Safari Club International Members Visit Capitol Hill to Discuss Key Issues Over 100 Members Meet with Congress
Washington, DC – Over 100 Safari Club International (SCI) members met with Members of Congress on the Hill today in conjunction with SCI’s annual May Board meeting in Washington, DC. In more than 180 meetings, SCI members brought the voice of the hunting and conservation community to the Hill, advocating on issues of importance to SCI and its members.
SCI’s advocacy, firmly rooted in sound science of wildlife conservation, focused on a number of key legislative priorities including several regulatory issues, federal plans that affect management, conservation and hunting access on public lands, in particular the federal management of the polar bear.
“SCI, the leader in protecting and expanding the freedom to hunt, is engaged in advocacy on both the state and federal levels. It is important that our members’ voices be heard at the federal legislative level on issues that affect the SCI community,” said SCI President Merle Shepard.
“SCI has been a strong advocate for protecting recreational access to our public lands for families and sportsmen throughout the country. Their members understand the important balance of making land use compatible with conservation,” said Congressman Doc Hastings (R-Wash). “As Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, I look forward to working with SCI to promote land access, wildlife conservation and the need to restore Americans’ Second Amendment rights in national parks.”
SCI’s “Lobby Day” begins with a breakfast briefing from congressional leaders. Ranking Member Hastings was joined at the SCI Congressional Breakfast Briefing by Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR) who is Vice Chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus for the House of Representatives and freshman Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-CA).
After the briefing, SCI members dispersed to meetings in all corners of the Capitol complex. They discussed the organization’s accomplishments and goals not only in government affairs, but also in conservation efforts and humanitarian activities. SCI and Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) fund, support, and manage worldwide programs dedicated to wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian services.
“SCI appreciates the opportunity to discuss our concerns regarding pending legislation and regulatory efforts with our Members of Congress. We look forward to working with Congress and the administration on key issues to the hunter conservationist community” concluded Shepard.
