Endangered Species Act Testimony cont.

Washington, D.C.

Last place sometimes has its advantages. Rep. Richard Pombo, Chair of the Committee, graciously let Sheldon extend his response to Rep. Tom Udall's questions about protecting habitat and “noncharismatic” species (those to which people do not readily relate) to nearly 20 minutes -- well beyond the normal five-minute limit. At the end, Chairman Pombo thanked Sheldon for his testimony and stated that he agreed with "most" of what he had said.

Several days after returning to Messiah, Sheldon received additional questions from Chairman Pombo (mostly theological in focus) and also from Rep. Udall (science based). These he answered and are part of the testimony for the hearing.

Would Sheldon return to Washington if asked to testify again? “Yes of course. What a tremendous opportunity to use my scientific training and my Christian witness to speak for God's Creation. But I would not be as naïve as I was on April 28. I now have a much better understanding of how Washington ‘works.’ It is indeed a jungle out there. And some of the predators waiting to devour God's creation walk on two legs and have university degrees.”

• Read some of Rep. Pombo’s follow-up questions, with Sheldon’s answers.

Adapted from an article by Joe Sheldon in Creation Care magazine.