Alan Lowenthal actually said...

"We crushed that ivory to send a very clear signal that the ivory was not meant to be seen as items of value."

"I believe that we are the market for ivory. The United States ranks second in the world in terms of a market for ivory that is sold."

"We can also attempt to send a message that commercialization of wildlife that leads to its extinction is not acceptable."

"They are killing elephants because they see them as sources of money, and if we can take the money out of the equation, they will stop killing elephants."