As a longtime supporter of Elton Gallegly, I was surprised the Star allowed Ed Ventura to publish major untruths about our congressman. Elton Gallegly has never missed 81 percent of votes in Congress in any quarter. He has a 95 percent lifetime voting attendance record over his 22 years in Congress, which is astounding when you consider he flies back and forth across the country between Ventura County and Washington, D.C., almost every week.

Elton Gallegly has been easily re-elected in every election because he is a very effective congressman who has lived here for 40 years and returns home almost every week. He is our neighbor and very accessible. Friends tell me how they have run into him in the grocery or hardware store and chatted with him like the neighbor he is. His long list of endorsements is the result of his effectiveness and his knowledge of the district and its needs. Do you enjoy driving on the newly widened 23 Freeway? It was Elton Gallegly who secured the federal funds to make that possible. Do you enjoy the military and civilian jobs that come with Naval Base Ventura County? It was Elton Gallegly who blocked its closure. Do you enjoy the jobs that come with the Port of Hueneme's designation as a deep-water port? Elton secured that. Have you ever wondered why every elected law enforcement officer and every law enforcement organization has endorsed Elton Gallegly? Because when they need federal help to keep our communities safe, Elton Gallegly is there. That's why Elton has also been endorsed by every city, county, and special district official who has endorsed in this race. It's also why the party keeps encouraging him to run.

Ventura references a resolution making it illegal to transport roosters across state lines for the purpose of cockfighting. I can only surmise he means Elton's Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act. As the name implies, it covers a lot more than roosters. It also wasn't a resolution. It was a bill that was signed into law on May 3, 2007. It was the first bill sponsored by a Republican to pass Congress after the Democrats took control - a feat that can only be accomplished by a congressman who knows how to get the job done. Remember NFL star Michael Vick? Vick is only happy the law passed after he was arrested or he would have been punished much more harshly under Elton's law.

The brutal, sadistic act of animal fighting may be laughable to Ed Ventura. But it's not to law enforcement officials. Money laundering, gang activities, gambling, illegal immigration, and other crimes are associated with it. It's hardly a nonsense bill.

It should also be pointed out that Elton was the first non-lawyer to be appointed to the Judiciary Committee and is one of a handful of congressman to hold four full committee assignments, including the Intelligence committee, which the Speaker of the House appoints members to based on their experience and record of accomplishment. In addition, Elton held one of the first field hearings on the 9/11 Commission's report, was responsible for more than 10 provisions in the 9/11 bill passed by Congress and signed into law, is responsible for increasing the maximum contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts, was part of a small congressional delegation in a historic meeting with Moammar Gadhafi after the Libyan strongman denounced terrorism, and has been inducted into the U.S. Border Control Hall of Fame. And that only scratches the surface.

Ed Ventura should applaud and watch Elton Gallegly. He may learn something.

Posted by Robert O. Huber