The Honorable Elton Gallegly

Statement on Eco-Terrorism

Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health

February 12, 2002

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you for holding this hearing today. Terrorism, no matter what the motivation, is still terrorism. The Earth Liberation Front, for which Mr. Rosebraugh was the spokesman for, is a terrorist organization.

Since it was founded, the Earth Liberation Front has terrorized farmers, researchers, workers, and businesses. In just the past year, 10 acts have been committed by the ELF and Animal Liberation Front, its sister organization, in my home state of California.

A few examples: In 1999, the ELF set fire to the offices of Catherine Ives, a bio-technical researcher at Michigan State University. In New York and Colorado, they have set fire to homes and apartment complexes. In February of last year, the ELF set fire to a Monsanto-owned warehouse in my home state of California. Most recently, the ELF has claimed responsibility for setting fire to heavy construction equipment and a construction trailer at the University of Minnesota's Microbial and Plant Genomics building. Law enforcement officials say it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed.

Mr. Chairman, in light of this record and the potential of future acts, I believe we must heighten awareness of this terrorist activity and explore ways of helping law enforcement stop this threat. I urge the House Resources Committee to continue its efforts to protect Americans from terrorist acts.

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