Bob Latta

Ann Arbor, Michigan- The conservation organization Ducks Unlimited received the 2009 Lake Erie Award for an outstanding organization at the fall meeting of the Lake Erie Commission in Oregon, Ohio. The award is given to an organization that made outstanding contributions to enhance Ohio's Great Lake.

"Lake Erie is an exceptional resource," said Roy Kroll, manager of conservation programs and the Southwest Lake Erie Lands Protection Strategy at Ducks Unlimited. "Ducks Unlimited is proud to accept this award on behalf of all the partners, private landowners, and DU members working to restore and protect its watersheds. We encourage new partners, whether groups or individuals, to join us in our continuing efforts in conservation."

Ducks Unlimited (DU) has designated Lake Erie as a conservation priority area. Programs focus on the long-term protection of important and threatened wetland habitat, primarily for migratory birds and wetland-dependent wildlife.

Ohio Congressman Bob Latta acknowledged DU achievements in the area. "As a lifelong sportsman, and on behalf of all sportsmen in Ohio's Fifth Congressional District, I would like to congratulate Ducks Unlimited for receiving the 2009 Ohio Lake Erie Award. Ducks Unlimited works tirelessly to ensure sportsmen across Ohio can continue to enjoy the rich traditions of hunting by promoting and practicing conservation policies that protect and preserve our valuable natural resources. It is only fitting that the time and effort put forth by Ducks Unlimited and its members be recognized with this prestigious award. Because of their extraordinary efforts, Ducks Unlimited continues to protect our proud traditions can so that they can be passed along to future generations of sportsmen."

Programs at Ducks Unlimited also focus on the acquisition of existing or restorable coastal habitat for inclusion into state or federal wildlife areas.

"DU has played a crucial role in conserving and restoring habitat in the Lake Erie region, which is truly one of the most important waterfowl areas in North America" said Marcy Kaptur (Ohio) "The marshes and wetlands along the Lake Erie shoreline are precious jewels in the 'Emerald Necklace' of greenspace around the western basin. As a leader in stewardship and conservation, DU is certainly a most worthy recipient of the Lake Erie Award."

Since 1985, DU has invested approximately $12.3 million in the Lake Erie watershed for wetlands conservation. DU has partnered with the Ohio Division of Wildlife on almost every large wetland owned by the Division in the watershed, including Metzger's Marsh, Magee Marsh, Pickerel Creek, Pipe Creek, Grand River, Mosquito Creek and Mallard Club wildlife areas. In addition, DU has worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service on multiple wetland restorations within Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge complex. DU has also partnered with other conservation organizations, land conservancies, private landowners and sporting clubs throughout the Lake Erie Watershed to effectively implement wetland conservation on the landscape.

For more information on Ducks Unlimited's work in the Lake Erie Watershed go to http://www.ducks.org/Conservation/GLARO/3727/PriorityAreas.html#erie

“Today marks the one year anniversary of American Energy Freedom Day.  President George W. Bush rescinded a 20 year old restriction on energy leasing in 85 percent of American waters known as the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) on October 1, 2008. 

One year later, the Obama Administration including Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar are looking to delay the proposed plan for an additional three years.  This is especially frustrating because it takes over four years to begin production on an oil or gas lease, with the total process taking up to 10 years when all of the environmental permitting, National Environmental Policy Act analysis, drilling permits, drilling, building infrastructure and producing the oil or natural gas is completed.

The OCS is estimated to have reserves of 86 billion barrels of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (tcf), and currently provides 23 percent of America’s natural gas resources and 30 percent of our oil resources.

According to a recent study by the Heritage Foundation, increasing domestic production by 1 million barrels alone would reduce imported petroleum costs by $123 billion and generate an additional $7.7 billion in economic activity.  The study shows that the net gain to the economy would be $105 billion and that the impact on employment would be an increase of 128,000 jobs. Research from the American Energy Alliance shows that increasing OCS production could sustain, in total, about 1.2 million new, full times jobs per year over 30 years, in addition to $8 trillion in economic output and $70 billion in additional wages. 

The OCS is the first step in a long process for the United States to become energy independent, specifically from Middle Eastern countries.  Not only will the OCS provide us with the energy our nation needs for many years, it will also serve as an economic catalyst to jump start our economy.  I am encouraging President Obama and his administration to move forward as quickly as possible in opening the OCS for drilling and recovery.”

(as featured on The Heritage Foundation's Blog "The Foundry")

http://blog.heritage.org/2009/09/17/guest-blogger-congressman-robert-latta-r-oh-on-constitution-day/

I have always been thankful that so many of our country’s greatest leaders and statesmen were able to be on this earth at the same time and place to draft the Constitution. As a lifelong student of history and government, we were blessed as a nation to have individuals that put self-interest and sectionalism aside to debate, argue, draft and sign the Constitution. Our Constitution has been that beacon upon the hill, that guiding star at night, and that shining city that millions of persons around the word have longed to be guided by within their own countries.

It is my privilege to have introduced H. Res. 734 honoring the Constitution of the United States and the freedoms and rights it has given to every American. Today, the Constitution is not read or studied by enough Americans. I am sure that many people would tell you that some early Americans got together and with the wave of the hand produced the document. I am sure it would be with disbelief to many to find out how it took four hard and acrimonious months from May to September 17, 1787, to actually bring fruition to their labor. The citizens that attended the Convention in Philadelphia were some of our greatest scholars of government and history; Madison, Franklin, Hamilton, Morris, and Washington were just a few of these men. James Madison had studied many forms of government from the ancients to the nations of his day. He reached out to others not only for their opinions but to citizens from around the country. Discussion, debate, and compromise all were the order of the Convention.

Many different ideas were brought to the Convention. Were they only empowered to amend the Articles of Confederation? Could they go further and start from scratch? Many a discussion was held in Philadelphia’s boarding houses and taverns. These members began debates on creating three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. Madison brought his ideas while others had theirs. There was no air conditioning. Secrecy of the proceedings mandated that all windows and doors be shut. The summer days were hot and tempers flared. But through it all, they worked. These men knew that they would be creating a document for a nation and the ages. A new nation was being watched by the powers of the world. Would this new democracy survive, or would it succumb to infighting and intrigue? Fortunately for us, cooler heads would prevail when impasses occurred. Recesses and adjournments would be called. Personally, I marvel at these giants. Strong willed men would discuss and agree to points that they would not have had it not been for the persuasive and well reasoned arguments that were presented. No one received everything they wanted, and some even went home- but the majority of them stayed to give us our Constitution. It was reported that Benjamin Franklin was asked what (you) have given us. He is said to have replied, “A Republic, if you can keep it.”

After the document was signed on September17, 1787, the next massive task began. The Constitution had to be ratified. The men returned to their states to explain why the Constitution should be ratified. Speeches were made, debates were held, letters were written, and people were persuaded. In true American style, nothing came easy. Today’s citizens should look for guidance from our forefathers. Let all Americans sit down and read this great document. Since the Constitution’s ratification, it has been the framework for our great nation. Not only did great men bring it forth, but for two hundred twenty-two years this Constitution has been paid for by hundreds of thousands of lives- the lives of our brave military men and women. Let the living give thanks to our honored dead who have paid the ultimate sacrifice that the Constitution of the United States remains our guiding light.

Yesterday I joined Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK), Ranking Member on the House Committee on Agriculture, and other House Republicans to voice my opposition to H.R. 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009.  In short, this bill would give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unprecedented authority and oversight to further regulate our nation’s agriculture and livestock industry.  In addition to the policies within this bill, the House Democrat Majority is attempting to sidestep the legislative process and rush this bill to the House floor for a vote. 

I will continue to voice my opposition to this bill and call for full Agriculture Committee hearings. 

Dear Colleague,
 
I am writing to express my opposition to legislation (H.R. 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009) scheduled to be considered under suspension of the rules this week.
 
Our nation has the safest food supply in the world. Even so, we must continually examine our food production and regulatory system, and move forward with changes that improve food safety. But to do so without thoughtful and careful deliberation is simply irresponsible. H.R. 2749 is the result of a flawed and incomplete process. It will lead to huge regulatory burdens on our nation’s farmers and ranchers, and it contains very little that will actually contribute to the goal of safer food.
 
H.R. 2749 is another expansion of federal power without the benefit of careful consideration. This is the stimulus package, cap and trade, and – soon – the health care bill all over again. This legislation was rolled out in draft form and marked up in the Energy and Commerce Committee over a couple of weeks just last month.
 
And, despite a clear jurisdictional claim, the Majority of the House Agriculture Committee did not demand a referral of the bill, did not conduct hearings on its provisions, and did not allow the Committee to work its will to make improvements. During a recent Committee hearing on the general topic of food safety, not a single producer witness would support this bill in its current form. The failure to act is a stunning failure on the part of our Majority to fulfill our legislative responsibility.
 
One provision of particular concern would mandate the Food and Drug Administration to set on-farm production performance standards. For the first time, we would have the federal government prescribing how our farmers and ranchers will grow crops.
 
Farming, the growing of crops and raising of livestock, is the first organized activity pursued by man. We have been doing it for a long time. And we have been doing it without the FDA.
 
Farming and ranching is an immensely complex endeavor involving a vast range of processes. Imagine every food you can. Now consider the varied growing regions – California, Florida, Minnesota, Texas, Hawaii, Kansas and my home state of Oklahoma. Now consider the various ways farmers produce crops: some raising commodities, others growing to detailed contract specifications, some are organic farmers, others are producers committed to sustainable practices, and some are very small farming operations producing food for increasingly lucrative local markets.
 
Now, imagine that the federal government is going to dictate how all of that is done. I think you have a pretty good idea of the chaos that is going to ensue.
 
There are other problems in the bill as well – new penalties, recordkeeping requirements, traceability, federal license to operate, licensing fees, country-of-origin labeling – all of these things do absolutely nothing to prevent food borne disease outbreaks, but will do plenty to keep federal bureaucrats busy. These are issues that can be worked out through the normal legislative process, but only if there is a process.
 
H.R. 2749 should not be considered under suspension of the rules. It should be referred to the House Committee on Agriculture, we should have hearings to consider its provisions, and we should make the appropriate improvements. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to not suspend the rules and to vote against H.R. 2749.
 
Our nation’s farmers, ranchers, packers, processors, retailers, and consumers deserve better.
 
Sincerely,
 
/s/
 
Frank D. Lucas (R-OK)
Ranking Member

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