Political Quotes

“H.R. 1420, the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act for the first time establishes a conservation mission for America's 509 refuge units. Equally important, the measure establishes hunting, fishing, and environmental education, as legitimate and appropriate priority general public uses of the 92 million-plus acres of land and water that make up our refuge system. It also affirms the refuge system not only as a home to all wildlife, but also as a haven to endangered wildlife and fish. Indeed, each of the six National Wildlife Refuges in Tennessee are either entirely or in part in my congressional district and you can fish and hunt on each of them. Through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program, the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund, the Dingell-Johnson-Wallop-Breaux Sportfish Restoration Program, the purchase of Federal duck stamps, and many other conservation and restoration programs, hunters and anglers are the unquestioned leaders when it comes to wildlife and fisheries restoration and conservation. America's hunters and anglers have contributed well over $6 billion to wildlife and fisheries restoration over the past 60 years. And last year alone, they spent nearly $60 billion pursuing the twin traditions of hunting and fishing. And with this legislation, hunters and anglers are again leading the conservation movement. In the best tradition of President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid hunter, this bill recognizes that fact.”