[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 142 (Monday, September 24, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H10701-H10702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[[Page H10701]]
NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 634) encouraging participation in hunting and
fishing, and supporting the goals and ideals of National Hunting and
Fishing Day and the efforts of hunters and fishermen toward the
scientific management of wildlife and conservation of the natural
environment, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 634
Whereas, since the beginning of the 20th century, hunters
and fishermen of the United States have been among the most
vocal supporters of the scientific management of wildlife and
conservation of the natural environment;
Whereas President Theodore Roosevelt, who was himself a
hunter, fisherman, and conservationist, called throughout his
Presidency for laws to promote wildlife conservation and to
provide lands for recreation;
Whereas, in June 1971, Senator Thomas McIntyre of New
Hampshire and Representative Robert Sikes of Florida
sponsored a joint resolution calling for the celebration of
``National Hunting and Fishing Day'' on the fourth Saturday
of every September;
Whereas, in 2006, an estimated 42,500,000 individuals in
the United States participated in hunting or fishing
activities;
Whereas, in 2006, hunters and fishermen made a significant
contribution to the economy of the United States by spending
nearly $75,000,000,000 on hunting and fishing activities;
Whereas hunters and fishermen recognize the importance of
natural resources to the character, heritage, and future of
the United States, and work to protect and conserve those
resources; and
Whereas the fourth Saturday of September would be an
appropriate day to as celebrate National Hunting and Fishing
Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That--
(1) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--
(A) there should be established a day known as National
Hunting and Fishing Day; and
(B) the President should issue a proclamation calling on
the people of the United States to observe such a day with
appropriate programs and activities; and
(2) the House of Representatives--
(A) encourages participation in hunting and fishing; and
(B) commends the contributions of hunters and fishermen
toward the scientific management of wildlife and conservation
of the natural environment.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Saxton) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from West Virginia.
General Leave
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the bill, as amended, under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from West Virginia?
There was no objection.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
House Resolution 634, as amended, recognizes the contributions that
American sportsmen and -women make in promoting wildlife conservation.
The resolution calls on the President to issue a proclamation
supporting National Hunting and Fishing Day.
There are an estimated 42.5 million Americans who hunt and fish,
according to the most recent survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service. Aside from supporting efforts to protect our natural
environment, these men and women also contribute to our economy. They
spent $75 billion in 2006 on hunting and fishing activities.
I commend Congresswoman Gillibrand from New York for introducing this
resolution, and I urge adoption of the resolution, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
First, let me thank and commend the gentleman from West Virginia for
expeditiously bringing this bill to the floor. I rise in strong support
of H. Res. 634, urging the establishment of a National Hunting and
Fishing Day.
Since the founding of our Republic more than 230 years ago, hunting
and fishing have been woven into the very fabric of our cultural
heritage. There is no question that sportsmen are among the foremost
supporters of sound wildlife management and the conservation of our
natural resources.
In fact, without the billions of dollars that have been paid by
sportsmen in excise taxes and duck stamp fees, it is likely that
President Theodore Roosevelt's vision of a national wildlife refuge
system would never have been achieved. Today, that system is comprised
of more than 96 million acres, and more than 90 percent of those
Federal lands are open to the 42 million Americans who hunt and fish.
It is appropriate that we designate a National Hunting and Fishing
Day and that we celebrate on October 9, the 10th anniversary of the
National Wildlife Improvement Act of 1997. This historic law, sponsored
by the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) and myself, has the
fundamental purpose of working to ensure that the American people have
the finest refuge system in the world and the ability to hunt and fish
on lands they largely purchased with their hard-earned dollars. It is
achieving that goal that I believe is very, very important.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the
gentlelady from New York (Mrs. Gillibrand).
Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of House
Resolution 634, encouraging participation in hunting and fishing
activities and supporting the goals and ideals of National Hunting and
Fishing Day.
This past weekend Americans all over our great Nation celebrated
National Hunting and Fishing Day.
In 1971, Senator Thomas McIntyre of New Hampshire and Representative
Bob Sikes of Florida introduced a joint resolution authorizing National
Hunting and Fishing Day on the fourth Saturday of September. In 1972,
President Richard Nixon signed the first proclamation recognizing
National Hunting and Fishing Day.
Thirty-five years later, thousands of events have taken place at
hunting clubs and sportsmen's stores nationwide, bringing communities
together in a grass-roots effort to promote outdoor activities and
conservation.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that we, the United States Congress, should
highlight these historic national pastimes by recognizing the
contributions that hunters and fishermen have on America's rich
culture, and encouraging participation in hunting and fishing as a way
to promote family values, environmental conservation, and stewardship
of our national resources.
Each year, over 45 million Americans take part in these traditions.
Many of these sportsmen and -women live in my district in upstate New
York. When I hold a town hall meeting in the Hudson Valley,
constituents tell me about the economic impact that these sports bring
to our rural communities. I also hear from them about the need for
strong conservation policies so that they may continue the tradition of
sportsmanship in their families.
Many of the folks that I have had the opportunity to speak with have
lived all of their lives in New York's rural communities and view
hunting and fishing not only as a pastime, but also a reflection of
upstate New York's historic character.
One week from today, turkey season will begin in upstate New York.
Every year my mother and brother are among the very first in the woods
when the season begins. My mother takes great pride in her ability to
shoot a turkey for our Thanksgiving dinner every year.
I now have the honor to represent over a dozen hunting wildlife
management areas in three of New York State's environmental
conservation regions. Nearly 700,000 New Yorkers participate in hunting
and fishing each year and contribute extensively to our local and
national economy through licensing, educational courses, and equipment
purchases.
The promotion of hunting and fishing activities coincides with
environmental stewardship. Hunters and fishermen were among the first
to call for policies to protect our environment and, to this day,
continue to advocate for land protection and preservation efforts to
maintain our wildlife and environment for our future generations.
[[Page H10702]]
I want to take this opportunity to encourage all Americans to get
into the outdoors and enjoy all that God has provided us.
I thank my colleagues for their support of this important resolution.
Mr. RAHALL. 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 West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 634, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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