[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 81 (Thursday, May 17, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H4163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRESSIONAL SPORTSMEN'S CAUCUS

  (Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the 
chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, and it is the largest 
bipartisan and bicameral caucus in the United States Congress.
  Every year we have an annual congressional shootout, which consists 
of sporting clays, trap, and skeet shotgunning, and it is a competition 
between Republican Members of Congress who are members of the 
Sportsmen's Caucus and Democratic Members of Congress who are members 
of the Sportsmen's Caucus.
  This year, we had 28 shooters, and I am pleased to say that the 
Republican team once again retained the trophy for another year.
  We also had some individual competitions going on, and I would like 
to recognize those Members of Congress.
  The Top Gun Member of Congress this year goes to Representative  John 
Rutherford from Florida. Now, Mr. Speaker, this was his first time at 
this event, and he had the second highest score for a Member of 
Congress since the year 2010. He shot 61 out of a total possible 75.
  We also had a Top Gun Republican Member, Richard Hudson from North 
Carolina.
  We had a Top Gun Democrat. That was Representative  Mike Thompson 
from California, who always shoots well. I like shooting against him.
  Of course, I won the Top Skeet Award. Duncan Hunter from California 
won the Top Trap, and the Top Sporting Clays was Representative Austin 
Scott, who is also the co-vice chair on the Republican side for the 
Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus.
  Now, the caucus is made up of two chairmen, one Republican and one 
Democrat, and two co-vice chairmen, one Republican and one Democrat. I 
would like to take this opportunity to yield to the co-chairman, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al Green).
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we only had four Democrats 
shooting. Somewhere along the way, we have to do better recruitment. 
You and I both know we are term limited as co-chairs, and my 
replacement next year will be another Texan.
  Where is my Texan?
  Okay. Congressman Mark Veasey, and I know he shot better than I did, 
so maybe he will improve our lot next time. It is a lot of fun, the 
camaraderie is great, and I just am honored to have that time to be the 
vice chair, now the co-chair of it, and so thank you.
  Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the 
gentleman from Texas, and I want to invite all Members of Congress to 
join the Sportsmen's Caucus. It is not just about hunting and fishing. 
It is about access to outdoor property that we own as taxpayers. Public 
access is important. It is about trapping. It is about a lot of other 
outdoor activities that we can take advantage of.
  The sporting clay competition that we had is open to all Members, 
from beginner to expert. Come out and enjoy the day next year about 
this same time, and enjoy a day out in Maryland at the Prince George's 
Trap and Skeet Center gun range club. It is a great afternoon.
  Mr. Speaker, this trophy will reside in my office, 2229 Rayburn House 
Office Building if anybody wants to come by and admire it. It will have 
a new plaque saying the Republicans won the 2018 competition.

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