Assembly Resolution No. 198

BY: M. of A. Byrnes

        CONGRATULATING  David  Miller upon the occasion of
        his  retirement  after  27  years  of  distinguished
        service  as Executive Director of the New York State
        Trappers Association

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this  Legislative  Body  to  acknowledge
those  individuals whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to
enhance the stature of the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
congratulate David Miller upon the occasion of his retirement  after  27
years  of  distinguished  service  as Executive Director of the New York
State Trappers Association (NYSTA); and

  WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, David Miller  diligently  worked  to
preserve  the  ideals  of  this vital organization which is comprised of
men, women and children who are dedicated to protecting  and  preserving
our  heritage  as  well as the tradition of trapping in the State of New
York; and

  WHEREAS, In 1987, David Miller became the region 8 Director  of  the
NYSTA,  and  shortly  thereafter,  he  was given the position of General
Organizer to find ways to increase membership; and

  WHEREAS, In  1992,  David  Miller  was  officially  contracted,  and
through  the  years, he continued to rise through the ranks, holding the
titles of Vice President and  President  before  being  named  Executive
Director, the position from which he officially retired in 2019; and

  WHEREAS,  In  this  capacity,  David  Miller was an educator who was
committed to protecting and promoting the trapping lifestyle as part  of
an  effective and necessary wildlife conservation management plan in New
York State; through his passion and experience, he informed the New York
State Legislature and the public about the  role  trapping  plays  in  a
successful wildlife conservation model; and

  WHEREAS, David Miller also accomplished numerous other goals for the
benefit of his fellow trappers such as working towards the approval of a
cable  restraint  bill  so trappers can add another effective and humane
tool to their toolbox; and

  WHEREAS, David  Miller  also  partnered  with  the  New  York  State
Department  of  Environmental Conservation (DEC) personnel and the NYSTA
JTI Committee to draft language for a new regulation  to  eliminate  the
incidental  capture  of dogs in body gripping traps while still allowing
the trappers of New York a practical and effective  means  of  utilizing
those  traps  on  dry  land  and  drafted  language  for  a new trapping
regulation to reduce the possibility of incidental capture of  birds  of
prey by trappers; and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore, David Miller was instrumental in changing the
law so trappers could use their ENCON ID No. on their trap tags in  lieu

of  their  name and address, and organized a bear dog training season in
New York; and

  WHEREAS,  In  addition  to  his  role  at  NYSTA, David Miller was a
delegate to the Northeast United States Trappers Council, and was one of
the original members of the Joint Trappers  Initiative  (JTI)  Committee
which works directly with the NYSDEC Furbearer Team to work together for
the  betterment  of trapping and furbearer management through regulation
and the Conservation Alliance of New York (CANY); and

  WHEREAS,  For  his  steadfast  and  unremitting  commitment  to  the
industry  he is passionate about, David Miller was inducted into the New
York Outdoorsman Hall of Fame in 2007; and

  WHEREAS, In his much-deserved retirement, David Miller  has  enjoyed
spending  more  time  with  his beloved family, especially his cherished
grandchildren; and

  WHEREAS, For the past 27  years,  David  Miller  rendered  faithful,
conscientious  and  valuable  service  to  the  New  York State Trappers
Association; as Executive Director, he served with  loyalty,  honor  and
distinction; and

  WHEREAS,  During  his  tenure  with  the  New  York  State  Trappers
Association, David Miller earned the admiration, esteem and affection of
his colleagues; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
congratulate  David  Miller upon the occasion of his retirement after 27
years of distinguished service as Executive Director  of  the  New  York
State  Trappers  Association,  and  to  wish  him well in all his future
endeavors; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to David Miller.