Political Quotes

“I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment. I respect the concern of the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) and his advocacy for his State, but I oppose this proposal which, in this case, does not present an opportunity for a balanced approach to wildlife management. Let me clarify why the National Wildlife Refuge is proposing these rules. According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, certain types of inhumane hunting, such as bear baiting and den hunting, has affected Federal refuge areas for wildlife. In fact, one refuge in the Kenai Peninsula had an emergency closing due to the extreme decrease in the number of brown bears, which was caused by these inhumane hunting practices. Rather than shutting down areas in which these hunting methods are causing the overkilling of native Alaskan predators and restricting access to all hunters, it seems reasonable to me to provide for a balanced approach that provides for a means of traditional, permit- based hunting. Nothing in the rule of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service would limit traditional hunting tactics, but, rather, it would continue and protect existing hunting practices. Unfortunately, this amendment does not address the wildlife diversity and mechanisms in place to maintain it. Therefore, it impacts the National Wildlife Refuge's ability to maintain its parks in a responsible manner and provide native animals with a refuge.…”