[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 25244-25246]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING ALL HUNTERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES FOR THEIR CONTINUED 
                          COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 193) recognizing all 
hunters across the United States for their continued commitment to 
safety.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

[[Page 25245]]



                            H. Con. Res. 193

       Whereas in 2006 there were over 16,000,000 hunters in the 
     United States of which only .0013 percent incurred an injury 
     during the past hunting season;
       Whereas in 2006 this injury rate was lower than many other 
     forms of recreation;
       Whereas there are 70,000 hunter education instructors 
     teaching hunter safety, ethics, and conservation to 
     approximately 750,000 students successfully each year;
       Whereas State fish and game agencies began offering hunter 
     safety programs in 1949, and since then, more than 35,000,000 
     people have been certified;
       Whereas much of the success of hunter safety can be 
     contributed to hunter education training and the role of 
     responsible hunters in the field;
       Whereas Congress commends Pennsylvania hunters for setting 
     a new State safety record in 2006;
       Whereas hunters continue year after year to improve their 
     safety record; and
       Whereas hunters are the vital link in preserving and 
     maintaining the great natural resources in the United States, 
     including wild places: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That the Congress--
       (1) recognizes all hunters across the United States for 
     their continued commitment to safety; and
       (2) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy 
     of this resolution to the Pennsylvania State Game 
     Commissioner and the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
     Service.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House 
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my 
colleagues in the consideration of H. Con. Res. 193, a bill recognizing 
all hunters across the United States for their continued commitment to 
safety.
  H. Con. Res. 193, which has 91 cosponsors, was introduced by 
Representative Christopher Carney on July 26, 2007. H. Con. Res. 193 
was reported from the Oversight Committee on September 20, 2007 by a 
voice vote.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield to Representative Carney as much 
time as he would consume as the sponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a bipartisan 
resolution that honors our hunters for their commitment to safety. I 
want to particularly acknowledge the significant bipartisan support 
from the members of the Pennsylvania delegation, a great number of whom 
have signed on this bill.
  This resolution honors our hunters for their commitment to safety and 
stewardship of the environment. Hunting is a beloved tradition. It is 
something I enjoyed both with my father, when I was growing up, and now 
with my own children.
  But as any avid sportsman knows, hunters must have a commitment to 
safety. We recognize that this sport requires maturity and 
responsibility. In 2006, there were over 16 million hunters in the 
United States, of which only .0013 percent incurred an injury. This low 
injury rate demonstrates a clear commitment to safety. In fact, in 
2006, hunters in Pennsylvania set a safety record, and for this I 
commend them.
  State fish and game agencies have been offering hunter safety 
programs started in 1949, and since then more than 35 million people 
have been certified. That is why I introduced this resolution.
  I want to thank hunters for their commitment to safety, and honor 
those who teach hunting safety. Hunters have shown that they can 
proudly represent the sport and put safety first, and that is something 
that I am proud to support.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  House Concurrent Resolution 193 recognizes all hunters for their 
continued commitment to safety and to increase awareness of the 
organizations and programs dedicated to hunting education and safety 
activities. There are currently 16 million hunters in the U.S., of 
which less than 1 percent incurred an injury during the last hunting 
season. Continued education on hunting safety will ensure lower injury 
rates for future hunting seasons. The success of these programs has 
allowed more than 35 million hunters to obtain certification. 
Fortunately, we can continue to see high safety records with 
responsible and safe hunters who are well educated on hunting safety.
  I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 193.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  Mr. Speaker, in 2006 there were over 16 million hunters in the United 
States, of which only .0013 percent incurred an injury during the past 
hunting season. To ensure and raise awareness for hunter safety, there 
are 70,000 hunter education instructors teaching hunter safety, ethics 
and conservation to approximately 750,000 students successfully each 
year.
  Hunter safety can be contributed to hunter education training and the 
role of responsible hunters in the field. This helps to lower the 
incidence of hunting accidents, improve hunter behavior and restore 
many species of wildlife abundance.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Christopher 
Carney, for introducing this legislation, and urge swift passage of 
this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to vote for 
this resolution, and yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
this resolution recognizing hunters across the United States for their 
continued commitment to safety. Since State fish and game agencies 
began offering hunter safety programs in 1949, more than 35 million 
Americans have been certified through these programs.
  Thanks to hunter education, hunting is safe and getting safer. Hunter 
education covers the skills, regulations and responsibilities of 
hunting, wildlife conservation and the outdoors. In my home State of 
Texas, mandatory hunter education became law in 1988. Texas Parks and 
Wildlife Department began offering voluntary hunter education courses 
long before that, however, in 1972, and has certified over 650,000 
Texans. Every year, over 30,000 youth and adults in Texas become 
certified in hunter education.
  Firearms-related accidents have declined sharply even as gun 
ownership in America is rising. More than half of all households now 
own firearms, yet accidental fatalities are at an all-time low--down 60 
percent over the last 20 years. For decades, the firearms industry has 
emphasized education to ensure the safe and responsible use of its 
products. This effort and those by other organizations are why the 
shooting sports and hunting are rated among the safest forms of 
recreation. Some 40 million people of all ages safely participate in 
these activities.
  I would also like to point out that in June, during the annual 
meeting of the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA), Heidi 
Rao of Houston was named Professional of the Year for providing 
outstanding service to IHEA and its mission. A hunter education 
training specialist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department since 
1998, Mrs. Rao trains the general public to comply with the mandatory 
hunter education programs in southeast Texas. She also trains adults in 
hunter education programs, policies, and procedures and the general 
public in hunting safety and legal practices.
  Again, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution 
commending hunters for their continued commitment to safety.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 193.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.

[[Page 25246]]


  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________