On July 17, the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus held a groundbreaking hearing/briefing on the issue of farm animal cruelty.
The hearing was a huge success, with attendance filling a large hearing room. Including caucus co-chairs Congressmen Christopher Shays (R-CT) and Jim Moran (D-VA), there were seventeen Congressional offices represented, as well as committee, government agency and media representatives. Both Shays and Moran attended the unveiling of, "A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion," in Washington, D.C., last November.
The following distinguished panel made outstanding presentations:• Professor David Favre: Professor of Law at Michigan State University and a nationally recognized expert on animal law.
• Dr. Stephen Zawistowski: Executive Vice-President of American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
• Dena Jones: Program Manager at the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).
• Pamela Alexander: attorney and Director of the Animal Law program at Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF).
• Brother David Andrews: a Commissioner with the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production.
Where Do We Go From Here? The hearing was a good start in educating Congress on farm animal cruelty issues and conditions. The Congress is now in its August recess and when they return, the fall elections will dominate. We will use this time to continue to build grass-roots support for a major push when this bill is re-introduced in the new Congress next January. This is a grass-roots effort and your cumulative help is critical for success.
What You Can Do:1. Circulate this memo as widely as possible so people are aware of this effort.
2. Ask your Congressman to become a member of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus.
Click Here3. Sign the Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion.
Click HereFor additional information, please contact Jerry Simonelli at
jsimonelli@aol.com or 703-818-2500.
Article content and photo used with permission.Posted by Michelle Buckalew, Best Friends Multifaith Outreach Program