[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 57 (Thursday, April 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E585-E586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    SPORTSMEN'S HERITAGE ACT OF 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. DAN BOREN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 17, 2012

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4089) to 
     protect and enhance opportunities for recreational hunting, 
     fishing and shooting:

  Mr. BOREN. Madam Chair, as a Congressman serving on the House 
Committee on Natural Resources and the past Co-Chairman of the 
bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, I support America's 
sportsmen and the acclaimed activities of hunting and recreational 
fishing and shooting through the enactment of H.R. 4089.
  H.R. 4089 is essential to recognizing the importance of and 
facilitating the expansion and enhancement of hunting and recreational 
fishing and shooting. It is a compilation of four different bills (H.R. 
2834, H.R. 3440, H.R. 991 and H.R. 1558) that promote and advance these 
time-honored traditions. The Sportsmen's Heritage Act reaffirms that 
hunting and recreational fishing and shooting are important activities 
by providing a sound legislative foundation for the advancement of 
America's sporting heritage.
  Seventy-five years ago, the conservation community, including 
hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and related industries, 
supported the use of funds from an excise tax on firearms and 
ammunition--along with the dedicated revenue from hunting and fishing 
licenses--to be used exclusively by state fish and wildlife agencies to 
professionally manage fish and wildlife populations and provide access 
for sportsmen and the larger public to enjoy the benefits of this 
management. This funding mechanism was eventually expanded to include 
the fishing and boating communities as well as the archery community. 
Accordingly, these groups produced the American System of Conservation 
Funding: a unique ``user pays--public benefits'' approach. This user-
pays funding strategy has produced numerous public benefits including: 
abundant fish and wildlife populations, access to public lands and 
clean waters, improved fish and wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, 
wetland protection and associated water filtration and flood retention 
functions, improved soil and water conservation, shooting ranges and 
boating access facilities that are available for the

[[Page E586]]

enjoyment of the entirety of the American public--hunters and non-
hunters alike. In addition, sportsmen are an economic powerhouse. They 
directly support jobs, generate billions of dollars in Federal, State 
and local tax revenues, and invigorate the economies of local 
communities by spending their money on travel, lodging, food, sporting 
equipment, and so much more while participating in their sport.
  Hunting and recreational fishing and shooting are the beating heart 
of conservation in the United States. This year marks the 75th 
Anniversary of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program--a 
program supported and made possible by the dollars of our Nation's 
sportsmen. Given the current celebration of the success of this 
program, it seems timely to support our sportsmen by enacting 
legislation that will provide them with more opportunities to 
participate in their sport. We as a legislature must come together--
overcoming partisanship and working collaboratively with our partners 
in the Senate--to promote, advance and protect our Nation's sporting 
heritage. I support our Nation's sportsmen and I urge you to join me in 
supporting H.R. 4089.

                          ____________________