Speech presented to MAXXAM today at shareholder meeting

Hello Mr. Hurwitz, Mr. Friedman, and everyone in this room. My name is Courtney Clarke (aka Rhea Green). First off, I would like to tell you how excited I am to be here today because today marks the one year anniversary of the day we met…

I’d like to begin with a story called “Myths of MAXXAM”. Through the ages, forests have always inspired myths, as storytellers would spin frightening tales of creatures lurking in the woods. Those storytellers are still at it today. Modern myths of MAXXAM 1,2,3 and 4. MAXXAM is spinning modern myths as part of their obsessive drive to obtain more money, likening activists to fierce creatures that lay waste to timber jobs with their mighty mouths. But the power of myth, ancient or modern, can never stand up to the facts.

Fact 1: MAXXAM continues to cut old-growth trees

Old growth trees are vital for the survival of many species, such as the marbled murrelett. The marbled murrelett is an endangered bird that nests only in old-growth trees. And 2,000 year old trees are not a renewable resource.

Fact 2: MAXXAM continues to clear-cut

Clear-cutting causes silt and erosion to rush downhill, choking the streams and waterways. This has serious effects on aquatic life, such as the Coho Salmon population that has become endangered. Clear-cutting also greatly increases the amount of flooding. This is affecting the homes and livelihoods of local residents. In fact, the local residents of Freshwater and Elk River have a commercial running in Humboldt. These are their voices: [Reading from commercial transcript]

"We are your neighbors. We live in the valleys of Freshwater and Elk River. We have lost our wells, our swimming holes, our salmon, safe winter passage To and from our homes, the ability to irrigate and feed our livestock, and the Joy of living in the beautiful places we have chosen. Our streams are filled With sediment. New arrival of floods have some of us raising our houses. We are losing our life’s work and a lot of precious time. Many of us have Become afraid every time it rains…"

Fact 3: MAXXAM continues to log on steep and unstable slopes

We already know what happens when you strip the hillside of its trees and supporting roots. Catastrophic events such as mudslides occur. This happened on your land in 1997, when a mudslide wiped out the town of Stafford.

Fact 4: MAXXAM continues to use herbicides

Toxic herbicides seep into the soil, polluting the water supply. This directly affects residents and wildlife.

We are asking for four simple things:

1. Stop cutting old-growth trees
2. Stop clear-cutting
3. Stop logging on steep and unstable slopes
4. Stop using herbicides

Josh and Joli have been kind enough to meet with me and address my concerns regarding these issues, but there have been no changes made. We will continue to protest until these conditions are met. Thank you. [Beginning to walk away, then turning back to microphone]

Oh, and I have a message from Darryl Cherney. [Break into Song]

(Em) In the town of Kilgore, Texas
Was (G) born a tailor’s son
From the (D) killing of the Indians
He learned (Em) how the west was won
His name was Charlie Hurwitz
And he (G) terrorized the land
His (D) killing field was wall street
And his (Em) gang was called MAXXAM

I think you know the rest…. Thank you.