It is in the spirit of this environmental cohesiveness that I congratulate the Izaak Walton League of America, which this year celebrates its 75th anniversary. Many conservation organizations work to serve the interests of both hunting and the environment, but I believe that none has done a better job of wearing both hats than the Izaak Walton League. Here in Minnesota, the Ikes have been ardent supporters of all the state's major environmental works, from the Save the Wetlands Program that began in the early 1950s to the creation of the Natural Resources and Environment Trust Fund in recent years. The Ikes were also the driving force behind the creation of the Agassiz, Tamarac, and Hamden Slough national wildlife refuges. In October of this year, the Ikes released a report with the Clean Water Fund documenting the environmental harm of Minnesota's coal-burning plants the single largest source of harmful air emissions in the state.
Air pollution threatens human health.
It also deteriorates forests, lakes, and other environments. Hats off to the Izaak Walton League of America. May it continue to inspire hunters and environmentalists for another 75 years. All rights reserved.