Kilmer Statement on Culture of Harassment and Retaliation at US Forest Service, Resignation of Forest Service Chief Tony Tooke
WASHINGTON, DC—Last night, the Chief of the US Forest Service, Tony Tooke, resigned. Tooke’s resignation came after a large group of women employed by the US Forest Service came forward to PBS’s Newshour detailing a workplace culture that systemically tolerates sexual harassment and retaliation against the people who bravely reported it. Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) made the following statement:
“I’m disheartened and disgusted by reports of sexual harassment and retaliation against people who report it at the US Forest Service. There’s no place in the Forest Service or our society for sexual harassment,” Rep. Derek Kilmer said. “Our economy and the safety of our region depends on the public servants of the Forest Service having the ability to do their jobs safely and free from abuse. When they don’t feel safe and it is reported, they deserve justice. Congress, Secretary Perdue and President Trump should take immediate action to address what appears to be a workplace culture that not only tolerates harassment, but also tolerates retaliation against the people who report it.”