Idaho's U.S. Senators
seek justice for Hill
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August 26, 2011 |
Both Idaho U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim
Risch released statements today urging justice
for Porthill resident Jeremy Hill, facing a
federal charge for killing a threatened grizzly
bear May 8, both also calling for reform of the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) under which Hill
was charged.
 "I have deep concerns about this incident and
the decision of the government to prosecute Mr.
Hill, who did what any parent would do in this
situation," Crapo, who sits on the Senate
Environment and Public Works Committee which
handles oversight of the ESA, said. "Clearly,
Mr. Hill thought that his family was in danger
and was protecting them from harm. I understand
that the Endangered Species Act is intended to
protect threatened and endangered species, but
Congress never intended to do so at the expense
of basic public safety and the ability to
protect oneself or their loved ones in the face
of danger. The American people need to know that
they can protect themselves, their families and
property when threatened by federally protected
wildlife, and that the government will support
their right to do so."
Senator Crapo went on to say that Hill and his
family deserve for the matter to come to a "fair
and swift" conclusion, after which Congress
needs to "get to work on common sense ESA
reforms to ensure that this deeply unfortunate
situation never happens again."
"I am going to work with my delegation collegues
and the governor to ensure that Mr. Hill and his
family get the fairest possible treatment under
the law and can move on with their lives," he
said.
Senator Risch was a bit more terse.
"The federal case against Mr. Hill for shooting
a grizzly that was on his property, where he
believed he was protecting his family, is
another example for the need to reform the
Endangered Species Act," he wrote. "Protectioni
of your family and property has been sacrosanct
since this country was formed. What Mr. Hill did
was not a criminal act in the court of common
sense. My hope is that common sense prevails in
this case." |
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