Equine Voices

Equine Voices
Letter to Senator Jon Kyl

Dear Honorable Senator Jon Kyl,

In November 2004 Congress unanimously passed a resolution declaring December 13 as “National Day of the Horse”. This resolution states that the horse “is a living link to the history of the United States, that horses continue to permeate the society of the United States, as witnessed on movie screens, on open land and in our own backyards”, and that “wild and domestic horses rely on humans for adequate food, water and shelter, and deserve protection and compassion.” This was indeed an historic moment to celebrate and honor the contribution of the horse in the development of our Nation.

Ironically that same month, the Burns Amendment was surreptitiously slipped into the Omnibus Appropriations Budget, which served to eliminate the protection given America’s wild horses under The Free Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act passed in 1971. As a result, 40 mustangs ended up slaughtered in a foreign owned horse slaughter plant, based in Illinois.

In September, 2006 the House of Representatives passed by overwhelming majority, The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. However, the session ended before the Senate had a chance to vote on the measure. Every week that Congress fails to act on this bill, thousands of American horses will be slaughtered for human consumption abroad. S 311 would put an end to the cruel and inhumane practice of horse slaughter by effectively prohibiting horse slaughter for human consumption.

I am requesting that you:
  • Co-sponsor S 311 (companion bill HR 503) The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. Passage of this bill would permanently put an end to the slaughter of horses for human consumption, and transport to other countries for human consumption. Americans do not eat horses. Our American horses are slaughtered for human consumption in foreign countries.

  • Sponsor a senate version of HR 249 that will restore the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act to its original language and intent which ensures protection for our wild horses.

  • Request a moratorium on round-ups of wild horses on Federal lands until agencies and organization interested in their welfare are allowed time to provide suggestions for improved “in the wild” management, and until a Congressional investigation by the Government Accounting Office into current wild horse management practice is completed.
Your support would represent a true belief in the resolution passed unanimously declaring a celebration of the “National Day of the Horse.” Please honor this magnificent symbol of American freedom by your actions. I respectfully request a response from you stating your position on these issues.

Name

Address
City, State Zip

Email

Phone



Home - About Us - Issues - Programs - How to Help - Natural Horse Corral - Gift Shop - Site Map

Equine Voices