Legislators and Sportsmen to Meet at Reception

(Columbus) - The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA) will host a legislative reception for the members of Ohio's Congressional Delegations and General Assembly with state sportsman leaders on March 10, 2009. The event is part of the organization's annual effort to connect Ohio's sportsmen's community with state and federal legislators.

The reception will be March 10 at the Athletic Club of Columbus from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. The Athletic Club is located at 136 E. Broad St. in downtown Columbus. Legislators will use the informal atmosphere as an opportunity meet opinion leaders from prominent sportsmen's organizations, statewide.

The 2009 Legislative Reception comes at an opportune time, as control of the Ohio House of Representatives has shifted party hands, meaning that there are many new faces controlling key committees and influencing policy that can affect sportsmen. Additionally, the new state budget was recently introduced and sportsmen must ensure that sportsmen's license dollars are not diverted to fund other non-conservation programs.

Sponsors of the Legislative Reception include Gander Mountain, the Ohio State Council of Pheasants Forever, Whitetails Unlimited, Buckeye Firearms Association, the Safari Club Chapters of Ohio, the Ohio State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Ohio State Trappers Association.

Joining these prominent sportsmen's organizations and sporting good businesses in underwriting the cost of the event are the leadership of the general assembly. Legislative sponsors are Assistant Majority Whip Allan Sayre on behalf of the House Democrats, Minority Leader Bill Batchelder on behalf of the House Republicans, and Minority Leader Capri Cafaro, on behalf of the Senate Democrats.

"We are especially proud of these sponsorships because it demonstrates that our legislators value dialogue with Ohio sportsmen as much as we are looking forward to meeting with them," said Rob Sexton, USSA's vice president for government affairs.

The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen's organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.