09-R143

2009 -- H 6026

Enacted 03/31/09

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO SUPPORT FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO PROTECT AMERICAN HORSES FROM SLAUGHTER FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

Introduced By: Representatives A Rice, Serpa, and Gallison

Date Introduced: March 25, 2009

     WHEREAS, The slaughter of American horses has continued unabated despite the

closing in 2007 of the three slaughter houses then still operating within the United States; and

      WHEREAS, Federal legislation has been introduced, the Conyers-Burton Prevention of

Equine Cruelty Act of 2009, that would prohibit the possession, shipping, transporting,

purchasing, selling, delivering, or receiving of horses and other equines in interstate or foreign

commerce for slaughter for human consumption; and

      WHEREAS, Horse slaughter is not humane euthanasia and is in fact animal torture and

cruelty; and

      WHEREAS, Horse slaughter has been detrimental to the communities where

slaughtering facilities have been located, with significant negative impacts to these communities

ranging from nuisance odors to chronic sewer and environmental violations; and

      WHEREAS, Horse slaughter has been found to increase and abet horse theft; and

      WHEREAS, Horse slaughter is not a means of controlling numbers of unwanted,

abandoned or neglected horses, but, rather, is a for-profit operation driven by a demand for

horsemeat in some foreign countries; and

      WHEREAS, American horses are not raised, fed and medicated within the FDA

guidelines established for food animals, making them potentially unfit and unsafe for human

consumption; and

      WHEREAS, In America, horses are an icon of our history, traditions, and culture,

revered for their contributions to the building of this country, their companionship and special

bond with people; now, therefore be it

      RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby urges the United States Congress to support federal legislation to

protect American horses from slaughter for human consumption; and be it further

      RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Majority

Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives,

and to the members of the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation.

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LC02327

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