National Hunting and Fishing Day

Floor Speech

NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY -- (House of Representatives - September 24, 2007)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of House Resolution 634, encouraging participation in hunting and fishing activities and supporting the goals and ideals of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

This past weekend Americans all over our great Nation celebrated National Hunting and Fishing Day.

In 1971, Senator Thomas McIntyre of New Hampshire and Representative Bob Sikes of Florida introduced a joint resolution authorizing National Hunting and Fishing Day on the fourth Saturday of September. In 1972, President Richard Nixon signed the first proclamation recognizing National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Thirty-five years later, thousands of events have taken place at hunting clubs and sportsmen's stores nationwide, bringing communities together in a grass-roots effort to promote outdoor activities and conservation.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that we, the United States Congress, should highlight these historic national pastimes by recognizing the contributions that hunters and fishermen have on America's rich culture, and encouraging participation in hunting and fishing as a way to promote family values, environmental conservation, and stewardship of our national resources.

Each year, over 45 million Americans take part in these traditions. Many of these sportsmen and -women live in my district in upstate New York. When I hold a town hall meeting in the Hudson Valley, constituents tell me about the economic impact that these sports bring to our rural communities. I also hear from them about the need for strong conservation policies so that they may continue the tradition of sportsmanship in their families.

Many of the folks that I have had the opportunity to speak with have lived all of their lives in New York's rural communities and view hunting and fishing not only as a pastime, but also a reflection of upstate New York's historic character.

One week from today, turkey season will begin in upstate New York. Every year my mother and brother are among the very first in the woods when the season begins. My mother takes great pride in her ability to shoot a turkey for our Thanksgiving dinner every year.

I now have the honor to represent over a dozen hunting wildlife management areas in three of New York State's environmental conservation regions. Nearly 700,000 New Yorkers participate in hunting and fishing each year and contribute extensively to our local and national economy through licensing, educational courses, and equipment purchases.

The promotion of hunting and fishing activities coincides with environmental stewardship. Hunters and fishermen were among the first to call for policies to protect our environment and, to this day, continue to advocate for land protection and preservation efforts to maintain our wildlife and environment for our future generations.

I want to take this opportunity to encourage all Americans to get into the outdoors and enjoy all that God has provided us.

I thank my colleagues for their support of this important resolution.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source