Overwhelming Number of Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Members Turnout to Celebrate America’s Traditions of Hunting and Fishing

September 16, 2011 (Washington, DC) – Nearly 80 members of Congress, one-third of the total members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC), along with nearly 600 sportsmen’s community leaders celebrated America’s traditions of hunting, fishing and fish and wildlife management at the 22nd Annual Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Banquet & Auction on Wednesday.

The day began at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center where a meeting of the CSC leadership, including CSC Senate Co-Chairs, Senators Jon Tester and John Thune, along with CSC House Co-Chairs, Congressmen Jeff Miller and Mike Ross,  and CSC Vice-Chairs Senator Kay Hagan and Rep. Bob Latta, gathered alongside CSF partner organizations to discuss legislation of interest to the sportsmen’s community such as: Making Public Lands Public, the Fishery Science Improvement Act, and the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act.

“We gathered the leadership of the CSC, along with leading hunting and fishing industry companies and organizations for a discussion on issues that are in the spirit of the bipartisan, bicameral nature of the CSC in working collectively to turn these bills into law,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.

“In Montana, tourism, including hunting and fishing, is among our biggest industry, and they’re a strong part of our heritage,” said Sen. Tester.  “Bringing together sportsmen and women to discuss smart, common-sense ideas is the best way to improve access to public lands, expand opportunities to hunt and fish, and responsibly manage the land, water and clean air we rely on.”

Echoing that sentiment, Sen. Thune said, "Pheasant hunting is a $250 million business in South Dakota.  Hunting represents the second largest employment category in the state. I can't overlook that fact, or the importance of the habitat to South Dakota."

A 5:30 pm reception, raffle and silent auction kicked-off the evening activities, followed by the dinner and live auction benefitting CSF.

United States Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, spoke to a reception crowd on the important role that the Department plays in fish and wildlife conservation.

“Sportsmen’s issues are about American values and also about the economy,” said Secretary Vilsack. “It’s important to continue the strong partnership between the sportsmen’s community and the government land, fish, and wildlife management agencies to ensure that sportsmen and women, people who care deeply about the land and natural resources, are able to maintain our ability to enjoy the outdoors.”

This year’s event, titled, "American Traditions: Supporting our Fish and Wildlife Resources Today", provided a forum for sportsmen and wildlife enthusiasts to gather and discuss current legislative issues and celebrate the strides CSF and the CSC have made in supporting America’s fish and wildlife resources.

“Outdoor activities like hunting and fishing are an important part of our heritage and way of life,” said Rep. Miller. “I feel it is important to preserve these traditions and promote them to the next generation of outdoorsmen at every opportunity, especially in our Nation’s Capitol.”

This 2011 CSF Banquet and Auction was hosted by Amgen, Anheuser-Busch, ATK, Cabela’s, Cox Enterprises, Dallas Safari Club, Diageo, Ford Motor Company, Intermedia Outdoors, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Natural Resource Results, North American Deer Farmers Association, Outdoor Channel, Richard Childress Racing, Safari Club International, Shimano, Sportsman Channel, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America and Yamaha Motor Corporation USA.