University of Virginia Library

Stop The Slaughter

I would very much appreciate
your publishing this brief letter so
that the University community
might have an opportunity to help
put an end to the despicable
slaughter of our ocean mammals by
commercial fisherman. Senator
Fred Harris of Oklahoma, and five
colleagues, have proposed a bill
which protects ocean mammals
including all seal, whale, walrus,
manatee, sea otter, sea lion, polar
bear, porpoise, and dolphin.

This bill would prohibit the
importation and sale of the skins of
these gentle mammals. Only
Eskimos would be permitted to
take ocean mammals (except polar
bear) for their own use but not for
sale. In addition, the bill would
establish the National Seal Rookery
Preserve and Bird Sanctuary in the
Pribilor Islands where baby seals
could live, safe from the barbarians'
skinning blades.

This is an important bill that
could very well die in committee
while seals and polar bears are
dying on the beaches. Your
expressed interest will help get the
bill heard in the committee and
reported out to Congress. Please
write and request that the bill be
reported out. Ask for prompt
hearings. Request a copy of the bill
if you like. Write: SENATE
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
WARREN MAGNUSON
CHAIRMAN, SENATE OFFICE
BUILDING, WASHINGTON, D.C.
20510. The bill number is S1315.