08 LC
35 1015
House
Resolution 1856
By:
Representatives Cheokas of the
134th,
Lane of the
158th,
Barnard of the
166th,
Burns of the
157th,
Knight of the
126th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
the State Board of Education to provide for a course of instruction for students
in grades nine through 12 in Hunting, Fishing, and Nature Appreciation; and for
other purposes.
WHEREAS,
hunting, fishing, and the appreciation of the great outdoors are an important
part of Georgia´s history, culture, and economy; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia has experienced a dramatic decline in the issuance of hunting and
fishing licenses; and
WHEREAS,
the children of this state in increasing and alarming numbers are experiencing,
obesity, heart conditions, and a general reduction in exercise; and
WHEREAS,
it has been demonstrated that hunter safety education for young persons and
first time hunters reduces the rate of hunting related accidents by 25 percent,
and other states have adopted legislation authorizing hunting safety and
education courses for high school students; and
WHEREAS,
hunting, fishing, and nature appreciation courses are designed to teach hunting
safety, principles of conservation, and sportsmanship, and such instruction may
help prepare a student for a career in public safety or natural resources where
there are critical shortages of trained personnel; and
WHEREAS,
offering a course on hunting safety provides a physical education option to
persons who may otherwise be unable to participate in physical sports or outdoor
school activities due to physical limitations or disabilities; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia´s children should be given an opportunity to develop an
appreciation for the natural wonders of Georgia and be encouraged to experience
the beauty of nature, and consistent with this goal the General Assembly should
adopt the moto, "NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE."
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the opportunity
to participate in a hunting, fishing, and nature appreciation course should be
offered to students in public schools in grades nine or above, and the State
Board of Education should make available to eligible students in grades nine
through 12 an elective course on Hunting, Fishing, and Nature Appreciation for
the purpose of fulfilling a prescribed course of study in physical education or
as an elective course. Such course should be established in accordance with the
following terms and conditions:
(1)
No later than July 1, 2008, the State Board of Education should adopt a
curriculum for the course on Hunting, Fishing, and Nature Appreciation,
including objectives, reading materials, and lesson plans, which has been
prepared in accordance with the requirements of this Code section and in
consultation with the Department of Natural Resources;
(2)
The topics to be included in the course on Hunting, Fishing, and Nature
Appreciation should include an outdoor survival information and techniques;
knowledge of Georgia fauna and animal life; an increased awareness of available
outdoor opportunities in Georgia for hunting, fishing, and nature appreciation
in Georgia parks and recreation areas; a study of laws and regulations related
to hunting and fishing; and the safe use of firearms and bows;
(3)
Each public high school in this state should include such course of study for
its students at a minimum of once each year; and
(4)
On and after July 1, 2008, for the purpose of earning Carnegie unit curriculum
credits at the high school level, satisfactory completion of a course on
Hunting, Fishing, and Nature Appreciation should be accepted by the State Board
of Education for one-half unit of elective credit or physical education credit,
and satisfactory completion of the course on Hunting, Fishing, and Nature
Appreciation should be accepted by the State Board of Education for one-half
unit of elective credit or physical education credit.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the School
Superintendent for the State of Georgia, the State Board of Education, and the
Governor.