Texas Today

As of tomorrow the Agriculture Appropriations bill which contains words to STOP the practice of the American horses being hauled to slaughterplants for human consumption here as well as to Mexico and Canada will be voted on by the house.
There may be a amendment to strip the entire provison. We can’t have that happen after all the efforts we have put up here in Texas.
Please just make a quick phone call to your U.S. Representative and leave a message urging your strong support to end horse slaughter and opposition that would strike the language otherwise. Capital switchboard (202) 224-3121

Section 123 in the 2007 farm bill would mandate all states to lift their ban on horse slaughter. Please take this seriously and call both your US Senators and your US Representative today and ask them to OPPOSE section 123 of the farm bill. It’s currently being introduced now and will be heard in committee this month.

Thanks to the on going pressure of people like you, Governor Rick Perry signed the bill HB 2714. This is limited to monitors, desktop and laptop computers. However, House author Rep. Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) committed to support legislation in 2009 that will provide recycling for televisions. We are the 4th state in the last 2 months to join.

The House and State Legislature have passed HB 2714 and recycling of TVs in 2009!!! What’s this all about? Electronic companies have been producing massive amounts of product with no proper disposal system. Yeah, our old PCs have been stock pilling in a landfill somewhere filled with toxic materials such a lead, mercury and brominated flame-retardants (the new PCBs) and leaking into our own health! Producers would be required to take back and recycle their obsolete products if Mr.Perry signs the bill..Here is where you come in. June 17th is the last day to sign so please call, fax, email, write a letter and stick in in the mail TODAY and urge him to put the pen to paper!! More importantly, by this bill passing we would be the very first red state to do so and the 5th overall for this program!! Yeah, this would make us #1 in something!!! Go ahead and do it, you know you want to!
The State Governor Contact info:

Address: The Honorable Rick Perry

Governor’s Office

P.O. Box 12428

Austin TX 78711

Toll free number ( if you are calling before 5 please stay on the line to be connected to a live person) 1-800-252-9600

Fax:(512) 463-1849

Electronic form online by visiting here http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact

The news I have been anxiously awaiting for came in earlier today. We now can officially say GOODBYE to horse slaughter in the state of Texas!!! Slaughter industry efforts to overturn a 1949 Texas state law that said horse slaughter for human consumption was illegal was not overturned like they so wanted. No more slaughter houses in the whole United States remain open! Now on it’s way to the federal level is a bill that will make damn sure this will not have to ruin an innocent creatures life again. Make sure to keep your eyes open and lend your support to the ban forever. I’m honestly so excited..I was getting so worried that they were going to just bypass this bill and screw us over again. Comes to show when enough people voice their opinion our senators really will listen to what we have to say. Many thanks and enjoy the basking glow of all your tireless campaigning!!! Now, let’s all go gather round Willie’s place.haha=)

Alright, if you have been keeping up with the latest happenings this past week in Austin ( or the guys whole career) I’d like to hear from you. Post away and don’t leave anything out. The members did pass the random steroid testing bill as well as the state budget (which would’ve forced a special session had that not been voted on)during the frenzy but not before some members were physically restrained from the podium and a storm of over 50 house members walking out with keys in hand. If this weren’t enough going awry Denise Davis, the House parliamentarian as well as assistant parliamentarian Christopher Griesel have officially resigned over the incident. If anyone should step down I’d say Craddick should but we all know he’s only in this game to win.I’ll be posting more as this unfolds.

The House and Senate have passed the “so-called” Healthy Marriage Bill and it’s now ready to have Gov.Rick Perry’s signature. Which means that even though it’s not required ( not yet anyway) if you and your soon to be spouse take 8 hours of counseling together you will not have to pay double the amount for your marriage license. The current fee would be $60.00 without .Personally, I rather pay the extra bucks considering you will pay a hell of alot more than that towards your sessions. I also think it’s not the government’s job to help me decide if this is the guy I would want to marry or not. They are meddling in more than they have a say so in if you ask me. What’s next? Where I’m allowed to honeymoon??

Congress to consider 2 bills next week and your help is needed!!!
Dear Humanitarian:

1. AMERICAN HORSE SLAUGHTER PREVENTION ACT

On April 25, the US Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will hold a mark-up for S. 311, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA). At the mark-up, Committee members will decide on the language of a measure they expect to report to the full Senate.

While support on the Senate Commerce Committee is strong, it is critical that all Committee member including cosponsors of this bill hear from an outpouring of constituents. Please urge the members of the Committee to stand strong against any misinformation that is being spread by pro-horse slaughter groups and individuals. Ask all members of the Committee to vote in favor of S. 311 and encourage Senate leadership to move the bill swiftly to the full Senate for consideration. If your own Senator is on the Committee it is especially important for you to contact him/her. Two years ago, the US Senate voted overwhelming to stop horse slaughter for a year; S. 311 will ensure that the practice is stopped permanently.

2. A BILL TO RESTORE THE PROHIBITION ON THE COMMERCIAL SALE AND SLAUGHTER OF WILD FREE-ROAMING HORSES AND BURROS

In the House of Representatives, Members of Congress will have an opportunity to take a stand for wild horses when H.R. 249 comes up for a vote on Thursday. Introduced by Chairman Nick Rahall (D-WV), this bill would stop the commercial exploitation and slaughter of wild horses by repealing the 2004 “Burns rider” and restoring the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act to its original language.

Passage of these bills is critical to the welfare of America’s horses. Congress has spoken out several times against the slaughter of both wild and domestic horses, and now they must take a stand to keep our horses safe forever.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
A. Please call and fax members of the Senate Commerce Committee TODAY, urging them to vote “YES” on S. 311, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. If they are currently cosponsoring the bill, also ask them to speak out on behalf of this important measure during the mark-up and persuade their colleagues to join them in support. Feel free to refer to the facts about horse slaughter listed below.

For a complete listing of committee members and their contact information, click here: www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=About.Members. To learn more about our campaign to stop horse slaughter for human consumption, please visit www.saplonline.org/horses.htm.

B. Please contact your Representative as well, asking that he or she vote “YES” on H.R. 249 to restore protections for wild horses when the measure comes to the House floor for a vote next Thursday. For more information on these animals’ plight and how to contact your Representative, please click here: www.saplonline.org/w_horses.htm.
Additionally, please share this eAlert with family, friends and co-workers, and encourage them to contact the Commerce Committee Senators and their Representatives, too. As always, thank you very much for your help!

What a great session this would be if we can get something passed for good on these issues!! Please spread the word to all your animal loving friends!

FACTS AND FAQ’s ABOUT HORSE SLAUGHTER
Last year, three foreign-owned slaughter plants cruelly slaughtered more than 100,000 horses for human consumption in Europe and Asia. Tens of thousands more of America’s horses were exported from the United States and slaughtered in other countries.
Slaughter is NOT humane euthanasia. Horses suffer horribly on the way to and during slaughter.
Passage of the AHSPA will reduce animal suffering ­hence its wide support throughout the equestrian and veterinary world, as well as the humane community.
Americans overwhelmingly support an end to horse slaughter for human consumption. In California, a 1998 ballot initiative to ban horse slaughter for human consumption passed with 60 percent of the vote.
Animal cruelty is NOT a property rights issue. It is illegal to abuse and neglect any animal, and horse slaughter is one of many tragic forms of animal cruelty.
A recent ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Texas law making the operation of the two Texas plants illegal.
The US District Court recently ruled that the US Department of Agriculture scheme that allowed the horse slaughter facilities to hire their own inspectors is a violation federal law. All plants were ordered to close immediately.
Horse slaughter has been stopped temporarily in the United States, but could resume without passage of the AHSPA. Horses are still being shipped to Mexico and Canada for slaughter, causing even greater suffering.

Take a look at the latest!!
For Immediate Release

COURT DECLARES HORSE SLAUGHTER TO BE ILLEGAL

Washington, D.C. (March 28, 2007) – In a 51-page opinion issued just
hours ago, United States District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly
held that the slaughter of horses in America violates federal law. In
her opinion, issued in response to a lawsuit filed in February 2006 by
the Society for Animal Protective Legislation (SAPL) and other humane
organizations and individuals, Judge Kollar-Kotelly ruled that the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) violated the National Environmental
Policy Act by failing to conduct an environmental impact review of its
decision to allow the continuation of horse slaughter.

“Tonight, after years of legislation and litigation, America’s three
horse slaughterhouses can no longer kill horses for human consumption,”
states Chris Heyde, deputy legislative director for the Society for
Animal Protective Legislation. “We call on Illinois-based Cavel
International to work with the humane and rescue communities to find
permanent safe homes for the hundreds of horses who were slated for
slaughter, to give them a second chance at life.”

The rule that was vacated by the court, was promulgated by the USDA’s
Food Safety and Inspection Service to create a fee-for-service
inspection process for horses slaughtered for human consumption. The
rule circumvented a Congressionally approved amendment to the FY 2006
Agricultural Appropriations Act that cut federal funding for the
required inspections. Because of continuing resolutions approved by
Congress to fund the government, today’s ruling is effective
immediately.

There are three horse slaughterhouses in America, one in Illinois and
two in Texas. Though the Texas plants were recently forced to stop
slaughtering horses for human consumption when an appellate court upheld
a Texas law making it illegal to sell, possess and transport horsemeat
for sale for human consumption, the Illinois plant has been killing
approximately 1,000 horses per week.

“The American public has overwhelmingly opposed the slaughter of
America’s horses for human consumption and now the courts have declared
horse slaughter to be illegal,” adds Heyde. “While horses will no
longer be butchered in the U.S. they can be hauled under appalling
conditions to an even more brutal death in plants across the U.S.
border. Congress must pass federal legislation to extend the
protections to all horses and to send a clear message to those few who
profit from this barbaric trade.”

Currently pending in Congress are H.R. 503 and its Senate companion
measure, S. 311, which would ban the slaughter of horses for human
consumption and prohibit the transport of horses outside of the United
States for slaughter.
I’ll will keep you guys posted as soon as anything else comes up!! Way to go!

Dan Patrick, R-Dallas is introducing a bill that would pay women 500 dollars to put their child up for adoption instead of having an abortion.He claims the funding from this program would be taken out of the money allotted for Planned Parenthood.