Recognizing Richard Taylor ``dick'' Schulze and Robert Lindsay Thomas As Recipients of the Dingell-Young Sportsmen's Legacy Award

Floor Speech

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, I rise today to recognize two individuals that have made significant contributions to our Nation's fish and wildlife conservation efforts, as well as America's longstanding outdoor traditions. These individuals are also the recipients of an award named after members of this body that have made lasting and significant contributions to our Nation's outdoor heritage.

Richard Taylor ``Dick'' Schulze was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to John L. and Grace (Taylor) Schulze in 1929. Schulze attended the University of Houston, Villanova University, and Temple University and served in the United States Army.

Schulze was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1975, where he served for 18 years. As a result of his leadership and understanding of complex policy, Schulze rose to serve as the Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, but his passion always remained with conservation. To satisfy this passion, Schulze also served on the Natural Resources Committee and was a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, two roles that positioned him to be a true leader for sportsmen and women across the country. Recognizing his passion and knowledge of conservation and the outdoors, President George H. W. Bush appointed Schulze to serve on the board of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Robert Lindsay Thomas was born in 1943 in Patterson, Georgia to James and Aline (Jones) Thomas. He attended Gordon Military Academy in Barnesville and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1966. After graduation, Thomas served in the Georgia Air National Guard and was in the 165th Tactical Airlift Group. Prior to his political career, Thomas worked as an investment banker and stockbroker until 1973, when he took over management of Grace Acres Farm in Screven, Georgia. Thomas is the father of three children and still resides in Georgia with his wife.

Thomas served five terms in the United States House of Representatives during the 1980s and early 1990s. Following his political service, Thomas served as the director of state governmental affairs for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games. He also served as the president and chief executive officer of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Thomas also served as a longtime board member of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, serving as Board Chairman from 2010 to 2012. Today, Thomas can be found enjoying the outdoors on his family farm, particularly through fall deer hunting and turkey hunting in the spring.

What makes these two individuals unique amongst the conservation community is that Schulze and Thomas were instrumental in the establishment and development of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, one of the largest bipartisan, bicameral caucuses in the United States Congress. Schulze, a Republican, and Thomas, a Democrat, banded together in support of sportsmen and women and conservation across the country, an issue that recognizes no political labels, to develop one of the most important entities for outdoorsmen and women in the country. Since being established in 1989, the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus has earned a reputation for its bipartisan effectiveness and for its unparalleled ability to advance policies of interest to sportsmen and women. The Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus brings together members with a shared passion for our outdoor traditions to work together to protect and advance hunting, fishing, and professional wildlife management.

Mr. Speaker, as the Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, I am proud to continue the legacy of Mr. Schulze and Mr. Thomas in support of hunters, anglers, trappers, and recreational shooters across the Nation.

In recognition of Schulze and Thomas' leadership in Congress and their innovative commitment to sportsmen and women through the establishment of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, they have been chosen as this year's recipients of the Dingell-Young Sportsmen's Legacy Award by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, a well- deserved recognition to individuals who have shown such dedication to their country and to America's outdoor heritage.

Named in recognition of the Dingell family--Congressmen John D. Dingell, Sr. and John D. Dingell, Jr.--and the late Congressman Don Young, the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation created the Dingell- Young Sportsmen's Legacy Award to recognize the extraordinary individual and collaborative leadership of the Dingell family and Congressman Young, and their long-standing dedication to the advancement of conservation policy and our outdoor hunting and angling traditions. Like them, Schulze and Thomas' contributions to our outdoor traditions relied upon a unique commitment to bipartisan collaboration and a shared passion for hunting, fishing, and conservation. With their shared dedication and the vital role they played in establishing the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, the Dingell-Young Sportsmen's Legacy Award is a fitting tribute for Schulze and Thomas.

I want to thank these innovative leaders for their contributions and dedication to America's outdoor heritage and for founding the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, something that I am truly proud to lead today in a bipartisan fashion, just as Mr. Schulze and Mr. Thomas envisioned. I would like to congratulate them for the well-deserved recognition as the recipients of the Dingell-Young Sportsmen's Legacy Award, the top award offered by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation.

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