[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 146 (Monday, September 11, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S4352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO LAND TAWNEY

 Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a great 
Montanan, and a national champion for our access to public lands.
  For his entire life, Land Tawney has fought to ensure that every 
Montanan and every American is able to experience the joys that our 
rivers, streams, and public lands have to offer. For the last 10 years 
he has led this charge from the helm of Backcountry Hunters and 
Anglers, an organization that was once volunteer based and local, but 
is now a leading advocacy group for hunters and anglers in 48 States 
and two Canadian provinces. But unfortunately for us, Land recently 
announced that he will be leaving Backcountry Hunters and Anglers for 
greener pastures and wider trails.
  While I am sure that we haven't heard the last of Land Tawney he will 
certainly be missed by many Montanans and sportsmen and women across 
the Nation. In his tenure as president and CEO, Land was able to grow 
BHA to a community with more than half a million members. He played a 
key role in helping pass my Great American Outdoors Act and permanently 
reauthorizing and fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
  I am proud to call Land a friend, but more importantly, I am proud of 
the things we have accomplished in Congress with the support of Land 
and the BHA. He is a fierce advocate for preserving access. He is a 
builder of broad coalitions. And he is someone that you always want on 
your team.
  I am going to miss Land at BHA, but I am looking forward to seeing 
what is next.
  Thank you, Land.

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