Johnny Morris sets the bar when it comes to supporting conservation. As the founder of Bass Pro Shops, Morris has opened countless doors to outdoor enjoyment for people across our country and the world. The way Morris gives back to conservation, and his efforts to educate both children and adults, through programs like the Wonders of the Ozarks Learning Facility (WOLF) and Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, are testaments to his humble nature and appreciativeness of his good fortune.
It’s no surprise Morris credits others for much of what he has achieved. Yet, his personal efforts deserve recognition. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation bestowed their highest honor to him when he received the Dingell-Young Sportsmen’s Legacy Award at the 35th annual Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) banquet and auction in Washington D.C. Approximately 60 members of our U.S. Congress, who are all members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, were in attendance. Hundreds of conservation professionals, industry partners, and sportsmen and women also attended to celebrate Morris’ leadership and impact.
The Dingell-Young Sportsmen’s Legacy Award is named for conservation policy icons Reps. John Dingell Sr., John Dingell Jr., Rep. Debbie Dingell, and Rep. Don Young. The CSF states the award was created to celebrate individuals who best exemplify the extraordinary individual and collaborative leadership of the Dingell family and Representative Young, and their shared dedication to the advancement of conservation efforts and our outdoor hunting and angling traditions.
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.
“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. Johnny and I go way back, and I have seen first-hand his passion and commitment towards our great outdoor traditions,” said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “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.”
One of the amazing aspects of Morris’ success is how his efforts through Bass Pro Shops have brought together so many different genres of outdoor enthusiasts. The man who started off selling fishing lures in a liquor store, has conquered combinations of fishing, hunting, camping, golfing, NASCAR, resort travel, food, country music and so much more. Johnny has been the hub of the wheel for a long time and continues to add spokes to the world of outdoor enjoyment and our conservation community.
“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation is, without question, one of the most effective bipartisan conservation organizations anywhere in the world. We are proud to work alongside our friends, Chairman Richard Childress, President and CEO Jeff Crane, and the entire CSF team to advance the cause of conservation,” said Morris.
Jeff Crane, CSF President and CEO, is one of the most important people in the conservation community. Crane is not someone who seeks the spotlight. You may not know his name. You rarely see him on television promoting the CSF or read articles written about him. Crane spends his time on the ground, in the halls of congress, elevating the decision and policy makers. He shifts the spotlight to our elected officials who make up the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and tirelessly works to educate members on conservation matters so they may make the best decision when voting on our rights. Crane is a leader in every sense of the word and proves so by bestowing credit where it is due.
“The Dingell-Young Award was meant to honor those that have made a truly profound impact on our outdoor pursuits. To say Johnny Morris has done that is nothing short of an understatement,” said Crane. “Johnny’s commitment to conservation and our time-honored traditions has had a positive impact on all of us and his conservation legacy will continue to touch future generations when we need it most. I cannot think of a more deserving individual to receive this honor.”
Sportsmen owe a lot to Morris, but he would be quick to turn that statement around and say he owes it all to us. That’s what makes the relationship between his customers and his businesses such a feel-good relationship. We buy our sporting goods from Morris, then he takes a significant amount of the proceeds and disburses those funds to conservation organizations. Morris’ commitment to his customers, sportsmen and women worldwide, is why he is so deserving of the honor CSF bestowed upon him.
