New York State Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C-Canandaigua) today announced that Chuck Cunningham, Director of Political Affairs for the National Rifle Association (NRA), will give the keynote address at the second annual "Sportsmen and Outdoor Recreation Legislative Awareness Day" being held in Albany on Tuesday, January 25. Cunningham's duties with the NRA include managing the group's Washington, D.C. office, coordinating its lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill and other federal activities. He is a leading voice in the conservative movement, having worked for the Christian Coalition and the National Right to Work Committee, in addition to the NRA.

"Chuck Cunningham is a public policy expert who has dedicated his life to defending our Constitutional freedoms," said Kolb, a member of the NRA, The New York State Rifle and Pistol Association (NYSRPA), the Shooters' Committee on Political Education (S.C.O.P.E.) and Safari Club International. "I'm proud to have him join us for this year's must-attend event."

Cunningham has a long history of standing up for America's Second Amendment rights. From 1984 until 1994, he spearheaded fights for the right to keep and bear arms in several states, including Delaware, Maine, Michigan and West Virginia. He's also a proponent of smaller government, low taxes, strong national defense, traditional values and free enterprise.

"I look forward to joining Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb on January 25 for Sportsmen and Outdoor Recreation Legislative Awareness Day," Cunningham said. "The Second Amendment is under perpetual attack in New York State and 2011 will be no different. Our Constitutional freedoms are sacrosanct and I have spent my life advocating for them. I look forward to continuing the battle."

Kolb noted that in addition to the keynote speech by Cunningham, the formal program will include a taped presentation from NRA CEO & Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, as well as remarks from James A. Rabbia, Plant Manager for Remington Arms; Tom King, President of NYSRPA; Stephen Aldstadt, President of S.C.O.P.E.; and William Schwerd, Executive Director of New York State 4-H Shooting Sports.

"Our 2010 Sportsmen and Outdoor Recreation Legislative Awareness Day event was an unprecedented success, including 24 vendors from around the state and nearly 2,000 guests and supporters," said Kolb. "Our Assembly Minority Conference and I have worked hard to make this year's event even bigger and better. I'm confident that adding Chuck Cunningham to our slate of speakers will make this a day to remember."

Sportsmen and Outdoor Recreation Legislative Awareness Day will be held on January 25 in the "Well" and Third Floor Terrace of the State Legislative Office Building in Albany from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public.

To RSVP or for more details about the event, e-mail Leader Kolb at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us, call (518) 455-5073, or look for "Sportsmen and Outdoor Recreation Legislative Awareness Day" on Facebook.