Congressmen Jim Moran (VA-8) and Christopher Shays (CT-4) introduce legislation to create national anti-cruelty standards for farm animals.
by Kris Haley, Best Friends Manager of Multifaith Outreach“Abuse and torture are wrong, regardless if it involves a pet or an animal being raised for food."
So said Congressman Jim Moran of Virginia as he and fellow Congressman Christopher Shays, Co-Chair of Congress' Friends of Animals Caucus, introduced groundbreaking legislation (H.R. 6202) on June 5th. “All sensate creatures deserve humane treatment," said Moran, " whether in the home or on the farm. This legislation will make those who might inflict pain and suffering on living things to think twice.”
Both Congressmen, attended the signing of, "A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion," last November 7th, in Washington, D.C. Facilitated by Best Friends, the Proclamation was created by a group of over 30 faith leaders from more than 21 faith traditions, who engaged in a discourse about animals and faith with a particular focus on inspiring people of faith to acknowledge kindness and compassion for animals as core spiritual values.
In addition to the Proclamation, the group authored a separate document that includes five, "Calls To Action," inviting people of faith to consider how they can introduce more compassionate choices into their lives. H.R. 6202 speaks to the second of those "Calls To Action."
To read the full story about this exciting legislation, visit:
http://moran.house.gov/apps/list/press/va08_moran/FarmAni.shtml WHAT YOU CAN DO To read the proposed Act in its entirety, visit the
RESOURCES section of the Animals & Religion Network Community (
http://www.network.bestfriends.org/religion) and click on
Miscellaneous DocumentsSend a 'thank-you' email to Rep. Moran (
http://moran.house.gov/ ) and Rep. Shays (
http://www.house.gov/shays/ )
Visit
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml and encourage your state's representatives in Washington to vote for H.R. 6202.
Invite your faith leader, friends and family to read and endorse, "A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion," by visiting
http://www.bestfriends.org/signproc Photo of Rep. Tom Moran and Best Friends' Michael Mountain at the Proclamation's November 2007 unveiling, in Washington, D.C.
Photo Credit: Rebecca Preston, Best Friends Animal Society