To the Editor:Ms. Hornish's characterization I am saddened and offended by Fordham International Law Journal has found that US Federal law is adequate and strictly enforced.  The problem with illegal poaching of elephants and rhinoceros is found in Africa and Asia, and that is where it needs to be addressed.

of Rep. Mitch Bolinsky and the efforts of Connecticut's residents to bring common sense to the proposed ivory ban HB5578.

I know that Rep. Bolinsky and all of us who oppose the ivory legislation as it is written abhor the illegal poaching of endangered species in Africa. All we are asking for is fair and enforceable exemptions to protect countless historic artifacts that contain ivory. Not only are we honest, hard working citizens of Connecticut, we are supported by the leading institutions of our state, including the Wadsworth Atheneum, the Mystic Seaport and the Slater Museum in Norwich. These respected institutions have a blanket exemption but are continuing to oppose this legislation because they understand it would have severely harmful effects on the preservation, promotion and understanding of our shared cultural heritage.

In addition, the Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Robert Klee, has clearly stated that his own department "lacks the expertise and necessary resources to adequately enforce this act" and "believes this issue can more effectively be addressed by the international CITES treaty or by relevant federal law."  This is not misrepresentation and fear mongering, this is fact taken directly from Commissioner Klee's testimony to the Environment Committee.

In an independent study published in 2015, the

Together with Rep Bolinsky, a group of preservation minded residents of Connecticut have been engaged in goodwill efforts to compromise and find a solution that will protect both the historic artifacts of our shared cultural heritage and the endangered species of today.  Unfortunately, our good will has been met with anger and insults.

I would like to thank Rep. Bolinsky for his hard work in the face of unfair and "misguided" accusations as he helps us defend Connecticut's illustrious history and historic artifacts.

Sincerely,

Kevin J. Tulimieri

Hebron     April 23, 2016