Presenter: Mike Berger

Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Action
Designation of Representatives
Foreign Travel Resolution
January 25, 2007

I. Executive Summary: The Legislature requires prior Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approval of the use of any state funds for foreign travel. Article IX, Section 5.08(i) of the FY 2006-2007 General Appropriations Act, prohibits the expenditure of appropriated funds for foreign travel (except to Canada or Mexico) unless "the board or commission of each state agency has approved the travel before departure."

II. Discussion:

Terry Erwin, Hunter Education Coordinator, and current president of the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA), has been invited to Peru to train hunters in an organization, Asociación Cinegética del Perú (Acronym: ASOCIPE) as Hunter Education Instructors, March 8-15, 2007. The process will aid the organization in becoming the entity that will provide hunter education training for future Peruvian hunters. Infrastructure training will benefit this organization regarding hunter education history, implications and benefits. Peru recently became "Affiliate" members of IHEA whose mission is: To continue the heritage of hunting worldwide by developing safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunters.

Mr. Erwin's expenses will be paid by the IHEA.

Michael Berger, Wildlife Division Director, and current chairman of the International Relations Committee of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), has been invited to attend the 14th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as a part of the United States delegation, June 2-15, 2007 at The Hague, Netherlands. Thousands of species around the world are endangered or at risk as a result of human activities such as habitat destruction, over-harvesting and pollution. CITES was adopted in 1973 to address the threat posed by just one of these activities: unsustainable international trade. With some 166 Parties, CITES is one of the world's most important agreements on species conservation and the non-detrimental use of wildlife.

Dr. Berger's expenses will be paid by the USFWS.

III. Recommendation: The staff recommends approval of the attached resolution by adoption of the following motion:

"The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts the resolution (Exhibit A) authorizing foreign travel by Mr. Terry Erwin and Dr. Michael Berger."

Attachments – 1

  1. Exhibit A – Resolution

Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Exhibit A

Designation of Representatives
Foreign Travel Resolution

Whereas, the Asociación Cinegética del Perú is recognized as the entity that oversees and provides hunter education training for the hunters of Peru; and

Whereas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recognizes the importance of hunter education as a worldwide, reciprocal program that fosters the reduction of hunting accidents and violations and ensures the hunting heritage in North America and other countries; and

Whereas, Mr. Terry Erwin, Texas Hunter Education Coordinator and current president of the International Hunter Education Association, and in those roles has been invited to address the Peruvian Government's Undersecretary of Interior and the Asociación Cinegética del Perú; and

Whereas, the International Hunter Education Association along with the Asociación Cinegética del Perú has agreed to pay the expenses for travel, lodging and meals;

Whereas, CITES is recognized as one of the world's most important agreements on species conservation and the non-detrimental use of wildlife; and

Whereas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recognizes the importance of species conservation and the non-detrimental use of wildlife; and

Whereas, Dr. Michael Berger, Wildlife Division Director and Chairman of the International Relations Committee of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and in those roles has been invited to attend the 14th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora as a member of the official U.S. delegation; and

Whereas, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to pay expenses for travel, lodging, and meals;

Now therefore be it resolved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission that Mr. Terry Erwin is authorized to travel to Peru to speak and conduct training on behalf of hunter education for this prestigious international meeting and international training and membership opportunity and Dr. Michael Berger is authorized to travel to The Hague, Netherlands to attend the 14th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

In official recognition hereof, we hereby affix our signatures as approved this 25th day of January 2007.

  • Joseph B. C. Fitzsimons, Chairman
  • Donato D. Ramos, Vice-Chairman
  • Mark E. Bivins, Member
  • J. Robert Brown, Member
  • T. Dan Friedkin, Member
  • Peter M. Holt, Member
  • Philip Montgomery III, Member
  • John D. Parker, Member
The State of Texas
County of Travis

I, the undersigned Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true, full, and correct copy of a resolution adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission of the State of Texas on the 25th day of January 2007.

Executed under my hand and seal of said Commission on this the 25th day of January 2007.