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May 23, 2006

Congressional Hearing Held on Petri Animal Rights Terrorism Bill

WASHINGTON - A House subcommittee heard testimony today in support of Wisconsin Republican Rep. Tom Petri's Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, a bill that would tighten laws against animal rights activists who use intimidation and violence against animal enterprises such as farms and research labs, and also those businesses and individuals with even a tenuous connection with those enterprises.

"In the past 21 months in the US, GlaxoSmithKline has experienced approximately 150 animal rights incidents directed at our employees, Board members, and others with only a tenuous connection to GlaxoSmithKline. Unfortunately this list includes several non-profit organizations such as the Eisenhower Fellowship, universities, and private high schools," said William Trundley, the vice president of corporate security for the pharmaceutical company.

"Since January 2005, GlaxoSmithKline employees and our friends and family have been subjected to approximately 75 intimidating and threatening home demonstrations and 10 cases of criminal damage to property in the United States. These incidents have traumatized employees and family members particularly children. In many cases, intimidating and defamatory flyers have been circulated to neighbors and classmates of children of our employees," he told the subcommittee.

A University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher testified, "In slightly less than 2 months time, I received a magazine to which I did not subscribe. Then I received a couple more magazines. I started to receive statements from magazine companies indicating that I placed gift subscriptions to others on campus. I received in total approximately 50+ magazine subscriptions and other mail-order paraphernalia."

"At the same time I received two anonymous voice messages from a messaging agency," the researcher told the subcommittee. "Both messages had very similar content and I paraphrase: ‘We know you are a monkey killer. We hope you are enjoying the magazines you have been receiving. You cannot get away from us.’ The second message said the same but included a statement like, ’you cannot hide from us even though you changed the name on your house. You will never get away from us.‘"

In submitted testimony, U.S. Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent J. McIntosh said of the Petri proposal, "This proposed law builds on existing concepts in the federal criminal code. It is narrowly drafted to criminalize only outrageous, violent conduct that causes economic damage or instills the reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury in others."

Following the hearing, Rep. Petri expressed optimism about his bill's prospects based on the strong support it is receiving and added, "We live in a free country. People have the opportunity to speak out and demonstrate against things that they don't like. But there's a line between expressing your opinions and trying to persuade others, and intimidating them against their own good judgment. And some of these people have crossed that line."


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A transcript of Rep. Petri's comments as provided to broadcasters follows:

"Terrorism against farmers and university researchers who deal with animals has been increasing.

"Some time ago I introduced a bill to tighten the federal laws in this area, and today the Judiciary Committee had a hearing on the bill. It was attended by representatives from the Justice Department, a University of Wisconsin researcher and some people from the pharmaceutical industry, all in support of the legislation that I've introduced. And I think it's going to get a favorable hearing by the judiciary subcommittee that considered it today."

Q. What kind of terrorism are we talking about?

"This is something that happened in the 6th District some time ago when a facility was burned to the ground that provided food for mink farmers to feed to the mink.

"There have been a number of cases of the release of animals, trespass, terrorism tactics of one kind or another, saying 'We know where your wife works, and we know where your kids go to school and what time they leave the house,' - stuff like this that is designed to intimidate people.

"And, of course, we live in a free country. People have the opportunity to speak out and demonstrate against things that they don't like. But there's a line between expressing your opinions and trying to persuade others, and [on the other hand] intimidate them against their own good judgment. And some of these people have crossed that line."

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