Georgia-2011-HR1275-Introduced

By: Representatives Burns of the 157th, Knight of the 126th, Parrish of the 156th, Roberts of the 154th, and Pruett of the 144th

Recognizing February 8, 2012, as Sportsmen's and Coastal Day at the capitol; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Georgia is one of the most geographically and biologically diverse areas in the nation with abundant plant and animal populations that provide its citizens with unrivaled opportunities for recreation and commerce while sustaining a quality of life that makes the State of Georgia a great place to live and work; and

WHEREAS, Coastal Georgia is a particularly unique part of this diverse state with a half million acres of estuaries, 3,000 miles of tidal waterways, a chain of 14 barrier islands, and 300 square miles of open Atlantic Ocean; and

WHEREAS, Coastal Georgia produces fresh seafood, including shrimp, blue crabs, fish, and oysters, that is enjoyed by residents and visitors alike while providing an estimated $45 million of economic impact; and

WHEREAS, each year, over 1 million Georgia residents enjoy hunting and fishing from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean; and

WHEREAS, hunting and fishing, both freshwater and saltwater, generate $198 million in state and local tax revenue annually, directly support 31,000 jobs in Georgia, and have a total economic impact of over $3 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, Georgia ranks first in the nation as a hunting destination due to its abundant wildlife populations and accessible wildlife habitat; and

WHEREAS, hunting and fishing license fees are the primary funding source for operating more than 1 million acres of wildlife management areas in Georgia, which provide a myriad of recreational and educational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, hunting and fishing license fees, along with excise taxes paid on hunting and fishing equipment, have funded the successful restoration of numerous wildlife and fish species, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, black bear, wood ducks, brook trout, and red drum; and

WHEREAS, the sportsmen and sportswomen of Georgia and the conservation organizations they support through donations and volunteerism work to preserve the State of Georgia's natural lands and wildlife, which include non-game and game animals.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize February 8, 2012, as Sportsmen's and Coastal Day at the capitol.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Georgia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus.