Sportfishing and Boating Community Honors Steadfast Supporter
by Mary Jane Williamson
June 6, 2007, Alexandria, VA—On Tuesday, June 5, 2007, one of the sportfishing and boating community’s most ardent supporters, Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK), was honored during an evening reception at the Russell Senate office building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as part of the National Fishing and Boating Week celebrations which took place nationwide June 2-10. Approximately 300 people attended the reception.
The sportfishing and boating community recognized the Senator’s decades of commitment to the nation’s natural resources, most specifically for the Act that carries his name, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, first passed in 1976.
Senator Stevens’ career in public service spans more than six decades from his beginnings in the Army Air Corp where he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross to his current role as the senior member of Alaska’s Congressional delegation. Senator Stevens has served six terms representing Alaska’s citizens. During his Congressional tenure, Senator Stevens has served on and chaired many committees including the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
Mike Nussman, president and CEO, American Sportfishing Association, praised Senator Stevens during the Tuesday night reception. “In 1976, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act was a milestone in ocean fisheries management. With Senator Stevens’ diligence and personal support, its provisions for fisheries resources have been strengthened with each reauthorization including the most recent which was passed by Congress in 2006.” Nussman further said, “There are few times in Washington when one person can be so strongly identified as the pivotal link in the passage of legislation; however, Senator Stevens is that one person and for that we in the fishing and boating community are truly grateful.”
In his remarks, Senator Stevens professed his life-long devotion to fishing. He also challenged those present to take the Anglers’ Legacy pledge and commit to introducing someone new to the sport. “Introduce someone to fishing at least once a year,” said Senator Stevens. “I do it as often as I can. It’s a great sport, and it helps put money into supporting the habitat.” Anglers’ Legacy is a program produced by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.
The reception was hosted by the American Sportfishing Association, the American Fly Fishing Trade Association, the International Game Fish Association, the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.
Items for the evening’s raffle were donated by Shimano American Corporation, St. Croix Rods and The Scott Fly Rods.
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Left to right: Tom Sadler, representing the American Fly Fishing Trade Association; Mike Nussman, president and CEO, American Sportfishing Association; Frank Peterson, president and CEO, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation; Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK); Thom Dammrich, president, National Marine Manufacturers Association; and Rob Kramer, president, International Game Fish Association. |
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice, speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries, state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups, and outdoor journalists when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring social, economic, and conservation values of sportfishing in America.
