[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 124, 111th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8567--SEPT. 24, 2010

Proclamation 8567 of September 24, 2010
National Hunting and Fishing Day, 2010
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

As Americans, the bond we have with our land is traceable to our
earliest ancestors and etched into the character of our Nation. From the
rocky shoals of New England to the rugged mountains of the West, the
natural beauty and great diversity of our open spaces draw millions to
the outdoors every year for sport, play, and relaxation. On National
Hunting and Fishing Day, we recognize the Americans who engage in these
timeless pursuits, and we reaffirm our commitment to conserving our
native lands, waters, and wildlife for generations to come.
Like President Theodore Roosevelt--an enthusiastic hunter and a great
conservationist--hunters and anglers value stewardship, often leading
efforts to ensure the protection of our Nation's wildlife, habitats, and
waterways. President Roosevelt understood that conservation was
essential to preserving our hunting and fishing heritage, and during his
Presidency established the first units of the National Wildlife Refuge
System to sustain the outdoor traditions many Americans enjoy today. We
recognize, as President Roosevelt did over a century ago, that we must
champion the conservation of our lands, and those who know

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them well--the individuals who hunt and fish--must endeavor to be their
consummate guardians.
Conservation takes on even greater importance today as our lands,
waters, and wildlife face threats from global climate change, loss of
habitats, and environmental disasters. The abundance of our wilderness
is not limitless and needs protection and restoration. To ensure
America's wild spaces remain healthy and accessible for all to enjoy,
outdoorsmen and women can continue to participate in innovative programs
such as the Federal Duck Stamp Program to protect and restore our
natural legacy. This includes rebuilding and safeguarding our fragile
Gulf ecosystem, where the unique and beautiful bounty of waterfowl,
fish, and other game confront exceptional hardships.
Following in the footsteps of President Roosevelt and other
conservationists, my Administration is dedicated to fostering a national
conversation about 21st-century conservation that embraces a broad
coalition of Americans, including hunters and anglers. Through my
America's Great Outdoors Initiative, we have heard from sportsmen and
women across our country about the value of hunting and fishing, the
challenges to wildlife conservation, and how the Federal Government can
be a better partner for conservation. My Administration established the
Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council to enlist the efforts
of the sporting community, wildlife conservation organizations, States,
and Native American tribes to uphold our Nation's wildlife heritage and
to meet the conservation challenges of our time. We added over 4 million
acres to the Conservation Reserve Program this year to provide important
wildlife habitats, and we have taken specific steps to benefit gamebirds
in this program. In addition, we are providing millions of dollars to
the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, a new effort
to encourage hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities on
privately owned land.
Our ability to enjoy our land and wildlife today is a tribute to the
character of conservationists who have come before us. On National
Hunting and Fishing Day, we celebrate the time-honored traditions of
hunting and fishing, as well as the preservation of America's vast
natural resources, as we seek to protect them for centuries to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 25, 2010, as
National Hunting and Fishing Day. I call upon all Americans to observe
this day with appropriate programs and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day
of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
fifth.
BARACK OBAMA