From: Dan Spomer <dano@rockisland.com>
To: Makah Whaling Update List <makahwhaling@onenw.org>
Date: Wednesday, May 12, 1999 12:17 PM
Subject: Makah Whaling Update (STATEMENT FROM REP. JACK METCALF, R-WA)


>
>=====  A message from the 'makahwhaling' discussion list  =====
>
>STATEMENT GIVEN ON THE HOUSE FLOOR BY CONGRESSMAN JACK METCALF
>REGARDING THE MAKAH'S FIRST WHALING ATTEMPT
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
>
>WASHINGTON, D.C., May 11, 1999-
>
>"Mr. Speaker, the day we have all dreaded has arrived. After years of U.S.
>policy in opposition to commercial whaling, the Clinton-Gore administration
>is reopening whaling. In northwest Washington State it will begin in a few
>days. The Makah tribe has been authorized by this administration to begin
>killing gray whales.
>
>Whales have been protected in the United States, and these whales have
>learned not to fear boats. In fact, a multimillion dollar whale watching
>industry has developed, but that is all changing. Once the U.S. allows
whale
>killing based on cultural history, what can we say to Japan and Norway and
>the other nations that want to do commercial whaling?
>
>This is a tragic day, and we will regret that this has happened."
>*****