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House. Game and Fisheries Committee

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1967 - Present

biographical statement

The Game and Fisheries Committee was established to protect, propagate, manage and preserve the game and wildlife of Pennsylvania. Several species of wildlife including the white-tailed deer, the black bear, the wild turkey, the elk, and the peregrine falcon have endured numerous and potentially dangerous changes in Pennsylvania’s landscape through the conservation efforts of the committee. These efforts are essential to the fiscal vitality of the state, as our wildlife serves as a key attraction to out-of-state tourists and a valuable natural resource that contributes to the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians. The Committee on Game and Fisheries works to conserve and maintain these natural resources for the benefit of all people, as they provide an array of recreational opportunities and improve the aesthetics of most outdoor setting. The Committee works closely with both the Fish and Boat Commission and the Game Commission to devise beneficial legislation and conduct public hearings.

Since the Committee acquired its current title in 1967, the Game and Fisheries Committee has taken many steps to overhaul and improve formerly existing policies regarding everything from hunting to nuclear power. The Committee has recodified the Pennsylvania Game Laws, improved wildlife habitats and stream quality, and made personal watercraft safety a chief concern. In addition, several public hearings have been held through the years regarding an increase to fishing and hunting license fees. The Committee has also regulated turkey-hunting safety by requiring hunters to wear “blaze orange” attire to protect themselves and others while outdoors.

Found in 20 Collections and/or Records:

Game and Fisheries Committee, 1979-1980

 Collection
Identifier: ST1979_09
Scope and Contents

This Collection contains the records of the Game and Fisheries Committee for the 1979-1980 session. Republicans in Majority. William W. Foster (R) served as Chair and Clarence E. Dietz (R) served as Vice-chair with Terry L. Punt served as Secretary. Topics discussed included but not limited to; Licensing, Fees and Disabled Persons Accessability.

Dates: 1979-1980

Game and Fisheries Committee, 1981-1982

 Collection
Identifier: ST1981_09
Scope and Contents

The records of the 1981-1982 Game and Fisheries Committee, the Republicans in the majority. William W. Foster (R) served as Chairman, Clarence E. Dietz (R) served as Vice-Chairman, and Marilyn S. Lewis (R) served as Secretary. Some of the issues discussed by the committee were bear hunting, nonresident fishing licenses, and the purchase of game land.

Dates: 1981-1982

Game and Fisheries Committee, 1983-1984

 Collection
Identifier: ST1983_09
Scope and Contents This collection contains the records of the Game and Fisheries Committee of 1983-1984, the Democrats in Majority. The Majority Chairman was Russel P. Letterman (D) and the Minority Chairman was William W. Foster (R). The Majority Vice-Chairman was Thomas Tigue (D) and the Minority Vice-Chairman was Clarence E. Dietz (R). The Secretary was Michael C. Gruitza (D). Some major topics of discussion were operations of watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, fees...
Dates: 1983-1984

Game and Fisheries Committee, 1989-1990

 Collection
Identifier: ST1989_09
Scope and Contents

The 1989-1990 Session of the Game and Fisheries Committee was chaired by Russell Letterman (Democrat) of the Majority. Michael Gruitza (Majority) served as Vice Chair and Curtis Bowley (Majority) served as Secretary. Paul Wass served as Minority Chair while Bruce Smith served as Minority Vice Chair. There was no Minority Secretary.

Dates: 1989-1990

Game and Fisheries Committee, 1991-1992

 Collection
Identifier: ST1991_10
Scope and Contents

The 1991-1992 Session of the Game and Fisheries Committee was chaired by Thomas J. Fee (Democrat) of the Majority. Michael C. Gruitza (Majority) served as Vice Chair and Michael Kelly Hanna, Sr. (Majority) served as Secretary. Leonardo Quirico Gruppo served as Minority Chair while Bruce I. Smith Jr. served as Minority Vice Chair. There was no Minority Secretary.

Dates: 1991-1992

Game and Fisheries Committee, 1993-1994

 Collection
Identifier: ST1993_10
Scope and Contents

The records of the Game and Fisheries Committee from the 1993-1994 session, the Democrats in majority. The Chairs were Thomas J. Fee (Majority) and Merle H. Phillips (Minority). The Vice Chairs were Michael C. Gruitza (Majority) and Robert W. Godshall (Minority). The Secretary was Dan A. Surra (Majority).

Dates: 1993-1994

Game and Fisheries Committee, 1995-1996

 Collection
Identifier: ST1995_09
Scope and Contents

The Game and Fisheries Committee records from the 1995-1996 session, the Republicans in the Majority. The Chairs were Bruce Smith, Jr. (Majority) and Michael C. Gruitza (Minority). The Vice Chairs were Teresa E. Brown (Majority) and Edward G. Staback (Minority). The Secretary was Patricia Carone (Majority).

Dates: 1995-1996

Game and Fisheries Committee, 1997-1998

 Collection
Identifier: ST1997_09
Scope and Contents The Game and Fisheries Committee records from the 1997-1998 session, the Republicans in the Majority. The Chairs were Bruce I. Smith Jr. (Majority) and Gaynor Cawley (Minority). The Vice Chairs were Theresa E. Brown (Majority) and Edward G. Staback (Minority). The Secretaries were Scott E. Hutchinson (Majority) and Thomas F. Yewcic (Minority). It also includes information about meetings, tours, and public hearings as well as informational meetings of the Subcommittee on the Hunting License...
Dates: 1997-1998

Game and Fisheries Committee, 1999-2000

 Collection
Identifier: ST1999_09
Scope and Contents

The 1999-2000 Session Game and Fisheries Committee was a Republican Majority, with Chairs Bruce I. Smith, Jr. (Majority) and Gaynor Cawley (Minority). Vice Chairs were Teresa E. Forcier (Majority) and Edward G. Staback (Minority). Scott E. Hutchinson (Majority) and Thomas F. Yewcic (Minority) served as Secretaries.

Dates: 1999-2000; Other: Date acquired: 12/11/1999

Game and Fisheries Committee, 2001-2002

 Collection
Identifier: ST2001_10
Scope and Contents During the 2001-2002 Legislative Session the Game and Fish Committee conducted meetings, hearings, and tours related to wildlife management and related issues. The Committee paid special attention to Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, in trout, hatcheries in Pennsylvania, licenses and permits, wild turkey hunting, deer management, elk and black bears.Very little supporting material was supplied with the 2001-2002 Game and Fisheries Committee papers. The vast majority of this...
Dates: 2001-2002