Number: 1985-04
WHEREAS, the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Act) of 1937 (16 U.S.C. §§669-669i) was amended in 1970 by Public Law 91-503 and again in 1972 by Public Law 92-558 to provide grant-in-aid funds to the States for Hunter Education and Safety programs; and
WHEREAS, Hunter Education and Safety programs are developed to meet certain goals including the following: to reduce hunting-related accidents, to enhance understanding and enjoyment of our wildlife resources, to create awareness among hunters of their responsibilities while hunting, to instill a respect for private and public property and a respect for the rights of others, and to improve skill and proficiency in the use of hunting equipment to ultimately produce more responsible hunters; and
WHEREAS, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands receive minimal Wildlife Restoration appropriations comparable to allocations received by small States which also receive Hunter Education and Safety funds; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is sympathetic to establishing this vital program in these areas; and
WHEREAS, the Island Territories and Commonwealths are decades behind States in fostering responsible sportsmanship programs; and
WHEREAS, Section 8A of the Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. §§669g-l) does not expressly provide for Hunter Education and Safety funds to Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands under Section 8 of the Act, as amended, and an amendment to Section 8A would provide such funds;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 14-17, 1985, in Arlington, Virginia, encourages the U.S. Department of the Interior, Congressional Appropriations Committees and the Honorable Delegates to Congress from Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands to take immediate action to include these offshore areas in Hunter Education and Safety funding.