ILLINOIS STATE LEGISLATORS DEFEAT HORSE SLAUGHTER BAN AMID JOKES AND JEERS
SPRINGFIELD, Il, May 28, 2004 (iFH) -- The Illinois State House of Representatives began their Memorial Day weekend by angrily shouting down the idea of passing a bill to prevent horse slaughter for human consumption.
Debate quickly degenerated with accusations that if horse people got their way with the passage of such an act, it would condemn innocent citizens to live in squalor and force seniors to eat cat food.
Vivian Farrell, President of the Int'l Fund for Horses responds, "Americans do not eat horse meat. Thousands of American horses are butchered in this country every year for human consumption overseas where it is considered a delicacy. Consumers in those countries pay as much as $22 a pound for it. What does that have to do with what the seniors can afford to eat? Insofar as the squalor argument, I have never heard of horses having an impact on the housing market, human or otherwise."
The worst moment came when, with jeers and catcalls, assertions were made from the Floor that half naked pictures had been circulated in an attempt to persuade legislators to vote for the measure. These slurs were obviously directed at "10" actress Bo Derek, who appeared and testified intelligently on behalf of the bill.
When finally voted on, the bill was defeated 51-60-5.
"It appears," Farrell adds, "that in the Illinois state legislature, rationality, facts, and reason are the kiss of death for getting a bill passed. Making horse noises, lewd jokes, and outlandish arguments are more the order of the day. Voters, take note."
The Int'l Fund for Horses is the most dynamic equine advocacy organization of its kind. Headquartered in the United States, the Int'l Fund for Horses works for the enactment and enforcement of horse protection laws, and intervenes on behalf of horses in health, safety and welfare issues. Learn more at www.horsefund.org.
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If you would like more information on this topic, or to schedule an interview with Vivian, please telephone 713.893.7813, or email her here.
