[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3327]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         COMMEMORATIVE BUCKS OF MICHIGAN SCORES BIG FOR HUNTERS

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                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 14, 2002

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Commemorative 
Bucks of Michigan on the occasion of its 20th anniversary. I am proud 
to have written during my years as a state lawmaker the resolution that 
established Commemorative Bucks as the official record-keeping 
organization for big game hunters in my home state of Michigan. I am 
prouder still to be a member of such an outstanding organization and to 
have one of my hunting achievements included it its record book.
  As a non-profit organization, Commemorative Bucks of Michigan 
collects and maintains records on trophy class Whitetail deer, black 
bear, elk and turkey taken by legal hunting means in the state of 
Michigan. Under the strong leadership of President Richard Wilt and 
previous top officials, Commemorative Bucks has become a premier 
organization in the state for the promotion and advancement of big game 
hunting. In addition to its record books, the organization's official 
publication, ``Buck Fax,'' has become an excellent resource for hunters 
throughout the state.
  The magazine provides a top-notch forum for successful hunters to 
pass on their personal hunting strategies and display their trophies 
with their own pictures. It also provides a guide for young novice 
hunters through information and articles included in ``Buck Tail 
Basics.'' Moreover, in the interest of community service, ``Buck Fax'' 
is mailed free of charge to every high school library in the state and 
to veterans hospitals.
  In addition, both through the magazine and through informational 
events held across the state, Commemorative Bucks plays a vital role as 
an advocate for deer management and the cultivation of wildlife as a 
renewable resource. As all outdoors enthusiasts understand, hunting 
greatly benefits our efforts to sustain wildlife populations and foster 
an environment that will protect our resources for future generations. 
Commemorative Bucks also takes an active role in promoting hunters' 
rights to ensure that the ability to hunt is not infringed upon by 
those who fail to understand the importance of hunting.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Commemorative 
Bucks of Michigan, President Richard Wilt and the entire membership for 
the significant contributions to hunting made by the organization 
during the past 20 years. I am confident Commemorative Bucks will 
continue to honor the achievements of Michigan Hunters and act as an 
advocate for responsible hunting and wildlife management for many years 
to come.

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