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August 26, 2005
Volume 3, Number 19
Special Edition
National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses staff members have trekked across the country over the last four weeks to expand relationships with sportsmen and the outdoor industry and educate state legislators about the important role of a strong voice for hunters, trappers and anglers in state capitols.
Citgo Bassmaster Classic
Executive Council President Maryland Senator John Astle, State Caucus Manager Aaron Hobbs, and Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Director of Development Gary Guinn spent three and a half days speaking with the top names in professional bass fishing and NASC supporters during the 2005 Citgo Bassmaster Classic, July 29 – 30 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The NASC team spoke with industry representatives BASS, Pradco Outdoor Brands, Shimano, Triton Boats, UST and Zebco, as well as professional anglers about the mission and goals of the state sportsmen’s caucus program and how it can work on behalf of all sport fishermen across the country.
American Legislative Exchange Council
Senator Astle and Aaron Hobbs were joined by NASC Legislative Coordinator Sidney Allen for their early August travel to Grapevine, Texas in order to spend invaluable time with state legislators at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) annual meeting.
Executive Council Member Texas Representative Ray Allen, Senator Astle, NASC staff, Bass Pro Shops and UST hosted a dinner attended by nearly two dozen sportsmen legislators. Representatives from the California, Maryland, and Texas caucuses, as well as legislators from Kansas, South Carolina and Washington, spent several hours with NASC to get an update on achievements of the first six months and to meet fellow sportsmen legislators. Also integral to NASC’s high profile throughout ALEC was the opportunity for Senator Astle to introduce Rob Sexton of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) during the Natural Resource Committee meetings. Senator Astle spoke about the great relationship between NASC and USSA before Mr. Sexton presented information pertaining to the Families Afield program championed by NASC partners USSA, National Wild Turkey Federation, and National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Future of Hunting in Florida Summit
Stop number three for the NASC in as many weeks was the Future of Hunting in Florida Summit held in Orlando. Sportsmen and women from across the Sunshine State gathered August 11-13 for the summit that was organized by a steering team of leaders from the hunting community. The event served as an opportunity to seriously address the decrease in licensed hunters over the past two decades. Aaron Hobbs spoke on a panel that discussed building a politically strong unified voice for sportsmen in Florida. He was also invited to address the participants during dinner on the work done by NASC and CSF to guarantee sportsmen have a voice in state legislatures and the U.S. Congress. More information about the summit can be found at www.alliedsportsmen.org.
National Conference of State Legislators
The NASC team’s final stop in August was the National Conference of State Legislators held in Seattle, Washington, where the NASC team again hosted a booth to increase awareness among state legislators about state sportsmen’s caucues. NASC spoke with many sportsmen legislators about the tremendous progress made by existing state caucuses and how the organization might assist other legislators eager to form caucuses to be a voice for sportsmen. NASC was approached by interested legislators from Alabama, Alaska, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, and Washington.
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