Post by diamondindykin on Sept 6, 2006 22:20:17 GMT -5
Horse Slaughterhouse Fight Goes To Washington
Brooke Richie
Reporting
(CBS 11 News) WASHINGTON The issue of horse slaughterhouses drew hundreds of people to Capitol Hill Tuesday. They were there to support a bill that would effectively shut down the nation's three horse processing plants. Two of those plants are in Kaufman, Texas and Fort Worth.
The rally drew everyone from the mayor of Kaufman. "In my community, we have a horse slaughter plant that treats our town like a doormat. That's the very best way I can put it," said Paula Bacon, Kaufman mayor.
Even Willie Nelson's daughter, Amy, read a poem during the rally. “Before horse, humans were earth-bound, heavy-laden and slow creatures indeed. Once humans climbed on horses' back, they were as free and fleet as the wind," she read.
All of the protestors were fighting, they say, to preserve an icon of the old west.
“Horses are part of our culture, part of our American west. Other states were made in barn, but Texas came from hoof and horn," said Eddie Kilroy, XM Radio host.
On Thursday, the House of Representatives will vote on the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. It would end the transport and trade of horse meat for human consumption.
"What more can you do to mistreat a horse than ship one 1,500 miles and submit them to slaughter for a foreign delicacy?" asked Wayne Pacelle, Humane Society of the United States, president and CEO.
The topic has triggered emotional responses, even from some unaffected by the industry, including Texas oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens. His spokesperson told CBS 11 News, “He's pleased with the outpouring of support and attention this issue has drawn. He's looking forward to the vote. He is confident it will pass, but he understands the need to continue to shore up support."
Some say enacting the bill would be inhumane to horses. Former congressman Charlie Stenholm says, "City and county government understand that when there are unwanted dogs and cats, they end up having to deal with them. What about 125,000 unwanted horses? Who is going to care for them?"
Each side says its way is the most compassionate, and each side says it's confident it will prevail.
Supporters of the bill say if it passes the House on Thursday, they'll immediately start developing a strategy to pass it in the Senate.
(CBS 11 News)
Brooke Richie
Reporting
(CBS 11 News) WASHINGTON The issue of horse slaughterhouses drew hundreds of people to Capitol Hill Tuesday. They were there to support a bill that would effectively shut down the nation's three horse processing plants. Two of those plants are in Kaufman, Texas and Fort Worth.
The rally drew everyone from the mayor of Kaufman. "In my community, we have a horse slaughter plant that treats our town like a doormat. That's the very best way I can put it," said Paula Bacon, Kaufman mayor.
Even Willie Nelson's daughter, Amy, read a poem during the rally. “Before horse, humans were earth-bound, heavy-laden and slow creatures indeed. Once humans climbed on horses' back, they were as free and fleet as the wind," she read.
All of the protestors were fighting, they say, to preserve an icon of the old west.
“Horses are part of our culture, part of our American west. Other states were made in barn, but Texas came from hoof and horn," said Eddie Kilroy, XM Radio host.
On Thursday, the House of Representatives will vote on the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. It would end the transport and trade of horse meat for human consumption.
"What more can you do to mistreat a horse than ship one 1,500 miles and submit them to slaughter for a foreign delicacy?" asked Wayne Pacelle, Humane Society of the United States, president and CEO.
The topic has triggered emotional responses, even from some unaffected by the industry, including Texas oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens. His spokesperson told CBS 11 News, “He's pleased with the outpouring of support and attention this issue has drawn. He's looking forward to the vote. He is confident it will pass, but he understands the need to continue to shore up support."
Some say enacting the bill would be inhumane to horses. Former congressman Charlie Stenholm says, "City and county government understand that when there are unwanted dogs and cats, they end up having to deal with them. What about 125,000 unwanted horses? Who is going to care for them?"
Each side says its way is the most compassionate, and each side says it's confident it will prevail.
Supporters of the bill say if it passes the House on Thursday, they'll immediately start developing a strategy to pass it in the Senate.
(CBS 11 News)
