[House Report 107-598]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



107th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session                                                     107-598

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 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF 
                       FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES

                                _______
                                

   July 22, 2002.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be 
                                printed

                                _______
                                

  Mr. Hansen, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                    [To accompany H. Con. Res. 419]

    The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 419) requesting the 
President to issue a proclamation in observance of the 100th 
Anniversary of the founding of the International Association of 
Fish and Wildlife Agencies, having considered the same, report 
favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the 
concurrent resolution be agreed to.

                          PURPOSE OF THE BILL

    The purpose of H. Con. Res. 419 is to request the President 
to issue a proclamation in observance of the 100th Anniversary 
of the founding of the International Association of Fish and 
Wildlife Agencies.

                  BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

    The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 
was founded on September 17, 1902 in West Yellowstone, Montana 
as an organization of public agencies charged with the 
protection and management of North America's fish and wildlife 
resources. The Association's governmental members include the 
fish and wildlife agencies of all 50 States, the territories, 
the provincial fish and wildlife agencies of Canada and the 
federal natural resource agency of Mexico.
    The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 
(IAFWA) represents the interests of our States in fish and 
wildlife management as well as the professional fish and 
wildlife biologists in the U.S. It maintains 36 committees 
composed of nearly 700 professionals from the U.S., Canada and 
Mexico who monitor and advise on issues ranging from acid rain 
and pesticides to exotic animals, public lands, migratory 
wildlife and wetlands.
    The Association also participates in fish and wildlife 
management issues in Washington, D.C. by advising, testifying, 
and developing legislation and by addressing threats to fish 
and wildlife management in North America. Some of the fish and 
wildlife statutes that the IAFWA has been involved include the 
Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife 
Restoration Act, the Dingell-Johnson Sportfish Restoration Act, 
all farm bills enacted since 1985, the National Wildlife Refuge 
System Improvement Act and the Fish and Wildlife Programs 
Improvement and National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial Act. 
The IAFWA provides state fish and wildlife agencies with legal 
counsel, national surveys in conjunction with Canada and Mexico 
to track conservation trends, and program assistance in such 
areas as hunter education, shooting sports, aquatic education, 
proactive strategies and professional development.
    According to the resolution, the International Association 
of Fish and Wildlife Agencies continues to promote the 
sustainable use of natural resources; it encourages cooperation 
and coordination of fish and wildlife conservation at all 
levels of government; it encourages the professional management 
of fish and wildlife and fosters public understanding of the 
need for conservation.

                            COMMITTEE ACTION

    H. Con. Res. 419 was introduced on June 13, 2002, by 
Congressmen Don Young (R-AK) and John D. Dingell (D-MI). The 
resolution was referred to the Committee on Resources, and 
within the Committee to the Subcommittee on Fisheries 
Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans. On June 27, 2002, the 
Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans met 
to mark up the resolution. No amendments were offered and the 
resolution was ordered favorably reported to the Full Committee 
by unanimous consent. On July 10, 2002, the ResourcesCommittee 
met to consider the bill. No amendments were offered and the resolution 
was ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by 
unanimous consent.

            COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

    Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee on Resources' oversight findings and recommendations 
are reflected in the body of this report.

                   CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

    Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United 
States grants Congress the authority to enact this bill.

                    COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

    1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the 
Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and 
a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be 
incurred in carrying out this bill. The Committee has 
determined that this House Concurrent Resolution entails no 
costs to the federal government.
    2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2) 
of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 
section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this 
bill does not contain any new budget authority, spending 
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in 
revenues or tax expenditures.
    3. Government Reform Oversight Findings. Under clause 
3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives, the Committee has received no report of 
oversight findings and recommendations from the Committee on 
Government Reform on this bill.
    4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. The Committee 
has determined that H. Con. Res. 419 entails no cost to the 
federal government and therefore, no cost estimate was 
requested from the Congressional Budget Office.

                    COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104-4

    This bill contains no unfunded mandates.

                PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL LAW

    This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or 
tribal law.

                        CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

    If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing 
law.

                                
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