[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 13, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING RICHARD TAYLOR ``DICK'' SCHULZE AND ROBERT LINDSAY THOMAS 
      AS RECIPIENTS OF THE DINGELL-YOUNG SPORTSMEN'S LEGACY AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRUCE WESTERMAN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 2023

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, as Co-Chair of the Congressional 
Sportsmen's Caucus, I rise today to recognize two individuals that have 
made significant contributions to our Nation's fish and wildlife 
conservation efforts, as well as America's longstanding outdoor 
traditions. These individuals are also the recipients of an award named 
after members of this body that have made lasting and significant 
contributions to our Nation's outdoor heritage.
  Richard Taylor ``Dick'' Schulze was born in Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania to John L. and Grace (Taylor) Schulze in 1929. Schulze 
attended the University of Houston, Villanova University, and Temple 
University and served in the United States Army.
  Schulze was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 
1975, where he served for 18 years. As a result of his leadership and 
understanding of complex policy, Schulze rose to serve as the Ranking 
Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, but his passion always 
remained with conservation. To satisfy this passion, Schulze also 
served on the Natural Resources Committee and was a member of the 
Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, two roles that positioned him 
to be a true leader for sportsmen and women across the country. 
Recognizing his passion and knowledge of conservation and the outdoors, 
President George H. W. Bush appointed Schulze to serve on the board of 
the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
  Robert Lindsay Thomas was born in 1943 in Patterson, Georgia to James 
and Aline (Jones) Thomas. He attended Gordon Military Academy in 
Barnesville and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1966. After 
graduation, Thomas served in the Georgia Air National Guard and was in 
the 165th Tactical Airlift Group. Prior to his political career, Thomas 
worked as an investment banker and stockbroker until 1973, when he took 
over management of Grace Acres Farm in Screven, Georgia. Thomas is the 
father of three children and still resides in Georgia with his wife.
  Thomas served five terms in the United States House of 
Representatives during the 1980s and early 1990s. Following his 
political service, Thomas served as the director of state governmental 
affairs for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games. He also served 
as the president and chief executive officer of the Georgia Chamber of 
Commerce. Thomas also served as a longtime board member of the 
Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, serving as Board Chairman from 
2010 to 2012. Today, Thomas can be found enjoying the outdoors on his 
family farm, particularly through fall deer hunting and turkey hunting 
in the spring.
  What makes these two individuals unique amongst the conservation 
community is that Schulze and Thomas were instrumental in the 
establishment and development of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, 
one of the largest bipartisan, bicameral caucuses in the United States 
Congress. Schulze, a Republican, and Thomas, a Democrat, banded 
together in support of sportsmen and women and conservation across the 
country, an issue that recognizes no political labels, to develop one 
of the most important entities for outdoorsmen and women in the 
country. Since being established in 1989, the Congressional Sportsmen's 
Caucus has earned a reputation for its bipartisan effectiveness and for 
its unparalleled ability to advance policies of interest to sportsmen 
and women. The Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus brings together members 
with a shared passion for our outdoor traditions to work together to 
protect and advance hunting, fishing, and professional wildlife 
management.
  Mr. Speaker, as the Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, 
I am proud to continue the legacy of Mr. Schulze and Mr. Thomas in 
support of hunters, anglers, trappers, and recreational shooters across 
the Nation.
  In recognition of Schulze and Thomas' leadership in Congress and 
their innovative commitment to sportsmen and women through the 
establishment of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, they have been 
chosen as this year's recipients of the Dingell-Young Sportsmen's 
Legacy Award by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, a well-
deserved recognition to individuals who have shown such dedication to 
their country and to America's outdoor heritage.
  Named in recognition of the Dingell family--Congressmen John D. 
Dingell, Sr. and John D. Dingell, Jr.--and the late Congressman Don 
Young, the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation created the Dingell-
Young Sportsmen's Legacy Award to recognize the extraordinary 
individual and collaborative leadership of the Dingell family and 
Congressman Young, and their long-standing dedication to the 
advancement of conservation policy and our outdoor hunting and angling 
traditions. Like them, Schulze and Thomas' contributions to our outdoor 
traditions relied upon a unique commitment to bipartisan collaboration 
and a shared passion for hunting, fishing, and conservation. With their 
shared dedication and the vital role they played in establishing the 
Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, the Dingell-Young Sportsmen's Legacy 
Award is a fitting tribute for Schulze and Thomas.
  I want to thank these innovative leaders for their contributions and 
dedication to America's outdoor heritage and for founding the 
Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, something that I am truly proud to 
lead today in a bipartisan fashion, just as Mr. Schulze and Mr. Thomas 
envisioned. I would like to congratulate them for the well-deserved 
recognition as the recipients of the Dingell-Young Sportsmen's Legacy 
Award, the top award offered by the Congressional Sportsmen's 
Foundation.

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