August 4, 2003

Thompson Introduces Bill For Roosevelt Refuge, Collier Center
by James L. Cummins

This year is the 100-year conservation legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt. What started in 1903 with one, small, four-acre bird sanctuary off the coast of Florida has since grown to the world's largest network of lands managed for the benefit and protection of wildlife and the habitat that supports them.

A year earlier, in 1902, Roosevelt came to Mississippi on his now famous bear hunt. Greenvillian Holt Collier was chosen to be the President's guide. He had already killed over 3,000 bears. Collier strongly desired that the President kill a bear so he captured one and tied it to a tree. Roosevelt refused to shoot the tied animal. The story received wide press coverage. Clifford Berryman ran two editorial cartoons on the front page of The Washington Post. Morris Michtom saw the cartoon and designed the Teddy Bear, which the Mississippi Legislature recently named the official state toy.

On July 24, 2003, Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) introduced legislation that would establish the "Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge" and the "Holt Collier Wildlife Interpretation and Education Center."

According to Congressman Thompson, "President Roosevelt and Holt Collier were not only great hunters, but leaders in our Nation's conservation movement. It is a pleasure to introduce legislation to honor these gentlemen and help carry on their legacy." Congressman Thompson is to be thanked not only for his national leadership in conservation, but providing it in a manner that will benefit Mississippians for years to come. It is truly breathtaking to be associated with a piece of legislation that will recognize one of the greatest hunters and Greenvillians that ever lived and the father of the conservation movement that I have dedicated my life to.

From its small, humble beginnings, the National Wildlife Refuge System has been a successful land based trial in conservation. President Roosevelt could not have possibly imagined the vastness of it. It is hoped that the future will hold the addition of even more lands into the system to help preserve and protect America's wildlife resources while providing significant opportunities for hunting, fishing and wildlife-associated recreation. Mississippi currently has 13 National Wildlife Refuges comprising almost 220,000 acres. The "Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge" will encompass lands around the historic hunt location and connect other public lands in the South Delta that will serve as wildlife corridors. The "Holt Collier Wildlife Interpretation and Education Center" will highlight the life of Holt Collier and the conservation efforts of President Roosevelt. Lands will be purchased only from willing sellers.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi