[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 84 (Monday, June 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                BEST FRIENDS KINDNESS TO ANIMALS WEEKEND

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                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 26, 2006

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that 
this past weekend was designated by Best Friends Animals Society as 
Best Friends Kindness Weekend.
  Best Friends Animal Society, based outside Kanab, Utah, works with 
shelters and rescue groups nationwide to bring about a time when there 
will be no more homeless pets. Best Friends operates the country's 
largest sanctuary for homeless animals, and provides adoption, spay/
neuter, and educational programs nationwide.
  The purpose of Best Friends Weekend was to remind all of us how 
animals enrich our lives through their companionship, friendship and 
love. Best Friends Animal Society believes that dedicating one weekend 
each year to promoting kind acts towards animals can make our 
communities and our world a better place.
  Cruelty to animals often leads to cruelty to people. I've been a 
strong and outspoken supporter of animal welfare issues since first 
coming to Congress, and I've authored legislation to help protect 
animals and promote their welfare. Organizations like Best Friends 
serve as a conscience to lawmakers and the country in these matters and 
remind us that our first duty is to protect the most vulnerable and 
innocent among us.
  This past weekend's activities of kindness inspired by Best Friends 
should serve as a reminder to all of us, that in this increasing 
fragmented society we need to be ever more compassionate about the 
animals in our world, whether they are companion pets, service animals 
such as seeing-eye dogs, livestock, or nature's wildlife. It also 
serves as a reminder that the bond between humans and animals is a 
vital one and is capable of bringing joy and healing to people of all 
ages. Finally, it serves to remind us to be more kind and compassionate 
to our fellow man. We coexist in this world--human to human and human 
to animal--and those bonds must be maintained and kept strong.

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