PRINTER'S NO. 1651
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
314
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY SCAVELLO, BREWSTER, BAKER, TEPLITZ, SABATINA,
DINNIMAN, FONTANA, EICHELBERGER, BARTOLOTTA, GREENLEAF,
COSTA, RESCHENTHALER, ARGALL, TARTAGLIONE, RAFFERTY, KITCHEN,
VULAKOVICH, FOLMER, BROWNE, McILHINNEY, YUDICHAK AND HUGHES,
MARCH 22, 2016
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MARCH 22, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Congratulating the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission on 150
years of service to the Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, A convention held in Harrisburg to investigate water
pollution and the halting of American Shad runs by dams on the
Susquehanna River resulted in Governor Andrew Curtin signing the
act of March 30, 1866, establishing what is known today as the
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission; and
WHEREAS, Over the last 150 years, the commission has evolved
from a one-man operation supported solely by the General Fund to
a professional agency funded primarily by anglers and boaters
through license and registration fees and the Federal excise
taxes on fishing and boating equipment; and
WHEREAS, With the guiding philosophy of "Resource First," the
commission protects, conserves and enhances this Commonwealth's
aquatic resources while provide fishing and boating
opportunities; and
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WHEREAS, The commission provides the public with some of the
best recreational fishing and boating in the United States; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 1.1 million anglers and more than 3
million boaters enjoy Pennsylvania's waters each year,
generating $1.2 billion in annual fishing-related expenditures;
and
WHEREAS, Section 27 of Article I of the Constitution of
Pennsylvania provides:
The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to
the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and
esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public
natural resources are the common property of all the
people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of
these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and
maintain them for the benefit of all the people;
and
WHEREAS, With more than 86,000 miles of streams and nearly
4,000 lakes, ponds and reservoirs in the state, this
Commonwealth's aquatic resources are extensive, rich and
diverse; and
WHEREAS, The commission is responsible for managing and
safeguarding both aquatic habitat and species resources;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate congratulate the Pennsylvania Fish
and Boat Commission on 150 years of service to the Commonwealth
and wish the agency well as it embarks on another 150 years of
service to the Commonwealth, its aquatic resources and our rich
recreational fishing and boating heritage.
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