Sportsmen for Change pointed out:
Yesterday the House State Government Finance Division Committee, Chaired by Rep Phyllis Kahn, approved an amendment which would remove retired State Senator Bob Lessard's name from the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council.
The bill HF1781 author is Rep Phyllis Kahn who is also the chair of the House committee.
The naming of the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council was in recognition of Senator Bob Lessard starting the decade long advocacy for Clean water, Land and Legacy Amendment passed by voters on November, 4th 2008. Throughout Senator Lessard's 26-year career in the Minnesota Senate he was a strong advocate for hunting, angling and the outdoors.
The Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council was passed last session by the legislature and before the November 4th statewide vote. Hunters and anglers had said throughout 2008 legislative session that the council was critical to ensure support amongst Minnesota's 1.4 million hunters and anglers.
"Taking Lessard's name off the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council would be a slap in the face to many of Minnesota's 1.4 million sportsmen and sportswomen who voted for the measure," said Garry Leaf, Executive Director of Sportsmen for Change. "The constituional amendment began with hunters and anglers, they rallied twice at the capitol and Lessards name was used over and over on campaign materials to help pass the amendment with this demograhic."