News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 7, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Statement by Gov. Gary Locke on Senator Harold Hochstatter's shorelines event statement

"I was extremely disturbed to see a direct quote attributed to you on the front page of The Olympian yesterday that said, 'It's not time yet, but it's getting close to time for shooting,'" Gov. Gary Locke wrote today in a letter to Senator Harold Hochstatter.

"This statement apparently suggested to the public that in the near future employees of the Washington State Department of Ecology, who are doing their jobs, should be shot. If this is an accurate quote, it is an appalling, grossly irresponsible statement for anyone, especially an elected official, to make.

"We live at a time when violence flares too frequently on our roads, in our homes and even in our schools. As all of us are trying so hard to set a good example for our children to eliminate this kind of hostility from our culture, this statement is particularly reprehensible.

"I hope you will apologize to the employees of the Department of Ecology for inciting people to turn to firearms to resolve their differences. These hard-working public employees are deeply upset, and even fearful, because of this statement attributed to you at a public event.

"An apology also is due to all of the parents, teachers and citizens throughout our state who are working hard to raise a generation of young people who respect others and genuine differences of opinion."

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