Recreational Fishing and Boating honors Rep. Jeff Miller as Conservationist of the Year
WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) was honored by the Center for Coastal Conservation with its Conservationist of the Year Award. The award is presented annually to a public official leading stewardship efforts for America’s marine resources.
“Jeff Miller is a stalwart champion for America’s natural resources,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Coastal Conservation. “He understands that sportsmen were the original conservationists and has led outdoor enthusiasts in the Congress.”
Miller was the lead author of the Billfish Conservation Act, which became law in 2012. It was one of the few bills to make it through the legislative process in that tough political year. He is also the lead author of the Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Conservation Act, which solves the difficult challenges in that controversial fishery.
Accepting the award during the Center’s annual legislative conference, the congressman spoke to the unity of the sportsmen’s community.
“America’s anglers and hunters share a common bond,” said Miller. “Sportsmen and women have led the way in conservation for decades. I’m honored to play a role in these important legislative efforts.”
Miller is the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and hails from Florida’s First Congressional District. His home is Pensacola. He chaired the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus during the 112th Congress; the bi-partisan CSC counts over 300 members of Congress in both chambers from both parties.
Recent recipients of the Center’s Conservationist of the Year award include Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam); Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.); Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.), and Sen. David Vitter (R-La.).
The Center for Coastal Conservation brings under a single umbrella the leading advocates for marine recreational fishing and boating. The organization promotes sound conservation and use of America’s ocean resources by backing federal legislators who support its goals. For more information, visit CoastalConservation.US.
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