as permitted under State and Federal law. Further, the 
bill mandates that Federal public land and water are to be open to 
access and use for recreational hunting where and when appropriate. I 
should clarify and stress that this bill does not suggest that we open 
all national parks to hunting. As I mentioned, the goal is simple--I 
want recreational hunting on our public land to be available to the 
citizens of this country where and when appropriate.
  It is crucial that the tradition of hunting is protected and that the 
valuable contributions that hunters have made to conservation in this 
country are recognized. And, we want to ensure that Federal land 
management decisions and their actions result in a `no net loss of 
hunting opportunities'' on our public lands. This bill allows Congress 
to address this issue and to honor our Nation's sportsmen and women.
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