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Edging out the Michigan Snowmobile Association by one, the Iowa
State Snowmobile Association took home the Top Attendance Award at
the International Snowmobile Congress in Sioux Falls June 8-12 with
57 members present. Above, ISSA snowmobilers met at nearby
Elmwood Park for a June 11 picnic.
State Snowmobile Association took home the Top Attendance Award at
the International Snowmobile Congress in Sioux Falls June 8-12 with
57 members present. Above, ISSA snowmobilers met at nearby
Elmwood Park for a June 11 picnic.
International Snowmobile Congress 2004
Snowmobilers Guarantee Victory, Daschle
Favors Access in Battle Over Yellowstone
by Cameron Hanson
Editor, Iowa Snowmobiler
Only the hum of a sled idling on a cold winter morning would have
sounded sweeter to the ears of the 600 or so snowmobilers who
listened in June to leaders take their side in the national debate over
access to public lands.
Appearing at the International Snowmobile Cognress in Sioux Falls,
lobbyists guaranteed victory in the battle over Yellowstone National
Park, and influential South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle favored
continued access to public lands.
"It was my pleasure to work with you a few years ago as we
passed legislation to guarantee that you would have access to every
national park, including Yellowstone," Daschle said. "I think we have
to continue and make sure that you have that access in every single
park."
Ed Klim, president of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers
Association, said snowmobilers are prepared for the fight: Briefs are
being filed in court, sleds are meeting new standards and any
legislation to ban snowmobiles will likely fail.
"Are we going to win? Absolutely," Klim said. "We feel comfortable
snowmobiling will occur in Yellowstone this winter."
Hosting this year's convention, held June 8-12 at the Ramkota Best
Western, was the South Dakota Snowmobile Association. Delegates
and attendees spent five days sharing ideas and exchanging
information through a series of meetings and formal and informal
gatherings.
"Our theme here has been Midwestern hospitality," explained
Congress chair and past SDSA president Todd Wilkinson. "Come to
the middle of the country and experience what Iowa, Minnesota and
South Dakota all know: These are the friendliest people around.
Obviously, what I enjoy the most out of Congress is the information I
gather. Other than here, you don’t get that information disseminated."
With 57 members present, the Iowa State Snowmobile Association
took home the Top Attendance Award, edging out the Michigan
Snowmobile Association by one. It was a goal the ISSA Board of
Directors had set when they first learned their neighbors were hosting
the annual event.
While there, ISSA members--among several other activities--
participated in a tree-planting ceremony to kick off the American
Council of Snowmobile Associations' National Environment
Campaign and signed letters supporting snowmobiling's continued
access to public lands.
Their work did not go unnoticed by Daschle. "Snowmobilers
epitomize what good organizations and good public officials need to
do," he said. "In a constructive way and with real interest and
involvement, you have made a difference."
Next year, the Congress will be held in Salt Lake City.
Snowmobilers Guarantee Victory, Daschle
Favors Access in Battle Over Yellowstone
by Cameron Hanson
Editor, Iowa Snowmobiler
Only the hum of a sled idling on a cold winter morning would have
sounded sweeter to the ears of the 600 or so snowmobilers who
listened in June to leaders take their side in the national debate over
access to public lands.
Appearing at the International Snowmobile Cognress in Sioux Falls,
lobbyists guaranteed victory in the battle over Yellowstone National
Park, and influential South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle favored
continued access to public lands.
"It was my pleasure to work with you a few years ago as we
passed legislation to guarantee that you would have access to every
national park, including Yellowstone," Daschle said. "I think we have
to continue and make sure that you have that access in every single
park."
Ed Klim, president of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers
Association, said snowmobilers are prepared for the fight: Briefs are
being filed in court, sleds are meeting new standards and any
legislation to ban snowmobiles will likely fail.
"Are we going to win? Absolutely," Klim said. "We feel comfortable
snowmobiling will occur in Yellowstone this winter."
Hosting this year's convention, held June 8-12 at the Ramkota Best
Western, was the South Dakota Snowmobile Association. Delegates
and attendees spent five days sharing ideas and exchanging
information through a series of meetings and formal and informal
gatherings.
"Our theme here has been Midwestern hospitality," explained
Congress chair and past SDSA president Todd Wilkinson. "Come to
the middle of the country and experience what Iowa, Minnesota and
South Dakota all know: These are the friendliest people around.
Obviously, what I enjoy the most out of Congress is the information I
gather. Other than here, you don’t get that information disseminated."
With 57 members present, the Iowa State Snowmobile Association
took home the Top Attendance Award, edging out the Michigan
Snowmobile Association by one. It was a goal the ISSA Board of
Directors had set when they first learned their neighbors were hosting
the annual event.
While there, ISSA members--among several other activities--
participated in a tree-planting ceremony to kick off the American
Council of Snowmobile Associations' National Environment
Campaign and signed letters supporting snowmobiling's continued
access to public lands.
Their work did not go unnoticed by Daschle. "Snowmobilers
epitomize what good organizations and good public officials need to
do," he said. "In a constructive way and with real interest and
involvement, you have made a difference."
Next year, the Congress will be held in Salt Lake City.
