[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13781]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE NATCHITOCHES NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY

 Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, today I also wish to acknowledge 
the Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery. This year, they will celebrate 
their 75th anniversary, and I wish to take a few moments to highlight 
their contributions to Louisiana.
  As the only Federal fish hatchery in Louisiana, the Natchitoches 
station has steadily served the needs of the region. Founded in 1931, 
the Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery was originally established to 
provide recreation and food for the public during the depression and 
war eras.
  Today the hatchery dedicates itself to the restoration of depleted 
species, recovery of threatened or endangered fish, and management of 
interjurisdictional fisheries. Over the years, the Natchitoches 
National Fish Hatchery has been involved with raising 16 species of 
fish and has stocked more than 164 million fish. The station has been 
an invaluable resource to Louisiana's wildlife and fisheries.
  Federal fish hatcheries have been an important part of our Nation's 
resource management efforts for more than a century. Resource managers 
nationwide acknowledge hatcheries as a valuable tool for the 
preservation of our Nation's fisheries resources. Because of the 
importance of fisheries to Louisiana, the significance of the 
Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery can not be overstated.
  Today, I applaud the Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery on their 
75th anniversary and wish them continued prosperity.

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