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Current Issue - Volume: 1 | Number: 12 | Date: December 12, 2008
NASC Summit Rallies Pro-Sportsman Legislators
As the nation readies for a new era in politics, state legislators from across the country gathered at The Clinton House in Clinton, South Carolina this past weekend
for the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucus's 5th Annual Sportsman-Legislator Summit.
Legislators from 24 states were represented at the summit, where like-minded, bi-partisan policy makers spent an intense three days setting pro-sportsmen state legislative priorities and identifying anti-sportsmen legislation for defeat during the upcoming 2009 General Assembly sessions.
"We couldn't be more excited about the number of legislators and sportsmen's leaders who got together in Clinton. As the largest gathering of pro-sportsmen legislators in the country, we all came away better prepared to introduce these important issues to state capitols across the country," said CSF President Jeff Crane.
Legislators left the summit better prepared to take action on key sportsmen's issues back in their states and to learn about legislative solutions being introduced around the nation to benefit wildlife, hunting and fishing. They were also briefed on national issues expected to be considered in the 111th Congress.
Sessions at this year's summit also included new ways for local sportsmen's groups to work with their respective caucuses, public attitudes and trends on hunting and fishing issues, access issues, recent ballot initiatives, and successful state programs to engage youth in hunting and the shooting sports. VIEW PHOTOS
Sen. Astle Honored With Brad Rowse Leadership Award
Maryland State Senator John Astle, a passionate activist for hunting and fishing issues in his home state of Maryland and around the country, has been named as only the third ever recipient of the Brad Rowse Leadership Award.
"The NASC has experienced tremendous growth under the tenure of Senator Astle's leadership of the Executive Council," commented CSF President, Jeff Crane. "Couple this with the success of the Maryland Sportsmen's Caucus and it was a personal honor for me to present this distinguished award to my friend, John Astle."
New NASC Leadership Takes the Reigns
Elected by state caucus members at the summit, a new Executive Council will serve as the leadership of NASC during the 2009 legislative session.
New members elected to the Executive Council included: New Mexico Representative Candy Spence-Ezzell and Colorado Senator Dan Gibbs. Alternate members elected were Alaska Representative John Harris, and Ohio Representative Joe Uecker. Returning to the Executive Council are South Carolina Representative Mike Pitts, Florida Representative Baxter Troutman, Pennsylvania Representative Marc Gergely, Texas Representative Carl Isett, Arkansas Representative Mike Burris, Illinois Representative Brandon Phelps, Kentucky Representative Robin Webb, and Missouri Representative Jason Brown. Immediate Past President, Senator John Astle of Maryland will continue to serve as an ex-officio member of the council.
Rep. Pitts was elected President of the Executive Council. In speaking for the first time as the President at the closing awards banquet, Representative Pitts said, "This organization has come a long way since the beginning and has accomplished a lot, but I believe we have done more than just grow or climb in the last four years, and the large response and attendance at this meeting proves exactly how far we have come."
UST Inc, Honored for Steadfast Support
UST, Inc. was honored at the summit for its steadfast support of NASC. As a long time supporter, UST understands the strong connection between hunters, anglers and its consumers. UST has been represented at every Sportsman-Legislator Summit since 2004 and has been a supporter of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation since its beginning, as well as being actively involved on the CSF Board.
Special Thanks To the Sponsors of the NASC 5th Annual Sportsman-Legislator Summit
