Bill Text: VA SJR210 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Passed) 2012-03-14 - Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ210ER) [SJR210 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2012-SJR210-Introduced.html

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12105625D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 210 Offered February 29, 2012 Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act. ---------- Patrons-- Hanger, Northam and Deeds ----------

WHEREAS, hunters, anglers, and trappers were among the first conservationists supporting the establishment of agencies to conserve fish and wildlife and their habitats, and they continue to fund state efforts to provide for healthy and sustainable natural resources; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly then and now supports the primary Virginia agencies tasked with protecting and managing fish and resident wildlife within the Commonwealth—the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the Marine Resources Commission; and

WHEREAS, upon realizing that license fees alone were insufficient to restore and sustain healthy fish and wildlife populations, hunters, anglers, and trappers supported excise taxes on hunting, fishing, and boating equipment to raise additional funds to support restoration; and

WHEREAS, in 1937 former member of the Senate of Virginia Representative A. Willis Robertson co-sponsored the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, also known as the Pittman-Robertson Act, a user pay-public benefit system so successful that in 1950 a companion Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration was passed; and

WHEREAS, since 1939, the combined contribution of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs to state fish and wildlife agencies has exceeded $13 billion nationwide and collectively constitutes the American System of Conservation Funding; and

WHEREAS, the manufacturers of hunting, fishing, and boating equipment have supported the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs and continue to exhibit a spirit of cooperation with state fish and wildlife agencies; and

WHEREAS, this cooperative partnership has resulted in the most successful model of fish and wildlife management in the world, restoring fish and wildlife populations throughout the country; and

WHEREAS, hunters, anglers, trappers, boaters, recreational shooters, and allied industries have played an important role in supporting the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs through their contributions to the American System of Conservation Funding; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and Virginia Marine Resources Commission as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation for the role of hunters, anglers, trappers, boaters, recreational shooters, and allied industries in supporting the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs through their contributions to the American System of Conservation Funding.