Johnny Morris, conservation legend and founder of Bass Pro Shops, was celebrated at the 35th Annual Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Banquet and Auction on Sept. 11, where he received highest award given by CSF—the Dingell-Young Sportsmen’s Legacy Award. The honor is named for conservation policy icons Reps. John Dingell Sr. and Jr., Rep. Debbie Dingell and Rep. Don Young. The award was created to celebrate individuals who best exemplify the individual and collaborative leadership of the Dingell family and Representative Young and their shared dedication to conservation and hunting and angling traditions.
“It is such an honor to be able to present my dear friend, Johnny Morris, with this year’s Dingell-Young Sportsmen’s Legacy Award,” said Richard Childress, chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “Johnny and I go way back and I have seen first-hand his passion and commitment towards our great outdoor traditions. Johnny is one of the greatest conservationists of our time and knows the vital contributions of our nation’s sportsmen and women towards the protection of our nation’s most treasured natural resources and I cannot think of anyone more deserving in being recognized as this year’s award recipient.”
To be eligible for the Dingell-Young Award, an individual must demonstrate leadership and long-standing dedication to advancing two or more of the following areas: national conservation policy; the role of sportsmen and women in conservation; expanding public access to hunting, fishing and/or recreational shooting; increasing the engagement of youth and underrepresented communities in sporting pursuits; and promoting our outdoor heritage in the policy arena.
Morris, a lifelong conservationist and sportsman, has devoted his life to conserving what he loves most and inspiring past and present generations to love and respect our country’s natural resources. An avid bass fisherman, Morris got his start in 1972 by selling fishing tackle out of the back of his father’s liquor store. For the first 13 years, this was the only Bass Pro Shops store. Today, Bass Pro Shops has become a household name for sportsmen and women across North America and is a destination for more than 250 million visitors annually. Over the last 50-plus years, Morris has not only grown a business that is an integral part of our sporting heritage; he has also made a significant impact on the sporting-conservation communities.
Morris’ development of countless conservation and community initiatives, including programs that get kids engaged in the outdoors, advocacy efforts to defend conservation and promote access for sportsmen and women, and his dedication to partnering with leading conservation organization has rightfully earned him the widespread recognition as one of America’s most outstanding conservation visionaries and leaders. His unwavering commitment to conservation, communities, and America’s outdoor heritage has inspired many and will continue to do so for centuries to come.
