November 1, 2022 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – On October 12, Bass Pro Shops Founder and CEO Johnny Morris was given the distinction of Honorary Life Director by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) at the 18th Annual Wine, Wheels & Wildlife event. This designation was created by the CSF Board of Directors to recognize an individual who has made significant contributions to conservation, hunting, and fishing, and who strongly supports CSF’s mission to work with Congress, governors, and state legislatures to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping. Across the country, Johnny Morris is often referred to as a modern-day Theodore Roosevelt for his leadership, personal commitment and dedication to conservation efforts, a comparison that is anything but embellished. As an unrivaled conservationist, Johnny Morris has long recognized the need for citizens to take a strong position in the careful management and use of our natural resources for future generations to enjoy. Using his entrepreneurial success as a platform for that cause, he has contributed heavily both in time and resources to many significant conservation causes and initiatives. Notably, in 2015 Johnny Morris co-chaired the Blue-Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources, which aided in the development of Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, one of CSF’s highest legislative priorities. “For the past 20 years, it has been my pleasure to work with Johnny Morris,” said CSF President and CEO Jeff Crane. “Johnny, and by extension Bass Pro Shops, have and continue to be an ardent supporter of the critical work that is being undertaken by CSF. Johnny’s dedication to conservation is what sets him apart from all others and clearly demonstrates what he has accomplished for America’s 55 million sportsmen and women.” “Not only is Johnny Morris a dear friend to America’s outdoor heritage, but I’m proud to call him a close friend of mine,” said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing and Vice-Chair of the CSF Board of Directors. “Like myself, Johnny built his business from the ground up, and he knows the value of hard work and giving back. For years, he has been the guiding example of leadership in the wildlife conservation community, not only through the generous financial resources that he provides, but also through the time and dedication he puts forth serving on numerous committees.” “On October 14, I had the distinct honor and privilege of paying tribute to a lifelong friend as I recognized my buddy Johnny Morris with a Congressional Record in the House of Representatives” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Representative Billy Long (MO-7). “As the representative of Southwest Missouri, I know just how important Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops are to not only Missourians but to Americans as a whole. From an inauspicious start stocking just two islands of gondola shelving with fishing tackle in one of his father’s Brown Derby Liquor Stores, Johnny’s story is one that inspires dedicated outdoorsmen and women everywhere. As a business owner, he has brought economic prosperity and strong conservation principals to not only our district but to many other Congressional Districts across the country. His dad John A. Morris ingrained taking care of the environment into him, as he says 'we all live downstream.' Johnny is one of the leading conservationists in the country and works tirelessly to protect and advance our outdoor heritage. His designation as CSF’s Honorary Life Director is a well-deserved distinction which marks a lifetime of effort to ensure healthy habitats and wildlife abundance.” “If it wasn’t for conservation, there wouldn’t be Bass Pro Shops,” said Bass Pro Shops Founder and CEO Johnny Morris. “It is our obligation to give back, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to do just that for the past 50 years. The conservation of wildlife and habitat has always been a top priority for myself and the fine people who make up our company, and we are honored to have received this designation from CSF. Their work in the policy arena to find bipartisan solutions to sporting-conservation issues is more important then ever, and I encourage all sportsmen and women to educate themselves on the policy work being undertaken on their behalf.” |
