2025 Regular Session - Day 24 - Citation, Rep. Mitchum Whitaker

Mr Speaker on behalf of all the sportsmen in this body and across the Commonwealth I rise today to commend the outdoorsmen of our Commonwealth and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the national sportfish restoration act as part of the American model of wildlife conservation for Generations fishing has been more than just a Pastime it has been a Cornerstone of our outdoor Heritage a driver of local economies and a force for environmental stewardship this act recognized the importance of preserving our Waters supporting responsible fishing practices and ensuring that future Generations can experience the thrill of casting a line into a well stock lake or a rolling River Mr Speaker our greatest conservationists have always been our hunters and fishermen in 1950 they realized that fishing populations fish populations were in Peril and took it upon themselves to fund their restoration through excise taxes on fishing equipment here in Kentucky that has led to over $120 million and conservation funding that's funded the stocking of over 100 million fish and built over 160 boat ramps in our Commonwealth this act is a testament to the balance we can achieve between Recreation and sustainability as we mark this Milestone let us reaffirm our commitment to protecting our natural resources supporting our fishing communities and ensuring that this Joy of sport fishing remains a proud Kentucky tradition for another 75 years and Beyond with that Mr Speaker I move adoption of legislative citation number 63