Georgia Ambassador for Barbaro

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM SENATOR ENSIGN'S OFFICE

2006-09-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

Due to all of the confusion today, I called Senator Ensign's office. He is the original sponsor of S1915 so I decided to go straight to the horse's mouth (pun intended).

According to Scott, one of the experts on S1915 in Senator Ensign's office, the Commerce Committee will take up S1915 and HR503 in November, after the elections. He said that they thought it would come up for a vote before the end of the year.

Therefore, according to him, we need to keep doing what we have been doing. Use this time to get more co-sponsors, fax, email, and call senate offices. Finally, continue the pressure on Frist because it is definitely up to him to put it on the calendar. We need to flood his office with faxes, emails, calls until he gets so sick of us that he puts it on the calendar to be rid of us. Don't be negative with his office; but, be firm.

Continue to get the word out to the media and everyone else. The media is beginning to pick up on the story.

Be patient!

Alex's Critical Steps to Stay Focused On

2006-09-25T06:25:00.000-07:00

ALEX'S CRITICAL REMINDER FOR WHAT WE ALL MUST STAY FOCUSED ON

FOR THOSE WHO REQUESTED SENATORS ***Sept 25 2006
LINK:http://www.kaufmanzoning.net/horsemeat/109senators_Ensign_Byrd_vote[1].html

GOAL: 50,000 plus signatures asking to get bill passed for horses
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/159614943?1t1=1158522429&ltl=1158881460 21, 367 signatures for horses & rising

September 22d UPDATE: FROM WASHINGTON DC Mike O'Reilly
Stay motivated and focused guys: HR503 (Unamended) was reviewed by the Commerce Committee. No one is certain which bill Senator Frist will bring to the floor. Keep getting your Senators to cosponsor S. 1915 and SUPPORT HR 503. The horse bill is discussed on the Senate floor & then has to be voted unanimously. In the Senate, the authority to call up a bill is reserved for the Majority Leader. In setting the legislative agenda, the Majority Leader consults with the Minority Leader, with the committee chairmen appropriate to the subject matter, and any individual Senators who have notified him of their interest in the legislation at hand. The Senate's Majority Leader must be more inclusive and accommodating than the Speaker needs be in the House, because he is restrained by the tools available to him to call up bills. Senate procedure permits only two: the unanimous consent of all Senators, or a motion to proceed to the consideration of a bill. One single objection prevents unanimous consent from succeeding, so if this route is chosen extensive negotiations to meet every Senator's concerns must precede it. Once the Horse Bill passes, it is sent to the President for signing. The senate is taking abbreviated recess Sept 30th thru Nov 12th and will reconvene the week of November 13th. They will know more after elections Nov 7th how many weeks the Senate will remain in session. Meantime DO A PRAYER VIGIL THIS WEEKEND for 400 young horses scheduled to be slaughtered Monday Morning, now that Kaufman's plant is online again. Maybe their equipment will break down??? Continue CALLING, FAXING< href="http://www.whoanm.org/AntiHorseSlaughterActProject/AntiHorseSlaughterActProject.htm" target="_blank">http://www.whoanm.org/AntiHorseSlaughterActProject/AntiHorseSlaughterActProject.htm

www.whoanm.org/AntiHorseSlaughterActProject/

***FOR ENTIRE List of Senators, their Websites/email (Phone & Fax Numbers):
www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
http://www.kaufmanzoning.net/horsemeat/109senators_Ensign_Byrd_vote[1].html and THE UPDATED COMPASSION INDEX on WHO HAS COSPONSORED and who supports but STILL NEEDS TO COSPONSOR.
http://capwiz.com/compassionindex/dbq/vote_info

4. PLAN FOR PHONE CALL BLITZ to Senators needing to cosponsor next week, September 25th through the 29th. Have family members and friends help out.

5. PLEASE UPDATE US with your responses from Senators in Organizing The States For This Mission – THANK YOU for ALL YOUR EFFORTS!

http://www.timwoolleyracing.com/
http://www.campaigningforbarbaro.com/
http://www.hsus.org/ & http://www.marynash.org/; with help of Gretchen & Roy Jackson

IMPORTANT ANTI-SLAUGHTER INFORMATION

2006-09-25T03:33:00.000-07:00

Go to:http://forums.prospero.com/timwoolley/messages/?msg=1294.59 to learn important information about how bills are passed in Congress.

Also, according to HSUS, 93% now oppose horse slaughter.

Good article on www.equineprotectionnetwork.com with good arguments to use for Senators.

Also, information at: www.thehorse.com/printarticle.aspx?ID=7731

American Horse Council Is No Longer Pro Slaughter

2006-09-25T03:31:00.000-07:00

American Horse Council
Unwanted Horse Coalition Folded into AHC - June 2006 ... The AHC is member supported by individuals and organizations representing virtually every facet of ...www.horsecouncil.org/ -
THIS IS A CORRECTON ON AMERCAN HORSE COUNCIL ADDRESS

THEY NOW ARE NO LONGER PRO HORSE SLAUGHTER ACCORDING TO THE EQUINE Protection Network www.equineprotectionnetwork.com

About Using the Inhumane Argument

2006-09-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

I realize that there are concerns that if we point out inhumane slaughter of horses, some feel that it will just lead to more humane method; however, we need to use that argument to oppose those who say these horses are being euthanized which implies they are being put to sleep which cannot be used for food animals because of the chemicals.

We also need to point out that these bolt guns used on cattle are not made for horses because many cattle ranchers are opposing this bill because they fear that we will be asking to ban beef slaughter next.

It would take some time for the horse slaughterers to come up with a bolt gun designed for horses, if we get this bill passed now, the law will stand because with a majority of Americans against it, Congress will not re-visit the issue especially if we are vigilant.

Important New Points to Make Contacting Senators

2006-09-24T07:21:00.000-07:00

Best to HIGHLIGHT then copy into MICROSOFT WORD & print out from WORD; can also copy direct into email if sending with short letter to Senators

WHY HORSE SLAUGHTER BILL REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION NOW!!!

FACT 1: "THE MOTHER OF ALL FACTS"

"CATTLE SHUTES AND BOLT GUNS ARE NOT DESIGNED AND WERE NEVER MEANT TO BE USED FOR HORSES. THEY HAVE MUCH LONGER NECKS THAN CATTLE AND REACT FAR DIFFERENTLY BY NATURE. THAT IS WHY THE BOLT GUN 'REMAINS INEFFECTIVE AFTER REPEATED BLOWS' AND IS PAINFULLY EVIDENT in FULLY DOCUMENTED VIDEOS -- THIS IS NOT HUMANE EUTHANASIA." Testimony of Dr. Patricia Hogan, Equine Surgeon(Washington DC, July 25, 2006 referencing unannounced visits to horse plants documenting by VIDEO how young, healthy horses throats are slit and killed while still alive, screaming, and kicking; ( http://www.hsus.org/video_clips/keep_horses_in_the_stable.html)

FACT 2: "ASK YOURSELVES THIS QUESTION"

WOULD ANY MEMBER OF THE AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), or the AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners, or the AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association) or the AHC (American Horse Council) "humanely euthanize" their own horse companions using the captive bolt gun?

Unequivocally, NO ONE WOULD SAY YES! And there lies the key problem and here is its solution: PERMANENTLY SHUT DOWN TEXAS and Illinois HORSE-KILLING HOUSES -- NEVER DESIGNED OR INTENDED FOR KILLING OUR COMPANION HORSES!

FACT 3: COSPONSORING SHOWS AMERICANS & FOREIGNERS CONGRESS WILL NOT TOLERATE CIRCUMVENTION OF OUR LAWS BY COSPONSORING

You are telling hundreds of millions of American voters you officially support restoring the "WILL OF CONGRESS" and its Protective Horse Act already passed! Furthermore, you and your Commerce Committee endorse S.1915 or HR 503 to be passed (closing the loop hole) so foreigners, circumventing our U.S. Government by paying illegal blood money to the USDA, quit rubbing our noses in it! IT IS TIME AMERICANS and CONGRESS RESTORE "our rightful respect" and "our horse companions' honor!" Horses have done more for our culture than any other animal in America's history. IT IS OUR AMERICAN LEGACY! Shameless abuse IS NOT! As each week passes, these horse killer plants sharply increase their production of our over 50,000 stolen young, healthy companion horses along with 10,000 imported ones. Every week that is delayed, 1500 more healthy baby colts and young horses will be butchered. This Monday, September 25, 2006 Dallas Crown resumes operations and has stepped up its killing schedule to slaughter 400 with an additional 400 on Thursday, September 28, 2006. Our horse companions will die horrible deaths unless immediate FEDERAL ACTION is taken to shut them down (Mayor of Kaufman, Texas, phone call)(www.timwoolleyracing.com ; www.marynash.org; www.netposse.com, www.hsus.org). "As a nation, we treat terrorists with kid gloves but intentionally mistreat, abuse, and destroy a young, healthy, trusting, companion animal who never deserved this in the first place." TRUE? OR FALSE? IF INACTION RULES, THEN EVIL PREVAILS-- TRUE? OR FALSE?

FACT 4: UNTIL CONGRESS PASSES S.1915 or HR 503 AMERICA LOSES EFFECTIVENESS AS A NATION OF POWER & PRINCIPLES

"According to factory worker testimonies, when stolen horses come into their horse plants, they simply remove the RFID locator chips, destroy and toss them, so they don't contaminate the meat." Beltex knows and still pays stealers of our horse pets (www.MarvWalker.com ; www.hsus.com). SENATOR Barack Obama of Illinois had this to say: "Late last year, CONGRESS made it clear that it does not support the commercial sale of horsemeat abroad. During Senate consideration of the annual appropriations bill funding USDA operations, Senators John Ensign (veterinarian, R-NV), and Robert Byrd (D-WV) offered an amendment to prohibit the federally funding the USDA's food meat safety inspections at horse slaughterhouse plants in the United States, thereby effectively blocking export of horsemeat abroad. The amendment, which I voted for, passed the Senateby a vote of 68 to 29 and was enacted into law."

"In response, however, the USDA recently announced it will continue performing inspections at horse slaughterhouses by charging the (FOREIGN-OWNED) Slaughter companies a fee-for-service beginning March 10, 2006I VIEW THIS INITIATIVE BY THE USDA ADMINISTRATION AS NOTHING MORE THAN A BRAZEN MANEUVER TO CIRCUMVENT THE CLEAR INTENT OF CONGRESS."

FACT 5: AMERICANS HAVE MEANS & PRIVATE FUNDS TO SAVE THESE HORSES AND CAN DO IT ONCE FEDERAL PROTECTIVE LAWS ARE ENFORCED!

WHO WILL ASSIST IN EFFORTS TO RELOCATE STOLEN HORSES TO THEIR OWNERS?--
"THERE IS MAJOR CONCERN WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE UNSLAUGHTERED HEALTHY, YOUNG HORSES."

Of those saved, mathwise, you are looking at approximately 6,000 horses combined in one month from all 3 plants shut down. With over 500 organizations to assist, this is certainly a workable number for rescue operations to handle anywhere from 10 - 20 horses and baby colts per nonprofit group. Networking they can assist in "returning thousands of horses" to their "rightful owners" and those that are imported can be safely adopted. For those so badly abused and purposefully starved unable to recover, they will be humanely euthanized by a qualified veterinarian. Americans stand ready to privately sponsor and assist in this effort! Now it's our Senate's turn to make this happen and get S. 1915 voted upon to be made law and close this loophole BEFORE the end session of the 109th Congress. Somehow, we doubt you want Foreign Governments and Americans to view the Senate as weak and ineffective! (www.hsus.org; )

"WHY HAVEN'T SENATORS HEARD DIRECTLY FROM HORSE RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS? In accordance with NFP 501(c)(3)/s Federal Law, rescue organizations are prohibited from Lobbying. It's as simple as that! American citizens and voters have become the voices of all rescue organizations in our fifty states. Even Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, and other nations are voicing with us and are appalled that this is happening to our national symbol of freedom right here in America." (www.timwoolleyracing.com ) (www.campaigningforbarbaro.com)

FACT 6: THOSE EATING "TOXIC HORSEMEAT" WILL END UP SICK AND WE AMERICANS WILL ULTIMATELY PAY FOR IT IN HIGHER TAXES UNLESS WE CLOSE THE FEDERAL LOOPHOLE.

WHY IS HUMAN CONSUMPTION OF HORSEMEAT DANGEROUS AND KNOWN AS THE SILENT UNSPOKEN ISSUE IN HORSESLAUGHTER?

"Based upon concrete medical evidence, American horses are given an array of unregulated medications, hormones, and steroids. Here are some of the substances given and found in horses based on toxology tests and the FDA prohibition of these substance in animals "INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION." (National Horse Protection Coalition, and www.barntowire.com )

"Phenylbutazone ("Bute"); substance given to horses for pain managment but outlawed to be given to humans in the USA as it causes severe blood dyscrasias and aplastic anemia, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia and death.
www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/03-4741.htm "For animals, phenylbutazone is currently approved only for oral and injectable use in dogs and horses. Use in horses is limited to NOT INTENDED FOR FOOD."

WHAT ABOUT ALL OF OUR STOLEN PET HORSES THAT END UP SLAUGHTERED & SENT OVERSEAS to the Europeon Union and Asia? They are being served tainted/toxic horsemeat USDA BLUE BOOK 2002: (www.barntowire.com/stophorseslaughter031227.html)
"Page 7 shows USDA DOES NOT TEST HORSES for the most commonly used medications in the equine community referencing Banamine, Phenylbutazone, and Clenbuterol (Beta 2 Agonist). Page 13 shows horses have the highest percentage rate of VIOLATION IN RELATION TO ANTIBIOTIC OVERAGES. Page 14 shows horses have the HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF OVERAGES FOR AVERMECTINS. (www.fsis.usda.gov/ophs/blue2002/sec6tab.pdf) "

*DOES ANYONE SEE ALARM BELLS GOING OFF HERE?*

"The same lackadaisical response to unsafe, tainted horsemeat should cause ALARM BELLS TO go off in Europe and Asia. The same countries who are banning imported American BEEF should be banning American horsemeat. It would seem, though, that the concern for HUMAN SAFETY has been OVERCOME by GREED for MONEY. Represenative Gary Ackerman (D-NY) said,"I blame it on greed, greed, greed! The greed of the Industry, the greed of the lobbyists, the greed of the members of Congress." In time, we will pay in higher taxes because of those becoming sick with cancers from eating tainted horsemeat.

*ANYONE WISH TO PROVE HIM WRONG

(Might want to check out www.beyonddelay.org and SEE WHO TOPS THE LIST OF CORRUPTION IN WASHINGTON D.C.'s SENATE; It's all on file and recorded)
(TOP 5 Most Corrupt Members of Congress To WATCH. Why are we not surprised?) www.beyonddelay.org/summaries/frist.php

FACT 7: WHY TRANSPORTING SLAUGHTER -BOUND HORSES PUTS THE REST OF THE HORSE POPULATION AT RISK

"Transportation of slaughter-bound horses puts the health of the general horse population aat risk because a "Coggins" Certificate is required to transport a horse to slaughter. Therefore, horses with Equine Infectious Anemia can be transported and held near other horses risking the rapid spread of infection. The disease is carried by horseflies. There is no vaccine for this disease, once a horse contracts it and there is no recoveryIt should also be noted that the care being taken to avoid the feeding of "downed cattle" to ruminants DOES NOT CARRY OVER TO HORSES. The protein from animals suspected of bovine spongiform encephalopathy can be processed into feed and supplements given to horses. It should also be noted that protein derived from horses can then be used in feed processed for cattle. Please see pages 5, 9, 33 and 34 of this document from the US General Accounting Office: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d02183.pdf .

Horsemeat is exported as a high-priced delicacy for human consumption. The European Union has strict laws in place controlling the substances given to horses intended for slaughter. This has increased the cost of horsemeat to Europe, and the foreign-owned slaughterhouses are able to slip in "cheaply-purchased meat" and sell it for high prices because of an overlooked loophole in the import certificatons. This despite that the above listed substances commonly found in "ALMOST ALL HORSES" are labeled "NOT FOR USE IN HORSES INTENDED FOR FOOD." (Gail Vacca, National Horse Protection Coalition)."

Fax to Sen. Isakson (R-GA)

2006-09-22T14:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Senator Isakson:

As a former, Cobb County resident and former real estate salesperson, I am writing to ask you to please consider becoming a co-sponsor of S.1915 “to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption, and for other purposes.” I realize that you support this bill; but I am asking you to do more to end this inhumane slaughter of our horses. By cosponsoring this bill, you will officially endorse preserving our AMERICAN HORSE HERITAGE and will help prevent killer horse auctions and plants from setting up operations elsewhere within the United States.

While, some would say that this is not an important matter given all other important matters facing the Senate, it is important because the Congressional intent is being thwarted. After the Ensign Amendment (No. 1753), to the Agriculture Appropriations Act, FY2006 was passed last year which prohibited the use of federal funds in the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption, the Agriculture Department allowed these slaughterhouses to remain open by allowing them to pay meat inspectors themselves instead of using taxpayer dollars. Thus, the spirit of the law was violated and this inhumane slaughter continues.

Conversely to what some opponents of this bill would have you believe, I am not a PETA fanatic. I enjoy steak, pork, lamb and chicken and plan to continue enjoying them; but horses are not a meat animal and in this country have only been eaten when the alternative was starvation. I find it ironic that a country such as Japan and the European Union that have sought to ban the import of U.S. beef are in favor of exporting horsemeat for human consumption as a gourmet delicacy.

Contrary to some arguments against this bill, these horses are not humanely euthanized. Horse slaughter is a far cry from humane euthanasia. "Euthanasia" means a gentle, painless death provided in order to prevent suffering. Horse slaughter is a death fraught with terror, pain, and suffering. Horses are shipped for more than 24 hours at a time in crowded double-decker cattle trucks without food, water, or rest. Pregnant mares, foals, injured horses, and even blind horses must endure the journey. Once they arrive, their suffering intensifies—undercover footage obtained by The Humane Society of the United States demonstrates that fully conscious horses are shackled and hoisted by the rear leg and have their throats slit. Because horses are skittish by nature, it is particularly difficult to align them correctly and ensure the captive bolt stun gun renders them unconscious. Unwanted horses should be humanely euthanized by a licensed veterinarian when no other option exists, rather than placed on a truck, cruelly transported, and then butchered. Most horse owners already use humane euthanasia for their older or ill horses.

As for the argument that there will be an increase in the number of abandoned and unwanted horses in the United States, and a slaughter ban will lead to an increase in horse abuse and starvation or neglect cases, according to the USDA, at least 5,000 horses have been imported into one of the three foreign-owned slaughter plants in the United States for slaughter since August 2004. If there were "too many" horses in the United States, then there would be no reason to import horses for slaughter. Furthermore, a ban on horse slaughter will not lead to an increase in horse abuse and neglect. In California, where horse slaughter was banned in 1998, there has been no corresponding rise in cruelty and neglect cases. In fact, horse theft has dropped by 34% since enactment of the ban. Allowing one's horse to starve is not an option—state anti-cruelty laws prohibit such neglect.

Lastly, rather than interfere with property ownership rights, this bill would actually protect horse owners from horse thieves who steal horses for sale to these slaughterhouses. Recently, the trend has been against treating non-food animals as property. In fact, in many states, including Georgia, deliberate cruelty to animals even if they are your own, is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Slaves were once considered property according to the Drew Scott decision by the U.S. Supreme Court; but that didn’t make the practice right and neither does the property right’s argument for inhumane slaughtering of horses for human consumption.
Sixty-nine percent of the United States support the ban of this horrible practice. Pictured below is a poster currently being distributed across the United States in support of S. 1915.

I urge you to lend your strong support to getting this bill to the floor of a Senate for a vote before the pre-election recess.

Respectfully,

Melissa D. Harden
Columbus, GA

Added "Salvation Flyer"

How You Can Help End Horse Slaughter for Human Consumption

2006-09-17T14:27:00.000-07:00

The first thing we need to do is get S.1915 out of committee and on to the floor of the Senate for debate and vote. I urge you to use the "Link to Members of the Senate Commerce Committee" post to reach them.

Secondly, you need to contact your own Senators to urge them to vote for S.1915. You can find contact information for your Senators at www.congress.org.

Link to Members of the Senate Commerce Committee

2006-09-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to the Senate Commerce Committee members: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/committees.tt?commid=scomm

The Senators in Green are already co-sponsors; but, we need them working to get S.1915 out of committee ASAP. The Senators in Yellow are supposedly supporters of S.1915; but, we need them to become co-sponsors and also work to get S.1915 out of committee ASAP.

Co-Sponsors:

Ted Stevens, of Alaska, Chairman
Trent Lott, of Mississippi
Olympia J. Snowe, of Maine
John Ensign, of Nevada
Jim DeMint,of South Carolina
Daniel K.Inouye,of Hawaii
Barbara Boxer, of California
John F. Kerry, of Massachusetts
Maria Cantwell, of Washington
Frank R. Lautenberg, of New Jersey
John McCain of Arizona
Bill Nelson of Florida

Supposedly Supporters:

Conrad Burns, of Montana
Kay Bailey Hutchison, of Texas
Gordon H. Smith, of Oregon
George Allen, of Virginia
John E. Sununu, of New Hampshire
David Vitter, of Louisiana
John D. Rockefeller IV, of West Virginia
Byron L. Dorgan, of North Dakota
E. Benjamin Nelson, of Nebraska
Mark L. Pryor, of Arkansas

Email Sent to Supporters of S.1915 on Senate Commerce Committe

2006-09-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

While I realize that there are many important interests facing the Senate, I think you will agree when the will of Congress is being thwarted, it is time to act.

Last year, the Ensign Amendment (No. 1753), to the Agriculture Appropriations Act, FY2006 was passed which prohibited the use of federal funds in the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption. Congress believed this amendment would force the closure of equine slaughterhouses; however, the Agriculture Department allowed these slaughterhouses to remain open by letting the owners pay their USDA meat inspectors instead of using U.S. taxpayer dollars. Thus, the spirit of the law was violated and this inhumane slaughter continues.

Thousands of Fans of Barbaro worked tirelessly to get HR503, House companion bill to S.1915, passed overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives with a vote of 263-146. This effort is wasted if S.1915 does not get out of committee without further delay and to the Senate floor for debate.

According to information that we have, everyone on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee is either a co-sponsor or supporter of the S.1915; so, would you kindly please work to get this bill out of committee and to the Senate floor for a vote before the pre-election recess.

Respectfully,

Melissa D. Harden
Columbus, GA

Email Sent to Co-Sponsors on the Senate Commerce Committee Members

2006-09-17T13:55:00.000-07:00

While I realize that there are many important interests facing the Senate, I think you will agree when the will of Congress is being thwarted, it is time to act.Last year, the Ensign Amendment (No. 1753), to the Agriculture Appropriations Act, FY2006 was passed which prohibited the use of federal funds in the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption. Congress believed this amendment would force the closure of equine slaughterhouses; however, the Agriculture Department allowed these slaughterhouses to remain open by letting the owners pay their USDA meat inspectors instead of using U.S. taxpayer dollars. Thus, the spirit of the law was violated and this inhumane slaughter continues.Ironically, Japan and countries of the European Union who have sought to ban U.S. Beef imports are perpetuating this slaughter.

Thousands of Fans of Barbaro worked tirelessly to get HR503, House companion bill to S.1915, passed overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives with a vote of 263-146. This effort is wasted if S.1915 does not get out of committee without further delay and to the Senate floor for debate.According to information that we have, everyone on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee is either a co-sponsor or supporter of the S.1915; so, as a co-sponsor, would you kindly please work to get this bill out of committee and to the Senate floor for a vote before the pre-election recess?

Respectfully,

Melissa D. Harden
Columbus, GA

Important Information for Anti-Slaughter Workers

2006-09-17T10:33:00.000-07:00

I have changed the "Join Bobby's Email Campaign for Racetrack Safety" link on the For the Love of Barbaro(http://webpages.charter.net/javaellybob/index.html)
website from "Bobby's Email Campaign" to "Join the Barbaro Campaign" because our efforts for Equine Protection have broadened beyond racetrack safety. On that page you will find two VERY IMPORTANT to find media contacts and congressional contacts.

My Four-Legged Children

2006-09-06T15:04:00.000-07:00

Reponse from Rep. Phil Gingrey (R- GA)

2006-09-06T14:51:00.000-07:00

September 6, 2006

Ms. Melissa D. Harden
1025 30th Street
Columbus, GA 31904

Thank you for contacting me regarding your concern over the treatment of American horses. I appreciate the opportunity to learn of your views on this matter.

As you may know, Rep. John Sweeney of New York introduced H.R. 503, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2005. The bill would outlaw the slaughter of horses for human consumption within the United States and attempt to reduce the destruction of horses abroad by prohibiting importation, transportation, and sale of horsemeat. This legislation is currently being considered by the House Agriculture, International Relations, and Ways and Means Committees. Rest assured, I understand your concerns and will follow this legislation closely as it makes its way through the committee process.

Again, thank you for sharing your concerns. Please feel free to contact me again if I can be of further assistance. Also, please remember that you can contact me via email at gingrey.ga@mail.house.gov or my website www.house.gov/gingrey.

Response from Rep. John Linder

2006-09-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

Asking for Support From Fort Benning

2006-09-04T13:48:00.000-07:00

Just sent the following article to the editor of "The Bayonet" official newspaper of Fort Benning asking for support:

General Patton was an Olympic equestrian who loved horses and is credited with saving the Lippizzaner stallions during WWII. The Spanish Riding School, celebrated the 60th anniversary of that rescue by visiting the United States in 2005. Also, I know that you are probably aware of the visit to Barbaro by two soldiers from Fort Benning presenting a flag that had previously flown over Iraq. Because of the heroic perserverance of Barbaro when many had given up on his survival, his fans (fondly know as "Barbaromaniacs") have united together to make a positive difference as part of his legacy.

I am the Georgia Ambassador for Barbaro (here in Columbus) and I am asking for the assistance of Fort Benning. I hope that you will publish the attached article in the Bayonet so everyone can join in our efforts.

General George S. Patton Would Approve!

General George S. Patton, a former commanding general of Fort Benning and one of World War II’s greatest generals, is credited with saving the famous Lipizzaner stallions (See article below). As the Georgia Ambassador the Barbaro Campaign to protect horses, I think General Patton would approve of our cause. In his memory, I am asking the soldiers at Fort Benning for their support for two of our major causes: (1) The Anti-Slaughter Amendment (HR 503) and (2) Racetrack Safety.

Currently, it is permitted to kill broken down horses and ship them overseas for human consumption. HR 503 seeks to end this practice in the United States. This bill is coming up for a vote soon after Congress returns from their summer recess probably September 7th; however, there is also a companion Senate Bill S.1925. In addition, we are asking Congress to form a committee to investigate unsafe racetracks because too many horses have been injured and euthanized this year due to possibly defective racetracks. Barbaro is one of the survivors and has become a heroic symbol to many as he has battled long odds to survive his injury. In fact, two soldiers from Fort Benning visited Barbaro shortly after his injury carrying with them a flag that had flown over Iraq in honor of his hero status.

I urge you to email or write your representatives and senators to ask them to support our efforts. A suggested email can be found on my “Georgia Ambassador for Barbaro” blog: http://www.fortheloveofbarbaro.blogspot.com/

(Except from Wikipedia)
The Rescue of the Lipizzaners
World War II presented perhaps the greatest threat ever faced by the Lipizzaners breed. The Nazis took the breeding stock from Piber to a German-run stud farm at Hostau, in what today is the Czech Republic. Threatened by bombing raids, the stallions later evacuated Vienna for St. Martin's, in upper Austria, where there was little food for human or animals and starving refugees sometimes attempted to steal the horses to eat.[6] Under the leadership of Alois Podhajsky, then the director of the Spanish Riding School, both the stallions and the equestrian traditions were preserved.

In 1945, the United States Army took control of St. Martins. General George S. Patton, of the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Group, had been a fellow equestrian competitor with Podhajsky in the Olympic Games prior to the war. The two men renewed their acquaintance, and after an impressive performance by the remaining horses and riders of the school in front of Patton and Undersecretary of War Robert Patterson, the Americans agreed to place the stallions under the protection of the United States until they could safely be returned to the people of Austria after the war.

Then, when Hostau fell behind Soviet lines, a plea went out to the Americans from some captured German officers to rescue the horses before they fell into Soviet hands, because it was feared they would be slaughtered for horsemeat. Patton responded. Under the leadership of Col. Charles H. Reed, on April 28, members of Troops A, C and F of the 42nd Squadron conducted a raid behind Soviet lines and accepted the surrender of the Germans at Hostau. Reed later said, the surrender was "more a fiesta than a military operation, as the German troops drew up an honor guard and saluted the American troops as they came in."[7] Though only 250 horses survived the war, the breed was saved.

In 2005, the Spanish Riding School celebrated the 60th anniversary of George S. Patton's rescue by touring the United States.

CNN Notified About the Anti-Slaughter Amendment

2006-09-02T08:39:00.000-07:00

I just submitted an idea for a story on the Anti-Slaughter Amendment to CNN. Told them about the issue, that the bill has been stalled in committee and how we became involved through our love for Barbaro. If any of you know anyone with influence at CNN, help us with this. Here is the reply that I have received so far from CNN:

Thank you for this submission. Public Information reviews and summarizes story ideas, and distributes them to appropriate news divisions for consideration. If it is decided the story is something of interest that can be developed for on-air reporting, you may be contacted for more information.

Because of the volume of story suggestions we receive, we are unable to reply with information on whether or not it will be used.

Thank you again for sending it our way.
CNN Public Information

New Anti-Slaughter Email Campaign

2006-09-01T11:20:00.000-07:00

HB 503 Anti-Slaughter Amendment is nearing a vote as soon as Congress returns from summer recess. Visit the following link to find out how to write your representatives and us the following email (if desired) to urge them to support this amendment: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/

There are far fewer horses in the United States than cats and dogs; yet, when cats and dogs get old, they either die or are gently "put to sleep." Following this, they are either buried by their owners or cremated by the veterinarian. Horses who helped make this country great should be allowed no lesser treatment. Please view the video "Circle of Life" at the following link in order to appreciate these magnificent creatures who need your support: http://www.dailymotion.com/javaellybob/video/xb3v5_circle-of-life0001

As you campaign for re-election, your title as "Protector of Horses" far outweighs "Favors Horses Being Killed" does it not? Please, I genuinely ask and urge you to support HB 503 Anti-Slaughter Amendment. Your vote can make a decisive difference.

Thank you kindly in advance.

Sincerely,

New Poll

2006-08-28T15:15:00.000-07:00

I have just posted a poll asking the question "Have you started watching more horseracing because of Barbaro?" on the Tim Woolley Discussion forum. I thought the statistics might prove useful in influencing racing officials if they want to keep interest high they might be more receptive to safer racetracks. I hope you will go to the site and participate.

Georgia Representatives Supporting HB 503

2006-08-28T05:05:00.000-07:00

I am proud to say that Representatives Roscoe Bartlett, John Lewis and John Linder are supporting HB 503.

Anti-Slaughter Bill and Racetrack Safety

2006-08-27T15:52:00.000-07:00

I need your help. I have emailed all of my U.S. Congressional and Senate Representatives asking them to support this bill. Because of restrictions to actual contituents in most cases, I cannot reach others. Please use the following email to write your Congressmen/Congresswomen:

To find all of your state representatives, use the following:
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

I am writing to urge you to support the Anti-Slaughter Bill. On July 25, 2006, veterinarian, Dr. Patricia Hogan testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce subcommittee to support the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act known as HR 503. According to Hogan, "Horse slaughter uses a method called the captive bolt, which involves aiming a bolt gun at the forehead of a partially restrained horse in what is commonly termed the "kill pen." "This pen is at the end of an assembly line of horses that are fed through the plant," she said. "If the bolt is applied properly, the horse is rendered unconscious upon impact and drops to the ground so that the carcass can then be bled out prior to death." She further stated that there is a great deal of room for human and technical error with the captive-bolt method. She also said the recommendation for "adequate restraint" is loosely defined and open for interpretation. Ferdinand, winner of the 1986 Kentucky Derby was a victim of this vicious practice. He is pictured in my video, "Circle of Life." Please view it at: http://www.dailymotion.com/javaellybob/video/xb3v5_circle-of-life0001. Sunday Silence, winner of the 1989 Kentucky Derby and Preakness was allowed to suffer terribly before he died.

Also, please help change the present dangerous conditions of horseracing tracks in America. Recently, the tragic or fatal breakdowns of Grand Champion Race Horses - like Kentucky Derby Winner 2006 Barbaro Jackson's - are now up over 37% in July alone (based on recent California's Del Mar and Chicago's Arlington Park statistics). The above named video pays tribute to some of these magnificent creatures.At the very least, Congress ought to call for a study into the conditions of these racetracks. Perhaps synthetic track is the answer or perhaps Action Track that is in use in Canberra, Australia.

Barbaro, winner of this year's Kentucky Derby, suffered a tragic breakdown at the Preakness and has become a national and international hero with thousands sending him cards, well-wishes and treats. Many of these can be seen on my website "For the Love of Barbaro": http://webpages.charter.net/javaellybob/index.html He has inspired so many to write poems and create videos. Two soldiers from Ft. Benning paid a special visit to Barbaro with a flag flown in IRAQ just 8 hours before to honor this noble animal who is struggling to survive. He has become a national hero to many and we are voters.

Surely, no one can dispute, that without the horse, this country would not have achieved greatness as early as it did. They have have carried cavalry, provided mail via the Pony Express, pulled catafalques, cannons, ambulances, covered-wagons and delivery wagons. The Grand Champion Race Horses have provided us with the joy of watching them race and have earned millions of dollars across the country in racing and in stud fees.

We owe these wonderful beings our respect and protection.

Sincerely,