Recognizing the achievements and contributions of the National Wildlife Refuge System on the occasion of its centennial anniversary and expressing strong support for the continued success of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) for yielding me time, a good friend who has made a tremendous difference in this body in a very short period of time; and my friend and colleague from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega); and our fellow author of this bill, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Boyd). Truly, conservation in the movement and the commitment to public access for hunting and other outdoor activities is a bipartisan effort and something all of us are committed to.

Mr. Speaker, on March 14, 2003, the National Wildlife Refuge System celebrated its centennial anniversary. A hundred years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt established the first refuge, the Pelican Island Bird Reservation in Florida's Indian River Lagoon. Today the National Wildlife Refuge System has evolved into the world's most unique network of lands and waters set aside specifically for conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants. With 540 refuges encompassing nearly 95 million acres and hosting some 35 million visitors annually, the National Wildlife Refuge System is a complex network of lands managed for wildlife and the public. There are refuges in every State of the Union and within an hour's drive of almost every major city.

The Secretary of the Interior, Gayle Norton, was joined by thousands of wildlife enthusiasts, Members of Congress, and notable conservationists to celebrate the centennial of the system on March 14 at Pelican Island. These celebrations occurred simultaneously at wildlife refuges across America, and the celebration will continue throughout the year.

To commemorate this event, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Boyd) and I introduced H. Res. 173 to commemorate this centennial anniversary and to express support for its continued success in the next 100 years and beyond.

As we gather in support of this to commemorate this tremendous birthday for the system, I would like to read into the Record an advertisement from Roll Call sponsored by nearly 40 sportsmen conservation groups. This diverse group represents the backbone of America's conservation efforts, and their strong support of the refuge system is both a testament and a tribute to the vision of the sportsman conservationist President Theodore Roosevelt, who proclaimed the first refuge in 1903. The ad begins with a quote from that great President and reads as follows: ``In a civilized and cultivated country, wild animals only continue to exist at all when preserved by sportsmen. The excellent people who protest against all hunting and consider sportsmen an enemy of wildlife, are ignorant of the fact that in reality the genuine sportsman is by all odds the most important factor in keeping the larger and more valuable wild creatures from total extermination.''

The hunting community was one of the original, if not the only original, entity that recognized the need for

wildlife conservation, not only for hunters but for all those who seek to enjoy wildlife. Hunters were conservationists long before it was the politically correct thing to do. The timing of the formation of the National Refuge System illustrates this. The system was formed after the virtual eradication of the native bison, together with a dangerous reduction in a number of other species such as the prong horn, migratory water fowl and others. Hunters were the first to wake up to the reality that our wildlife resources were not unlimited.

President Roosevelt, an avid hunter and conservationist himself, recognized the need to preserve wildlife through sustainable use. Unfortunately, some who oppose these hunting efforts attempt to revise history to diminish the hunting community's contribution to wildlife conservation. Recently on the eve of the centennial of the system, some have cast a pall by waging a litigation challenge to the system. Sadly, they missed the beauty of the refuge system as a place for all to enjoy wildlife and to cooperate in that effort.

The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, identified by then President Clinton as ``the most significant conservation legislation to emerge from Congress to date,'' was a collaborative effort born of extensive negotiations between executive branch, Congress, environmental groups, and sportsmens organizations. According to the executive order that announced the 1997 law, the bill was ``proof that when there is a shared commitment to do what is right for our natural resources, partisan and idealogical differences can be set aside and compromises can be negotiated for the benefit of the common good.''

Sportsmen are the original conservationists. The stewardship of the game population that provides a bounty of food and sport is crucial in the survival of many game species. The gains achieved in scientific management of game species can be linked to the efforts of hunters to maintain the populations and quality of the game they hunt. Populations of game animals have flourished through proper game management by concerned and devoted hunters. The populations of deer and turkey alone are far greater now at the beginning of this century than they ever were at the beginning of the last.

It is in a hunter's best interest to maintain game populations so that they may continue to practice the tradition they love. Licensed game hunters are deeply involved in game management on a number of levels. They pay taxes on their arms and ammunition, stamps and permits, funds that all go to help protect and maintain the sport that they hold so dear to their hearts. The rules and codes that today's sportsmen follow serve to protect and improve the quality of game species for generations to come.

I again thank the cosponsors of this legislation on both sides of the aisle, and I appreciate the time given us by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 173, recognizing the important achievements and contributions of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The National Wildlife Refuge System has been a national treasure for one hundred years thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Since its creation in 1903, the National Wildlife Refuge System has successfully protected numerous plant and animal species in each of the fifty states. In my great State of Delaware, the Bombay Hook and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuges have protected and encouraged growth of migratory bird populations so that future generations can benefit from their existence just as we and our ancestors have marveled at their presence.

The Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge has provided a safe habitat for eagles, deer, and migratory waterfowl and shorebirds since its creation in 1937. During that period, the refuge has maintained an eagle population and has seen 28 eaglets fledged. The refuge currently has one active bald eagle nest. I am thankful that, through the efforts of taxpayers, volunteers, and refuge employees, future generations of Delawareans will not miss the splendor of a soaring bald eagle, a national icon. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge has also successfully protected the tidal salt marsh so that waterfowl populations including the snow geese continue to migrate to the Delaware shore. Recently, ten years of horseshoe crab surveying have led to the implementation of tighter restrictions on the harvesting of the species. All of these achievements have benefited nature lovers and birders across the nation and enriched the education of generations of children.

The Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, since its establishment in 1963, also has provided protection for numerous migratory bird and other populations. The refuge has expanded recently from a satellite of the Bombary Hook National Wildlife Refuge to become an independent refuge with an active bald eagle nest and one of the largest freshwater marshes on the East Coast. I have been proud to work with Delawareans to improve Prime Hook through the voluntary purchase of new properties in and adjacent to the refuge. These land purchases will provide a valuable buffer between the refuge and fast growing development in the county.

It gives me great pleasure, Mr. Speaker, to recognize these achievements and to ensure that these refuges receive the continued support of Congress. In reaffirming our commitment to the conservation of our nation's rich natural heritage, we allow our future generations to witness the same natural wonders we have the privilege of seeing today.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) for his management of this piece of legislation. I also commend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Putnam) for his sponsorship of this proposed resolution.

Mr. Speaker, as stated by the previous gentleman, my good friend, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi), this is a noncontroversial resolution which salutes our National Wildlife Refuge System on its 100th birthday. Certainly our refuge system must be listed as one of our Nation's best and most enduring conservation success stories.

While I agree wholeheartedly with my colleagues that we indeed should celebrate our refuge system, I would be remiss if I did not also remind my colleagues of the significant challenges that confront this system today.

At present, the refuge system faces a combined operations and maintenance backlog, backlog, Mr. Speaker, that is approaching some $1.8 billion. Funding to acquire or protect additional refuge lands has also shrunk, leaving some refuges fragmented or with gaping holes which both complicate and frustrate management.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, critics still debate whether the ``wildlife first'' mission of the refuge system should be adjusted more towards the benefit of wildlife and less to the interests of other stakeholders who wish to extract or otherwise use refuge resources.

Mr. Speaker, these are all issues that the refuge system will have to face as it begins its second hundred years. But for now, we should take a moment to reflect with pride on the accomplishments of this genuine conservation success story and congratulate it for a job well done.

Again, I commend my good friend, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) for bringing this resolution to the floor; and I commend our chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), and our ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), for their leadership and support of this legislation.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Tanner) to speak in support of the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of House Resolution 173. This resolution recognizes the achievements and contributions of the National Wildlife Refuge System on the occasion of its centennial anniversary and expresses strong support for the continued success of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

On March 14, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt set aside Pelican Island off Florida's east coast to preserve the natural beauty of the islands for future generations. This act gave birth to a vision for America that has become the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Each year, millions of people who share Teddy Roosevelt's passion for the outdoors and his devotion to preserving these places visit and enjoy more than 540 refuges and nearly 100 million acres nationwide all set aside for the wildlife that live and visit these areas and for the people that treasure these natural wonders.

In my Southern New Jersey District, we have much to be thankful for with the trio of jewels that are the Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Salem County, the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Atlantic and Burlington Counties, and the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge in Cape May County. These three refuges provide both a welcome respite for important species who visit in this area as well as places for thousands of visitors to see these species in their natural habitat.

Throughout my service in Congress, I have been proud to work to preserve and enhance these wildlife refuges. However, much of the credit for the hard work of protecting our wildlife refuges must go to the dedicated employees and volunteers at each of our local refuges. Without their dedication and drive, these refuges would not be a living realization off Teddy Roosevelt's dream which began a century ago.

It is my hope that one hundred years from now, those who visit these national treasures are as astounded and inspired by the same beauty that the National Wildlife Refuge System is working so hard to preserve today.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 173) recognizing the achievements and contributions of the National Wildlife Refuge System on the occasion of its centennial anniversary and expressing strong support for the continued success of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution was introduced by our colleagues, the gentlemen from Florida, Mr. Boyd and Mr. Putnam. It celebrates the 100th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

This system of public lands had its humble origins in Sebastian, Florida when in 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt set aside a 5-acre strip of swampland on Pelican Island. Since that time, the system has grown to some 540 units that provide habitat for hundreds of wildlife species and recreational opportunities for millions of Americans.

As a member of the Committee on Resources, I recognize the value of these lands and their importance to the 39 million people who visit a refuge each year to hunt, fish, observe wildlife, photograph them, and engage in conservation education.

It is appropriate that we recognize the refuge system at this important milestone, and I congratulate the Bush administration for requesting the highest level of funding ever for the National Wildlife Refuge System for the upcoming fiscal year. The American people deserve the finest refuge system, and I am committed to the revitalization of this system and to reduce the unacceptable maintenance backlogs of projects that currently exist.

I urge a yea vote on House Resolution 173, and I compliment the authors of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Putnam), the cosponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.