|
|
 |
|
Senator Moore named 2005 “Mass. Sportsman Senator” |
|
BOSTON, April 19, 2005 - Senator Richard T. Moore has been honored by the primary statewide-umbrella organization that represents 180-plus local sportsmen’s clubs of Massachusetts as recipient of the 2005 “Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Senator” Award. The coveted award, presented by the Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council, cited Senator Moore for his “legislative work and support of matters of interest to the sportsmen and sportswomen of the Commonwealth.” Mike Moss of Sutton, Sportsmen’s Council President, praised the veteran lawmaker for consistently voting to protect the rights of hunters and sportsmen. Senator Moore, Moss noted, is also among the legislative leaders promoting recreational use of outdoors natural resources, including protecting the Inland Fish and Game Fund from being raided to bail out the state’s general fund during the recent fiscal crisis. In accepting the award, Senator Moore praised the Council for its leadership in protecting the environment and their advocacy of wildlife management programs. Senator Moore was presented the award at the Council’s annual banquet at the Chester P. Tuttle American Legion Post in Auburn, last Saturday night. The Sportsmen’s Council serves as a strong, unified voice to preserve the rights of Massachusetts sportsmen, sportswomen, and other conservationists with a shared interest in protecting and enhancing the state’s natural resources. Since 1929, it has represented thousands of citizens concerned with man’s fragile relationship with the out-of-doors. This sportsmen- and women-funded account Inland Fish and Game Account is the primary source of funding of wildlife restoration and management efforts. Keeping the Fund in tact preserves more than $4 million in federal matching funds. Together with hunting and fishing license receipts, the Fund is used to protect open space and non-game endangered species as well a stocking fish, pheasants, turkeys and other game for recreational fishing and hunting. The state’s Division of Fisheries and Wildlife receives about 90 percent of its operating budget from the Inland Fish and Game Fund. This funding contributes to the conservation and management of the state's wild plant and animal heritage, which were at dangerously low levels a century ago. Today, the state's deer population exceeds 80,000, black bear numbers almost 2,000, the population of wild turkey has been restored and the bald eagle has returned from the brink of extinction. Senator Moore’s House colleague, Representative Mark Carron of Southbridge, received the Council’s 2005 “Massachusetts Sportsman Representative” Award for his work in promoting restoration of trapping beavers which have caused so much property damage in recent years. |
