Outdoor Industry Association is presenting its Friend of the Outdoor Industry award to Senator Patty Murray today to honor her strong leadership on the Wild Sky Wilderness proposal. OIA is presenting the award during their annual visit to D.C. when industry leaders meet with policymakers to engage in conversation about policy and its effect on the outdoor recreation industry.
“We are very impressed with Senator Murray's efforts to pass the Wild Sky Wilderness proposal through the Senate,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of Outdoor Industry Association. “The Wild Sky Area is an outstanding wild recreation destination that deserves Wilderness protection. Murray's work on this issue has shown her to be a true champion for our industry.”
The Wild Sky area in Washington state's scenic Skykomish valley has incredible recreation opportunities which would be adversely affected by road building or development. This legislation is a model for smart Wilderness proposals, incorporating concerns and needs of local groups, while ensuring that the important wilderness qualities are protected. The Senate passed this legislation last year.
“I am truly honored to receive this award from Outdoor Industry Association. OIA's support for Wild Sky has been a critical component in establishing this area as a destination for future generations to hike, fish, ride, camp, climb, and enjoy the great outdoors. Now is the time for every member of the delegation to get behind this proposal to help us reach the mountaintop this year, said Senator Patty Murray.”
With growing obesity levels, participation in human-powered outdoor recreation is increasingly important to America as a solution to the health crisis. More than 69% of the U.S. population, or 149 million people, participate in outdoor activities each year. According to a recent state by state participation trend report by OIA, 3,309,763 Washington residents participate in outdoor recreation, representing almost 73% of the state's population.
Industry leaders including top executives from Washington state-based companies REI and Cascade Designs, as well as the CFO of The North Face, and president of Outdoor Industry Association will present the award to Senator Murray at the Friend of the Outdoor Industry Reception at the National Geographic Society at 6:30pm on Wednesday, March 31, 2004.
In addition, Outdoor Industry Association is presenting its Friend of the Outdoor Industry award to Representative Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) to honor his leadership in efforts to increase funding for the Conservation Trust Fund. Boehlert's work represented one of the most significant efforts last year to hold Congress to its original commitment to this critical program for conservation and recreation. OIA is presenting the award during their annual visit to D.C. when industry leaders meet with policymakers to engage in conversation about policy and its effect on the outdoor recreation industry.
“The Conservation Trust Fund was developed to provide new and important dollars for protecting and enhancing outdoor recreation experiences critical to the millions of Americans who are our customers,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of Outdoor Industry Association. “Congress has since stepped backed form the deal but Congressman Boehlert has shown significant leadership in his fight for the Conservation Trust Fund and is a true champion for our industry and a friend of outdoor recreation.”
The 6-year, $12 billion deal gave a significant boost to recreation programs such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Urban Park Recreation and Recovery Program, a backlog maintenance account and promised increased dollars for these vital programs through 2006.
“The efforts of the Outdoor Industry Association are critical to our larger goals as a nation of maintaining our national parks and improving each of our communities, said Rep. Boehlert. “Outdoor Industry Association's partnership, in coordination with my efforts to preserve our nation's natural, cultural and recreational resources will ensure that future generations of American can enjoy all that our beautiful parks and wildlife programs have to offer.”
With growing obesity levels, participation in human-powered outdoor recreation is increasingly important to America as a solution to the health crisis. More than 69% of the U.S. population, or 149 million people, participate in outdoor activities each year. According to a recent state by state participation trend report by OIA, 9,943,775 New Yorkers participate in outdoor recreation, representing over 67% of the state's population.
Industry leaders including the vice president of New York-based Johnson Outdoors, CFO of The North Face, president of REI and president of Outdoor Industry Association will present the award to Rep. Boehlert at 8:30 am in room 2325 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
Senator Patty Murray will also be recognized with the 2004 award for her effort to create the Wild Sky Wilderness Area in Washington State.
This is the fourth year the Outdoor Industry has recognized and honored policymakers who are making good decisions for the industry, the outdoors and Americans.
Last year the awards were presented to Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-CT) and Rep. David Obey (D-WI) in 2002 the honors went to Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA) and in 2001 Rep. George Miller (D-CA) and Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH) were recognized.
