AKTI Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and Its Work to Foster Conservation, Hunting and Fishing
Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) January 07, 2015 -- The American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) participated in the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). AKTI is bringing attention to CSF’s quarter-century of service.
CSF became the sportsmen’s voice and a permanent presence in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 7, 1989. The Foundation was started initially to provide advice, support and information for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC; http://www.sportsmenslink.org). In its 25-year history, the organization has provided a unique niche to ensure the voice of American sportsmen and women is always heard in the halls of government.
The CSF anniversary celebration took place in the nation’s capital, and, according to organizers, featured one of the largest bipartisan gatherings of Congressional members. The 65 legislators were joined by conservation leaders, including representatives from the hunting, angling, and recreational shooting industries.
The occasion was the foundation’s largest annual event for 2014; its theme was “Yesterday’s Achievement’s, Tomorrow’s Aspirations.” The gathering provided an opportunity for members and supporters “to reflect on and celebrate 25 years of successful policy-making and plans for future opportunities to advance the interests of America’s sportsmen and women in the House and Senate,” organizers said.
The American Knife & Tool Institute (http://www.AKTI.org) was a special featured guest during the 25th Anniversary Luncheon, sponsored by Entergy Corporation. Leadership and partners discussed a variety of priorities in the sportsmen’s community. CSF President Jeff Crane stated, “This is our opportunity to thank them for all their hard work and dedication to advancing the heritage of America’s sportsmen and women, and keeping hunting, angling, and recreational shooting a priority.”
CJ Buck, Buck Knives and AKTI Vice President and legislative chair, presented CSF President Crane with a plaque commemorating the historic anniversary.
“The American Knife & Tool Institute sincerely appreciates the outstanding leadership and commitment of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation,” said Buck. “The CSF (http://www.sportsmenslink.org) has provided invaluable assistance to AKTI in our efforts to keep knives in American lives. CSF members understand the importance of having reasonable and responsible knife laws that protect the knife owner.”
AKTI has actively worked with caucus members in several states to clarify or repeal knife laws.
Responding to AKTI’s presentation, Crane said: “We greatly appreciate the partnerships we have with the sportsmen’s and other outdoor organizations that come together to protect and advance the rights of sportsmen and women. AKTI works on a very important piece of the sportsmen’s heritage, allowing us to carry and use our everyday knives in states across the country. With just slight regulations, those rights could be lost.”
Buck, along with Jan Billeb, AKTI Executive Director, and other Board of Regent, members attended the luncheon as the foundation’s guests.
“We are delighted to have an excellent partnership with CSF and were very pleased for the opportunity to acknowledge their successes,” said Executive Director Billeb.
To learn more about the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, visit http://www.sportsmenslink.org. For information about the American Knife & Tool Institute visit AKTI.org or http://www.Facebook.com/SaveOurKnives.
ABOUT: The American Knife & Tool Institute, based in Cody, WY, is the non-profit advocacy organization for the knife industry and all knife owners. Its mission is to ensure that Americans will always be able to make, buy, sell, own, carry and use knives and edged tools. Formed in 1998, AKTI is dedicated to educating, promoting and providing relevant and accurate information about knives and edged tools as important tools in daily American life.
Jan Billeb - Executive Director, American Knife & Tool Institute, http://www.AKTI.org, +1 (307) 587-8296, [email protected]
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