Speech: Director Steve Williams Before the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation

February 27, 2002

It is a pleasure to be here with you. This is my first meeting with members of Congress since my swearing-in as Fish and Wildlife Service Director and I'm glad that it is with the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. I say that not only because I am a sportsman myself, but also because I appreciate the fact that the sportsmen and women of this country have provided the financial and political support for the major conservation successes of this nation.

Unfortunately, over recent years, the Service's relationship with this constituency has become strained. Some feel left behind as the conservation mission of the Service has expanded over time. I do not believe the Service should abandon those that first helped establish the agency and that desperately want to continue to work with us to conserve fish and wildlife. One only has to look at the make up of the CARE group to see that these groups continue to be vital and effective partners for the Service. As Director, is my intent to restore this relationship to its former stature and to hopefully grow it even further.

If I may make another point, I would also like to acknowledge to this group that the Service must restore its credibility with Congress and the public. Debates over Federal Aid reform, endangered species issues, and water-related issues have strained our relationships on Capitol Hill and in areas of the country. The Service has much to do in this respect, I know, but as a preliminary step, it is my goal to eliminate the correspondence backlog and make sure that our responses to Congressional and to constituent requests are both prompt and accurate.

Based on my own professional experience and from the Service's history, it is clear that partnerships are the cornerstone of fish and wildlife conservation success. During my tenure as Director, I would like to see the Service strengthen its existing partnerships, especially those with sportsmen and women and with members of Congress and the public you represent. I look forward to working with you to make that happen.

Thank you.