Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment that recognizes and supports the important role of fish hatcheries nationwide. Before I get to the amendment, I want to thank you, Mr. Calvert, for the hard work of the committee and your recognition of the importance of fish hatcheries already there. I also want to thank my friend from Arkansas (Mr. Crawford) for cosponsoring this amendment. My amendment prohibits funds in the bill from being used to reduce or terminate any of the existing propagation programs listed in the March 2013 National Fish Hatchery System Strategic Hatchery and Workforce Planning Report. This report raised serious concerns that the Fish and Wildlife Service view hatcheries, and particularly mitigation hatcheries, as a low priority program. Personally, I believe that stocking the tailwaters, streams, lakes, and rivers of America should be a higher priority. Hatcheries provide an important service, including providing our Nation's anglers with the recreational enjoyment and opportunities to catch fish; and they can be particularly vital to economic growth in rural areas, including northeast Georgia. The importance of our Nation's hatcheries is obvious when you look at the Chattahoochee National Forest Fish Hatchery. This hatchery is located back home in Georgia's Ninth Congressional District.…”