Protecting Sasquatch

I’m presently on a 6-week research trip to the Pacific Northwest and am presently working in Eugene, Oregon. Our former governor is a man named Ted Kulongoski. In the 1970s, he was a hip young state legislator, friends of this hippie group I’m researching. While in this group’s papers, I found this gem:

Oregon Legislative Assembly—1977 Regular Session

House Joint Resolution 52 Sponsored by Representative Kulongoski (at the request of Anita Paulsen)

Protects Wildlife Species known as Sasquatch or Bigfoot and prohibits harassing, annoying or intimidating of Sasquatch.

Imposes penalty of two days labor picking up garbage along Oregon highways for violation of Act.

As a consequence of economic growth and development, untempered by adequate concern and conservation, many species of wildlife become extinct. The possible loss of one such species, Sasquatch or Bigfoot as it is sometimes known, causes especial concern to the Oregon Legislative Assembly.

Notwithstanding that Sasquatch are reputed to live in Devil’s Club swamps and feed on poison oak, there are those who insist on searching for them. Although no one has positively identified or captured one, this Legislative Assembly feels that it is a matter of time before this event will occur. In the past, friends of Sasquatch, out of respect for this shy creature, that has never so much as stolen a picnic blanket, have covered all sign of the creature’s existence. But with the encroachment of civilization and hoards of Sasquatch hunters upon its habitat, it has become more difficult for Sasquatch protectors to do so; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon:

That we, the members of the Fifty-ninth Legislative Assembly, declare that harassing, annoying or intimidating Sasquatch is punishable by a maximum of two days labor picking up garbage along Oregon highways.

I mean, if Kulongoski was still governor and I found this, I feel I could seriously do some damage to his career.