Bill Text: IN SCR0031 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorating the 75th Anniver. of the Wildlife & Sportfish Restoration Programs
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2012-03-05 - Returned to the Senate [SCR0031 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2012-SCR0031-Introduced.html
RESOLUTION No. _____
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th
Anniversary of the Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Programs.
, read first time and referred to Committee on
RESOLUTION No. _____
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th
Anniversary of the Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Programs.
Whereas, More than a century ago, hunters, anglers and
trappers were among the first conservationists who realized
America's natural resources were in peril and could not sustain
unregulated harvest and habitat destruction;
Whereas, Hunters, anglers and trappers took it upon
themselves to support laws that stopped excessive harvest of
fish and wildlife, established game and fish agencies to protect
fish, wildlife, and their habitat, and supported special fishing
and hunting license fees to help fund the new agencies' efforts
to provide for healthy natural resources for future generations;
Whereas, The Senate then and now recognizes that the
primary authority to protect and manage fish and resident
wildlife within their borders resides in the state fish and
wildlife agencies;
Whereas, This user pay-public benefit system became
known as the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program,
which began 75 years ago with the passage of the Federal Aid
in Wildlife Restoration Act in 1937, and then was bolstered
with the passage of the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration
Act in 1950 (later expanded by the Wallop-Breaux amendment
to the Sport Fish Restoration Act 1984);
Whereas, The combined contribution of the Wildlife and
Sport Fish Restoration Programs to state fish and wildlife
agencies exceeds $13 billion since 1939 (the first year money
was distributed to the states) - more than any other single
conservation effort in American history-which constitutes,
collectively, the American System of Conservation Funding;
Whereas, The manufacturers of firearms, ammunition,
hunting, fishing, and boating equipment have collected excise
taxes on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment,
manufactured fishing tackle, electric trolling motors, marine
electronics and motorboat fuel, and distributed these funds to
the states through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;
Whereas, The manufacturers of firearms, ammunition,
hunting, fishing, and boating equipment have supported the
Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs and continue to
exhibit a spirit of cooperation with the state fish and wildlife
agencies; and
Whereas, This cooperative partnership between industry,
hunters, anglers, trappers, boaters, recreational shooters, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and state natural resource
agencies has resulted in the most successful model of fish and
wildlife management in the world, restoring populations from
coast to coast: Therefore,
SECTION 1. That the Indiana General Assembly recognizes the 75th Anniversary of America's hunters, anglers, trappers, boaters, recreational shooters, industry, state fish and wildlife agencies, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their leading role in restoring healthy populations of fish, wildlife and other natural resources supported by the American System of Conservation Funding.
SECTION 2. The Secretary of the Senate is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Robert Carter, Director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources; the Indiana Congressional delegation; and the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation.
