Congressman Ron Kind has been a stalwart champion of bird conservation throughout his tenure representing the people of western Wisconsin’s third Congressional district. He is someone who has understood the need for science and good land management practices to ensure healthy populations of birds. Congressman Kind is keenly aware of how important the environment is to our daily lives and has made conserving our natural heritage one of the hallmarks of his work in Congress. Since arriving in Congress in 1996 and until 2010, he has served on the House Natural Resources Committee and has established leadership in many areas including bird conservation. Though he is no longer serving on the committee, his work to protect and preserve our natural resources continues.
As a life-long resident of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Congressman Kind has always appreciated the beauty of birds and understood the importance of conserving their natural habitat. He is proud to sponsor the organic legislation for Joint Ventures in this Congressional session, H.R. 1917, the Joint Ventures for Bird Habitat Conservation Act. He has always strongly supported the innovative and effective public-private conservation efforts Joint Ventures provide for migratory birds throughout North America. Congressman Kind has also been a champion of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, leading the effort to reauthorize the program which supports the long-term protection of Neotropical migratory birds. In 2005, he also authored legislation to create an e-Duck Stamp, which established the online sale of the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp). This makes it easier for hunters and collectors to purchase their stamps and supports both the sporting industry and the conservation initiatives supported by Duck Stamp revenues.
For his dedication and commitment to the Joint Ventures and his sponsorship and support of critical legislation for bird and habitat conservation, we are honored to present Congressman Kind with the 2012 North American Migratory Bird Joint Venture Conservation Champion Award for a Legislator.
