A Champion Living Amongst Us

[Outdoor Talk Network by Jim Slinsky]
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A Champion Living Amongst Us ©

By Jim Slinsky
02/09/08

Few experiences in life can surpass the sense of accomplishment and recognition that is bestowed upon you after becoming the recipient of a national award. It is the ultimate honor, the ultimate in gratification. It makes one smile when no one is around to see you take that deep breath.

Something very special just happened in Las Vegas, Nevada. You have all heard of SHOT, the Shooting and Hunting Outdoor Trade Show. It is the year’s biggest extravaganza for the gun and hunting industry sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. In early February 2008, at the SHOT Show the Legislator of the Year award was presented to none other than our very own PA State Rep Edward G. Staback. SR Staback received his award from the National Association of Firearms Retailers. I haven’t done the math to determine how many state legislators there are, but Rep Staback was probably chosen out of thousands. It doesn’t get any better than this for a man who has been a champion of our hunting and shooting rights for 24 years. He is the first PA legislator to ever receive this honor.

SR Staback is currently the Majority Chairman of PA’s House Game and Fisheries Committee. Under his leadership in the past few years SR Staback has been at the forefront of some critical issues. He was instrumental in many of our successes. He played a major role in the defeat of HB 22, the one-gun-a-month legislation. I personally saw him work tirelessly to resolve the shutdown of our PA Instant Check System during last year’s dove season. He was a major player in the effort to prevent the dismantling our preemption legislation. This is the law that prevents municipalities from passing their own gun legislation. Obviously, without this legislation PA guns laws would spiral into absolute chaos and so would our society. Can you imagine the hundreds of new guns laws that would result if municipalities had the right to pass gun laws? Entire areas of this state could be shut down to hunting.

I began writing this syndicated outdoor column in 1998 and shortly thereafter began conversing with Ed Staback. There is a reason why his friends affectionately call him “Steady Eddy”. He has a style that is uniquely his. You do not see Ed Staback get mad or excited, but you do see him smile and laugh. You will not find any inconsistencies in his words or beliefs, but you will see him use his expertise as a legislator to protect our rights. He has that rare diplomatic skill to work with opposing factions and the end of the day, Ed Staback is considered a friend by both.

SR Ed Staback has hunted the country and taken a few very nice whitetails. But, Ed Staback is no elitist trophy hunter. This is a man that has matured through the trophy phase and into the mentor phase. This is a man who continues to hunt small game, the symbol of a dedicated sportsman and conservationist.

The respect SR Staback has achieved with his fellow legislators is a testament to his skills as a public servant and his character. In my experience working with the House Game and Fisheries Committee, Ed Staback’s opinions on pending legislation are beyond reproach. His peers hold him in the highest regard because Ed Staback holds fast to his principles.

In 2008 Ed Staback has his work cut out for him. The Legislator of the Year will need to stay dialed-in to keep up with the demand for curative legislation to resolve our many remaining problems. I will be one of the many seeking SR Staback to work his legislative magic. I suspect he will rise to the occasion.

I am writing about Ed Staback in glowing accolades because the man deserves it and someone needed to say it. The 2007 Legislator of the Year award was just my excuse to give you some details about this special man and gifted and determined legislator that calls Pennsylvania his home.

The legacy of Ed Staback will not be forgotten by future generations. The lifelong dedication to support our rights to hunt, fish, trap and shoot has secured his place in history. They only thing left to do is to bestow upon him a “lifetime achievement award”. He deserves that, too.

Yes, my friends, Ed Staback is a champion of our rights living amongst us.

Jim Slinsky is the host and producer of the “Outdoor Talk Network”, a nationally syndicated, outdoor-talk radio program. For a station near you or to contact Jim, visit his website at www.outdoortalknetwork.com.

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