Black Caucus reportedly wins the day for pro horse slaughter camp in the Illinois State House
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (May 28, 2004) -- A group of legislators in the Illinois State House of Representatives began their Memorial Day weekend by angrily shouting down the idea of passing a bill to ban horse slaughter for human consumption knowing they had the votes to defeat it thanks to the Black Caucus.
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. Other taunts by pro slaughter legislators were accompanied by imitations of neighing horses amid fits of laughter.
The most bizarre moment came when, with jeers and catcalls, assertions were made from the Floor that half naked pictures were circulated in an attempt to persuade legislators to vote for the measure. These slurs were directed at "10" actress Bo Derek, who appeared and testified intelligently on behalf of the bill.
When finally voted on, the bill was defeated 60-51. The bill had passed resoundingly in the Illinois Senate. 51-60-5.
Despite the circus like atmosphere, the hijinks did not affect the outcome one way or the other.
"We were told when it was all over, a backroom deal was struck between the bill's opposition and the Black Caucus who agreed to use their votes to tilt the outcome in favor of the pro slaughter camp,” explains Vivian Farrell, President of the horse protection group, The Fund for Horses.
The failure of the bill paves the way for the re-opening of Cavel International in DeKalb, giving the U.S. its third horse slaughter plant. The other two are in Texas.
The Illinois state legislators who made this possible are:
Representatives Frank Aguilar; Patricia Bailey; Mark Beaubien Jr.; Bob Biggins; William Black; Mike Boland; Mike Bost; John Bradley; Dan Brady; Rich Brauer; Daniel Burke; Linda Chapa LaVia; Annazette Collins; Tom Cross; Shane Cultra; Lisa Dugan; Kenneth Dunkin; Joe Dunn; Roger Eddy; Robert Flider; Mary Flowers; Calvin Giles; Careen Gordon; William Grunloh; Gary Hannig; Brent Hassert; Randall Hultgren; Charles Jefferson; Lovana Jones; Kevin Joyce; Rosemary Kurtz; David Leitch; Patricia Reed Lindner; Eileen Lyons; John Millner; Bill Mitchell; Jerry Mitchell; Donald Moffitt; Ruth Munson; Richard Myers; JoAnn Osmond; Brandon Phelps; Raymond Poe; Robert Pritchard; Chapin Rose; Jim Sacia; Angelo Saviano; Timothy Schmitz; Ricca Slone; Michael Smith; Keith Sommer; Art Tenhouse; Arthur Turner; Patrick Verschoore; Ronald Wait; Eddie Washington; Jim Watson; Dave Winters; Wyvetter Younge; and House Speaker Mike Madigan (who reportedly claims he made a mistake and will change his vote for the record).
Legislators who voted "present", in effect the same as a "no" are:
Representatives Jack Franks; Deborah Graham; Constance Howard; Charles Morrow; and Dan Reitz.
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 protection of horses through intervention, education and legislation. Learn more at www.fund4horses.org.
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If you would like more information on this topic or schedule an interview with Vivian, please telephone 713.893.7813 or email info@fund4horses.org.
