Washington, DC – Every day, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, as the sportsmen’s link to Congress speaks with policy-makers, conservation leaders and members of the outdoors community to advance hunting, fishing and conservation issues through the maze of the political system. CSF interacts daily with the bi-partisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus members on ‘both sides of the aisle’ in both the House and the Senate.
Here’s an inside look at some of the mid-February scheduled meetings and events of importance to fishermen, hunters and to wildlife conservation issues.
Marine Protected Areas…
On February 5th, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane and CSF Board Members Gordon Robertson of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and Phil Morlock of Shimano Corporation met with senior government officials to inform them about how Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) could affect recreational fishing.
How does the protection afforded to a threatened aquatic creature or marine feature by a Marine Protected Area (MPA) affect sportfishing? MPAs that claim a portion of any waterway as ‘off limits’ or ‘no-take’ can become an unnecessary barrier to recreational fishing. Marine Protected Areas should be designated only when scientifically-based (via a transparent, open process) and should be monitored and revised as necessary to ensure effectiveness.
The Right to Keep and Bear Arms…
A giant step that speaks for the rights of gun owners in the nation’s capital occurred on February 8th when the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus leadership joined 300 Congressmen and Vice President Dick Cheney in signing a ‘congressional amicus curiae’ or ‘friend of the court’ brief supporting a lower federal appeals court ruling holding that the Second Amendment indeed protects the right of an individual to keep and bear arms. The ‘Washington DC Gun Ban’ case, The District of Columbia vs. Heller is now before the Supreme Court.
Fishing and Hunting in the Capitol…
CSF President Jeff Crane met with the leadership of the House of Representatives Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus on February 12th to update members on the 2008 legislative priorities. The discussion ranged from policy planning on the President’s Executive Order on Hunting to key policy issues such as the Farm Bill. Stay tuned…
A Busy Day on The Hill…
– CSF President Jeff Crane and a score of select wildlife and conservation groups were invited to meet with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee on February 13th to discuss sportsmen’s issues. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) is the Chair of the Committee and a Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) member. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) is a former Co-Chair of the CSC. The invitation calls for an exchange of ideas on preserving our fish and wildlife habitats and outdoor heritage.
“This Senate committee meeting began the conversation with leaders in the U.S. Senate on hunting, fishing and conservation issues. We’re looking forward to working with the Senators for the benefit of sportsmen. The bi-partisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus will always work to safeguard our traditions on Capitol Hill” said Jeff Crane.
– “How was your hunting season?” is probably not a question frequently asked in the halls of Congress. But, at the ‘Welcome Back’ Reception for members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, hosted by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, it was. The event enjoyed an attendance of over 120 including leaders of major conservation organizations, corporate partners and more than 25 congressmen. The reception served as a focal point to discuss 2007 legislative achievements for sportsmen and to look ahead to the second session of the 110th Congress – all in a casual atmosphere. Warren Sunders, noted decoy carver from Dorchester County, Maryland demonstrated his duck carving technique.
The event was sponsored by Fannie Mae and the generous corporate partners of CSF. Sadly, Lilia Bruni, the Manager of Events & Promotions is leaving CSF after this event to pursue new adventures back home in Texas.
About the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF)
CSF is the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. With support from every major hunting and fishing organization, CSF is the leader in promoting sportsmen’s issues with elected officials. CSF works directly with the bi-partisan, bi-cameral Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus in the U.S. Congress, as well as affiliated state sportsmen’s caucuses in state legislatures around the country. www.sportsmenslink.org.
