Congressman 1969-1977, Senator 1977-1989
In 1973, while serving in the House, Congressman Melcher voted for passage of the Endangered Species Act, which cleared the House floor by a vote of 355-4.
To me, endangered means that if we are not protecting a species, there is a risk that it may be reduced in numbers, even to the extent that it could go extinct. It means that we should take steps to protect it; that is our responsibility. We need to make careful decisions how to protect endangered species so that their numbers will be adequate to preserve their ecological place in the world.
