For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray today met with a delegation of Makah tribal members who had traveled to Washington, D.C. to discuss their response to last weekend's unauthorized killing of a gray whale by five tribal members.

"The unauthorized actions of a few Makah tribal members have now focused state and national attention on this illegal hunt.  This is a very serious situation. 

"I commend Makah tribal leaders for immediately condemning this rogue act and taking steps to prosecute the offenders.  I also appreciate the tribal delegation's prompt trip to D.C. and their willingness to revisit tribal practices and law so as to prevent an incident like this from happening again.  I know this has been a painful event with high emotions on all sides.

"While I am deeply disappointed in last weekend's unlawful hunt, I believe that the Makah tribe is taking the right steps to move forward from this situation and I will be monitoring their progress."