House Resolution 25

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE MISSISSIPPI CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION FOR THE WORK OF ITS TIRELESS VOLUNTEERS AND MEMBERS WHO HAVE RETURNED OVER $1,400,000.00 TO THE STATE.

WHEREAS, the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) supports scientific wildlife management on public, private and corporate lands, as well as wild turkey hunting, as a traditional North American Sport; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Chapter of the NWTF is composed of 10,000 tireless volunteers and members who have worked hard to return over $1,400,000.00 to this state and to carry out its mission statement "conservation of the wild turkey and preservation of the hunting tradition"; and

WHEREAS, the money generated was used at the national, state and local levels for projects that directly or indirectly benefit wild turkeys and turkey hunting; and

WHEREAS, in 2006, the Mississippi chapters used the money to provide 15 scholarships to graduating high school seniors, host five women in various outdoors events, host 29 disabled youth in hunting with celebrities, allocated $5,000.00 for Wheelin' Sportsmen Events, donated 48 frozen turkeys to needy families and many more independent community projects; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi chapters also work in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) to provide clover seed to wildlife management areas statewide, to purchase mechanical decoys for MDWFP, to make reward payments for reporting wild turkey violations, to provide Conservation Officer of the Year awards and donate $2,500.00 to the Mississippi Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend organizations that educate our youth and preserve our precious wildlife and natural resources:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the Mississippi Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation for the work of its tireless volunteers and members who have returned over $1,400,000.00 to the state.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Mississippi Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.