Jeff Fortenberry: “I thank the gentleman for yielding, as well as Mr. DeFazio for his leadership on this bill. Mr. Speaker, the Recovering…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding, as well as Mr. DeFazio for his leadership on this bill. Mr. Speaker, the Recovering America's Wildlife Act, I believe, is the single most exciting policy development in the conservation space in decades. As an amendment to today's bill, we are doing three things here: We are protecting ecosystems; we are enhancing community; and we are supporting recreation. I also add my thanks to Representative Debbie Dingell, who has been a tremendous leader in this particular effort, as well as Jamie Raskin, the Congressman from Maryland, for joining us. Mr. Speaker, most Americans don't know that the Federal Government requires that States do wildlife management planning. This amendment funds that Federal mandate in a more creative fashion, by connecting resource extraction with prudent resource recovery, to help States improve their plans and create a continuity of habitat for multiuse opportunities within communities. That is why we have such a diverse group of persons supporting this bill: Hunters and anglers and birders and hikers and other wildlife enthusiasts, as well as those who are involved in the burgeoning field of ecotourism. Mr. Speaker, here is another benefit. When something goes wrong, of course, we tend to act. And in this regard, we act through a very important law called the Endangered Species Act.…”