[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 176 (Wednesday, October 25, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION

  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today, along with my colleague Tim 
Scott of South Carolina, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 
National Wild Turkey Federation and to recognize the organization's 
significant contributions to research, habitat conservation, as well as 
its promotion and protection of the long-honored outdoor traditions of 
the United States.
  The National Wild Turkey Federation was incorporated on March 28, 
1973, with the aim of bringing together State, Federal, and 
nongovernmental partners to promote the conservation of wild turkeys. 
Edgefield, SC, is proud to house the organization's national 
headquarters, and both the State and Nation continue to benefit from 
their stewardship.
  Since 1985, the National Wild Turkey Federation, its members, and 
chapters have invested more than $500,000,000 to conserve or enhance 
more than 22,000,000 acres of critical wildlife habitat, forests, and 
grasslands, as well as more than $8,500,000 in research to ensure a 
healthy wild turkey population. In addition, the organization is a 
long-standing Stewardship partner with the U.S. Forest Service and is 
heavily engaged in the development and implementation of the Department 
of Agriculture's Wildfire Crisis Strategy. These efforts have played a 
significant role in one of the greatest conservation success stories in 
the United States: the return of the wild turkey from the brink of 
extinction.
  I ask that you and our colleagues join me in celebrating the 50th 
anniversary of the National Wild Turkey Federation and wish the 
organization and its members continued success in fulfilling their 
mission.

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