On the recordApril 17, 2012
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Madam Chair, I rise in support of the Sportsmen's Heritage Act of 2012. I have lived in rural America my entire life, where hunting, fishing, and sport shooting are more than just hobbies--they are a way of life. Unfortunately, in Arizona, where the Federal Government administers nearly 50 percent of our land, recreational activities are being restricted by ill-advised land management decisions. BLM has shut down nearly 72,000 acres in Agua Fria and is targeting 600,000 more at the Sonoran Desert and the Ironwood Forest National Monument. The bill we are considering today removes government roadblocks to these activities and guards against new regulations that threaten to block or limit access to hunting and fishing. Our way of life should not be infringed upon because of the prejudices of bureaucrats who do not understand the lifestyles of sportsmen in rural America. I urge my colleagues to protect jobs, economic growth, and the traditional right of American sportsmen to hunt and fish. Vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4089, the Sportsmen's Heritage Act.
