[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 10, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S4766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

              RECOGNIZING THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

 Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the 30th 
anniversary of the Outdoor Industry Association, OIA. Based in Boulder, 
CO, OIA is the leading trade organization of the outdoor recreation 
gear and apparel industry.
  Founded by a group of 14 brands and specialty retailers, OIA has 
grown to include 1,300 companies that are the backbone of an $887 
billion outdoor recreation economy supporting 7.6 million jobs across 
the United States. For the past three decades, OIA has represented 
American businesses and individuals whose vocations and avocations are 
connected to this Nation's best idea: our public lands and waters. OIA 
is motivated by a shared commitment to protecting, maintaining, and 
expanding outdoor recreation infrastructure and ensuring every person 
in the United States has equitable access to nature.
  From its earliest days, OIA has partnered with conservation 
organizations to advocate for our public land and water. OIA helped to 
permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and they 
continue to press for full funding. They have also supported wildfire 
funding legislation, rails-to-trails, and similar transportation 
infrastructure programs and continue to work toward responsible climate 
and energy policy. The organization also produces outdoor recreation 
economy report that highlights the influence of the outdoor recreation 
sector on the national economy, including statistics on consumer 
spending, tax revenue, and job creation. This report is an incredible 
resource for lawmakers, land managers, and local planners. As a result, 
over the past half decade and following Colorado's leadership, States 
have created State offices of outdoor recreation to ensure that 
government leaders and business leaders are working together to grow 
their recreation economies.
  I am honored to continue to work with OIA to protect our public land 
and water. Earlier this year, OIA announced their support for the 
Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act, S. 241/H.R. 823, our bill 
to protect 400,000 acres of public land in Colorado while safeguarding 
existing outdoor recreation opportunities. OIA stated that they are 
``one hundred percent in support of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and 
Economy Act because it would protect nearly half a million acres of 
public lands across Colorado and support the state's $28 billion 
outdoor recreation economy while honoring its history in protecting 
Camp Hale, the origin of the 10th mountain division during WWII.'' I 
appreciate OIA's support for conserving public land in Colorado.
  OIA members exemplify the collaborative and altruistic stewardship at 
the heart of the outdoor recreation industry. For that, I congratulate 
OIA on this 30-year anniversary and thank them for their contributions 
to our American outdoor heritage.

                          ____________________