Senator Harry Gast [Retired]

"These aren't hunters.  These are something less than that. I don't think it's a mark of a true outdoorsman to shoot doves." -- Senator Harry Gast

• Life-long farmer and avid hunter
• Michigan State University grad in forestry
• State Senator [Retired], District 20, St Joseph, Southwest Michigan
• 30+ years of public service in the State legislature
• Strong voting record on hunting and gun rights issues
• Former Senate budget chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee
• Member of the Michigan Farm Bureau
• Member of the Michigan United Conservation Club
• Member of the National Riffle Association

Awards, honors and recognitions:

• Conservationist of the Year Award, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, 1989
• Meritorious Service Award, Michigan Association of Agriculture, 1993
• Associate Farmer of the Year, Michigan Vegetable Council, 1994
• Legislator of the Year Award, Michigan Agricultural Conference 1994
• Recognition from Natural Resources Trust Fund, 1996
• Michigan Recreation and Parks Association Legislative Award, 1997
• Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award and Silver Plow Award by Michigan Farm Bureau, 1998
• Honored by Agricultural and Natural Resources Products Tourism Conference
• Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation from Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1999
• Named one of ten best lawmakers by The Detroit News, 1992
• Legislator of the Year Award, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, 1986
• Guardian of Small Business Award, 1996
• Legislator of the Year Award, Michigan Townships Association, 1998
• Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree, Northern Michigan University, 1988
• Honorary Doctor of Law degree, Andrews University, 1989
• Bernard Radde Award from Lake Michigan College, 2001
• Honorary Doctor of Public Service Degree form Ferris State University, 2001
• Dedication to Harry T. Gast Building at M-Tec at Southwest Michigan College 2001

Senator Gast on the floor of the Senate:

"Are robins next?  After all, their breast is as big as that of a dove. Shouldn't we think about putting robins on the list?  Then what about blue jays and brown thrushes? Seagulls--hell, there are a lot of those around the Great Lakes?  And then, if we shoot one of these birds, and you sort through the bloody feathers and hunt for the meat that you think you've got, and you've found it's all shot to heck, what have you done other than take the life of a bird?  Not much. Satisfied an ego, perhaps.  And then you get disgusted there, and get in your SUV, and go down the highway, and look for the utility line that's got a line of doves up on that, and blast away, and maybe cut the darn utility line.  These aren't hunters.  These are something less than that. I don't think it's a mark of a true outdoorsman to shoot doves." -- Senator Harry Gast, Journal of the Senate, Thursday December 14, 2000