*Note: There are three press releases contained within this blog.
Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
2426 N. 2nd St.
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-232-3480 * info@pfsc.org * www.pfsc.org
For Immediate Release:
04/09/08
Contact:
Jeff Souders or Melody Zullinger
717-232-3480 or info@pfsc.org
http://www.pfsc.org
NRA’S SECOND VICE PRESIDENT SPEAKS AT BANQUET
Attorney General Corbett Addresses Delegates
The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs (PFSC) met for its semi-annual (spring) convention, March 28-30, in Scranton. 41of 54 eligible delegates were present for the Sunday voting session.
On Friday, members attended PFSC, PA Wildlife Federation (PWF) and PFSC Endowment Board meetings, and then enjoyed a relaxing evening of fellowship.
On Saturday, attendees of the Fish & Boat Committee were addressed by the PA Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) Executive Director Dr. Douglas Austen and Dave Milko, Division of Fisheries Chief. Gary Moore, Sally Corl and Walter Dietz were also present representing the PFBC. Information on Susquehanna River water quality, expanding the early trout opener in the Southwest, preseason stocking, Wild Trout Initiative, marketing, expanding youth programs, access programs, dam repair, alternative license options and the challenge of climate change were discussed.
PA Game Commission (PGC) Executive Director Carl Roe addressed a number of topics during the Game & Trapping Committee meeting. The 5 day antlered deer only season in four WMU's (2D, 2G, 3C & 4B), HB 2205 (penalty increases bill), Point-of-Sale and the PGC’s financial situation were focused on by Director Roe. DCNR’s Seth Cassell gave an update on DCNR’s mission/programs, including tree composition of state forests, Gypsy moth damage, gas wells and possible wind energy development. Matt Ehrhart, from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, discussed The Reserve Enhancement & Protection Act of Pennsylvania (REAP). Emily Brodsky, from Wildlife Leadership Adventures, spoke about a conservation program, scheduled for July 8-12 in Huntingdon County, for youths fourteen to seventeen.
Representative Ed Staback, majority Chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, dropped by to welcome convention attendees to the Scranton area and gave an update on several bills being considered in his committee. Rick Spencer, Regional Representative for NWF, spoke about the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) mission and how they work with different organizations across the country on issues concerning sportsmen.
The Environmental Committee discussed a wide range of state and federal environmental issues. A proposal to increase the Allegheny National Forest Wilderness areas and an update on the proposal to create a National Wildlife Refuge in the Cherry Valley region of Monroe County were brought before the committee. Rick Spencer, NWF Regional Organizer, provided updates on federal legislation. Jim Connors, president of Monroe County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, spoke at length about the importance of the PFSC taking a stand on Global Warming and climate change legislation. Other issues brought before the group included the Farm Bill, EPA’s Chesapeake Bay restoration initiative and the growing occurrence of prescription drugs in drinking water. No formal action was taken by the committee on any of the above issues.
John Hohenwarter, Regional NRA Representative for Legislative Issues, and Kim Stolfer, Firearm Owners Against Crime, spoke to the Firearms Committee about current anti-gun legislation. They also discussed the importance of attending the April 7th Pro-2nd Amendment Press Conference at the Capitol. Kim Stolfer said Allen Keyes, constitutional scholar, author, former presidential candidate and Reagan administration ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council plans to be present at the rally. Keyes will speak in defense of the preservation of human life. He has said that “while anti-gun advocates speak in defense of human life,…what they have forgotten is one of the harsh realities of our human experience…you cannot defend life if you give up the means of that defense.”
Saturday night’s Awards Banquet saw Devin DeMario, 23, of Manor, PA, receive the 2008 John F. Laudadio Conservation Leadership Award in recognition of her continuing efforts to protect the natural resources of our commonwealth. (See separate release) Special guest speaker, NRA’s 2nd Vice President, David Keane, talked about the connection between our 2nd Amendment Rights and our outdoor traditions, and the importance of protecting both. Mr. Keene, as well as serving on the NRA Board of Directors, is also the Chairman of the American Conservative Union, the nation's oldest and largest grassroots conservative lobbying organization.
At Sunday’s general session, delegates were addressed by Attorney General Tom Corbett who updated them on several issues his office is working on, including reciprocity. Delegates then voted on several issues and resolutions brought before them. A motion was brought to the floor, by Environmental Committee Chairman Ed Zygmunt, to have PFSC take a position on Global Warming, other than the current neutral position; however, the motion failed to reach a required 2/3rd vote to bring the issue to the floor. The Shad resolution saw 9 out of 13 issues supported. A resolution supporting the use of a percentage of the sales tax as an alternative funding source for wildlife resource protections, passed 23-18; a resolution extending the age requirement of Jr. Hunting Permits to the age of 18, failed 5-36. The resolution for PFSC to disaffiliate with the NWF, failed 13-27 (1 abstention). See PFSC’s web site for full details on the resolutions. Full Committee Reports will also be posted on our web site. http://www.pfsc.org
PFSC’s Fall Convention is set to be held September 5th-7th in Somerset.
Representing 95,000 sportsmen and women, the mission of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Inc. is to provide a statewide, united voice for the concerns of all sportsmen and conservationists to ensure their rights and interests are protected and to protect and enhance the environment and our natural resources. The PFSC has over 75 years of experience fighting for Pennsylvanians’ rights and privileges to hunt, fish, trap, shoot and boat, and for conservation of the Commonwealth’s natural resources.
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Westmoreland County conservationist honored at PFSC convention
&nb sp; The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs (PFSC) presented Devin DeMario, 22, with the 2008 John F. Laudadio Conservation Leadership award during their spring convention, March 29th, in Scranton.
Devin attended the Westmoreland County Sportsmen’s League’s Junior Conservation Leadership School when she was fifteen years of age. She went on to graduate from Hempfield Area High School and then enrolled at the Westmoreland County Community College before transferring to California University of Pennsylvania where she received a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology.
Along the way Devin obtained her Hunter-Trapper Education Instructor and Cable Restraint Instructor certificates. Devin is also a certified instructor for both “Wild About Songbirds” and “Wild About Bears,” and has conducted classes throughout the Southwest Region. In addition to her education and instruction activities, Devin was also an Advisory Committee member on the Board of Environmental Education for the Western Pennsylvania Conservation District.
She has been an instructor and counselor for the Westmoreland County Junior Conservation School, a Hunter-Trapper Instructor for the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Past President and Youth Activities Coordinator for the Westmoreland County Sportsmen’s League where she has mentored many youth. She is also actively involved in the Pennsylvania Trapper’s Association, Beta Beta Beta Biological Honors Society, the American Fisheries Society and is past treasure of the Wildlife Society. Devin interned with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and is currently working for the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.
“The Southwest Division of the PFSC is proud to have this year’s recipient come from their region,” said John Kozubal, Westmoreland Co. delegate.
The John F. Laudadio Conservation Leadership award is presented to youth in recognition and appreciation of their continued commitment to the natural resources of the commonwealth. “Devin is the perfect individual to receive this distinction,” said PFSC Executive Director Melody Zullinger. “She is an impressive promoter of the wonders of our outdoor activities and actively encourages her fellow youth to become involved in conservation efforts, and she is committed to pursuing a life dedicated to conservation.”
The Laudadio Award is named in memory of the late John F. Laudadio of Westmoreland County. Laudadio served as a Pennsylvania House of Representatives member and was a past President of PFSC. During Laudadio’s tenure on Capitol Hill, he was known as “Mr. Conservation.” Laudadio was involved in the passage of more than 20 important conservation laws in Pennsylvania, including the All Surface Mining Act, the Pennsylvania Clean Water Act, and the first recycling legislation.
With more than 95,000 members, the mission of Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Inc., is to provide a statewide, united voice for the concerns of all sportsmen and conservationists, to ensure their rights and interests are protected, and to protect and enhance the environment and our natural resources. The PFSC has over 75 years of experience fighting for Pennsylvanians’ rights and privileges to hunt, fish, trap, shoot and boat, and for the conservation of the Commonwealth’s natural resources.
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PFSC announces winners of the 2008 Conservation Poster Contest
&nb sp; “Hidden PA Wildlife” was the theme for the 2008 Conservation Poster Contest, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs (PFSC). Young people from across Pennsylvania, in grades 4 -12, participated in the art contest at the state level. The posters were judged at the PFSC’s spring convention in Scranton, March 28-30.
Kris Hayman, of Genesse, Potter County, took first place in the Senior Division for her poster. She is a junior at Northern Potter Senior High School. Senior Kayla DeVault, of Greensburg, took second place. Kelly Siedhof, Navron, a sophomore at Garden Spot High School, Lancaster County, took third place.
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In the Junior Division, Kelly R. Sheaffer, of New Providence, Lancaster County, took top honors. Sheaffer is in 8th grade at George A. Smith Middle School. Cassie Dudley, Quarryville, Lancaster County, took 2nd place. She is in 8th grade at George A. Smith Middle School. Aleiha Hile’s poster won 3rd place. She is from Jackson Center and is a 7th grader at Lakeview Middle School.
In the Sub-junior Division, Alivia Coposki of Patton, Cambria County, won first place. She is in fifth grade at Cambria Heights Elementary School. The 2nd place winner, Miranda Getz, Manheim, Lancaster County, is in the 6th grade. Third place went to Brady Hunsberger, who is in 6th grade at C-L Elementary School, Clarion County.
The top 3 places in each division receive monetary prizes and have their artwork displayed on PFSC’s website. The first place winning art in each contest division is published in the PFSC’s On Target newspaper.
The 2009 PFSC Conservation Poster Contest details will be available later this year.
With more than 95,000 members, the mission of Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Inc., is to provide a statewide, united voice for the concerns of all sportsmen and conservationists, to ensure their rights and interests are protected, and to protect and enhance the environment and our natural resources. The PFSC has over 70 years of experience fighting for Pennsylvanians’ rights and privileges to hunt, fish, trap, shoot and boat, and for the conservation of the Commonwealth’s natural resources.
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For more information on the PFSC visit our web site: http://www.pfsc.org If you would like to be added to PFSC’s mailing list, please send an email to info@pfsc.org with your name and affiliation. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please send e-mail to same address.
Tags: PFSC
