January 17, 1996
 
President Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
 
 
Dear President Clinton:
 
We want to commend you on your efforts to protect the sacred sites of the San Carlos Apache people in Arizona. We urge you to continue your efforts to protect their sacred sites through the current budget negotiations. By vetoing the interior appropriations bill you have firmly reinforced yourcommitment not to compromise on the environment. We, like you, oppose any legislation that would allow the University of Arizona to be exempt from environmental laws in order to build an observatory on Mt. Graham, on top of the sacred sites of the Apache people. We applaud you for not bowing to special interest groups attempting to disregard existing environmental laws and regulations. In November of 1993, we performed concerts in Phoenix, Arizona for the Apache Survival Coalition and Mt. Graham Coalition. While we were in Arizona, we were able to meet with the tribal elders and visit their sacred sites. We learned that Mt. Graham's unique ecosystems are home to many plants and animals that do not exist anywhere else on this planet. We also learned that this is the most sacred mountain to the traditional San Carlos Apache people and is the central source of spiritual guidance for them. It is in fact the pathway that carries their prayers to the creator. On behalf of countless others who have fought to preserve Mt. Graham over the past decade, we urge you not to waver on your commitment to the environment and the San Carlos Apache people of Arizona. We strongly oppose any destruction of their sacred sites and any effort that allows for exemptions to environmental laws established to protect these lands.
 
Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
 
 
Sincerely,

Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, Jeff Ament