Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairman Young, the dean of the House, for his efforts on this. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 200, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act. As chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and an avid recreational angler, I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bipartisan effort to provide much-needed reform to our Nation's fisheries management. Mr. Chairman, I would ask the speakers that have gone before me on the other side of the aisle if any of them fish or are they a member of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. Have they taken the opportunity to educate themselves on the fishery issues that we are facing today? Generations of folks have enjoyed one of America's greatest pastimes in our coastal waters. Unfortunately, antiquated Federal policies have unnecessarily limited the public's access to abundant marine fisheries. Commercial and recreational fishing are different activities that require different management strategies. The Magnuson-Stevens Act has lacked the tools necessary to address the needs of recreational fisheries management. H.R. 200 provides an opportunity to recognize the alternative management approach in the Nation's principal fisheries law to the benefit of 11 million saltwater anglers. Despite what some have said, H.R.…”