A senate RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE the National Wild Turkey Federation UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS fiftieth ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND the organization FOR ITS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE nation AND THE PEOPLE AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize the National Wild Turkey Federation for its contributions to scientific wildlife management, research, and habitat conservation as it celebrates this important milestone; and

Whereas, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Inc. was incorporated on March 28, 1973 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and moved its headquarters to Edgefield that same year; and

Whereas, over the course of fifty years, the National Wild Turkey Federation and millions of members and chapters across the nation have worked with state, federal, and nongovernmental partners to promote the conversation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage, participating in one of the greatest conservation success stories in American history, the return of the wild turkey from the brink of extinction; and

Whereas, the National Wild Turkey Federation, its members, and chapters have been at the vanguard of reversing declining hunting participation through nationwide investment in hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation efforts, partnering with states to develop opportunities to engage people from all walks of life in the outdoors tradition; and

Whereas, since 2012, the National Wild Turkey Federation has recruited and reactivated more than one and a half million hunters; and

Whereas, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested more than half a billion dollars to conserve or enhance more than twenty-two million acres of critical wildlife habitat, forests, and grasslands across public and private lands since 1985; and

Whereas, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested more than eight and a half million dollars in research throughout North America to ensure healthy wild turkey populations in the future; and

Whereas, the National Wild Turkey Federation is the largest and longest-serving nongovernmental stewardship partner of the USDA Forest Service, conserving habitat on National Forest Lands for more than forty years. The federation has been heavily engaged in the development and implementation of the USDA's Wildfire Crisis Strategy; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the dedication and commitment of the National Wild Turkey Federation to serving the people and the State of South Carolina. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate the National Wild Turkey Federation upon the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary and commend the organization for its many years of dedicated service to the nation and the people and the State of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the National Wild Turkey Federation.

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