[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 103 (Monday, June 25, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H7024-H7025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL PET WEEK

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 142) expressing the sense of the 
Congress that there should be established a National Pet Week, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 142

       Whereas this year marks the 26th anniversary of ``National 
     Pet Week'', sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical 
     Association and the Auxiliary to the American Veterinary 
     Medical Association;
       Whereas animals and pets give companionship and pleasure in 
     daily living, share the homes of nearly 69,000,000 
     individuals or families in the United States, and provide 
     special benefits to elderly persons and children;
       Whereas the people of the United States have a firm 
     commitment to promote responsible care of animals and pets 
     and guard against cruel and irresponsible treatment;
       Whereas teaching kindness and respect for all living 
     animals through education in schools and communities is 
     essential to the basic values of a humane and civilized 
     society;
       Whereas the people of the United States are grateful to the 
     veterinary medical profession for providing preventive and 
     emergency medical care and assistance to animals, spaying and 
     neutering animals to combat overpopulation, and contributing 
     to the education of animal owners; and
       Whereas the people of the United States are indebted to 
     animal protection organizations, State humane organizations, 
     and local animal care and control agencies for promoting 
     respect for animals and pets, educating children about humane 
     attitudes, and caring for lost, unwanted, abused, and 
     abandoned animals: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That it is the sense of the Congress--
       (1) that there should be established an annual National Pet 
     Week; and
       (2) the goals and ideals expressed during National Pet Week 
     should be guides for the people of the United States to 
     observe in the care of pets.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Shays) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.


                             General Leave

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on this piece of legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of 
H. Con. Res. 142, a bill expressing the sense of Congress there should 
be established a National Pet Week. H. Con. Res. 142, which has 53 
cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Christopher Shays on May 
3, 2007. H. Con. Res. 142 was reported from the Oversight Committee on 
June 12, 2007, by voice vote.
  National Pet Week was jointly founded in 1991 by the American 
Veterinary Medical Association and the Auxiliary to the AVMA and is now 
widely celebrated throughout the United States and other parts of the 
world.
  Each year National Pet Week's goals are to promote responsible pet 
ownership, celebrate the bonding and mutual admiration between animals 
and humans and promote public awareness of veterinary medicine.
  Animals and pets provide companionship and pleasure to nearly 69 
million individuals and families in the United States. These 
individuals have dedicated themselves to the care and responsibility of 
treating animals with love and respect.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Christopher Shays 
for introducing this legislation and I urge swift passage of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today we stand with 69 million households in celebrating 
the joy of pet ownership and recognizing the obligations of responsible 
animal care as we call on this Congress to establish a National Pet 
Week.
  Some 63 percent of Americans have accepted the calling of pet 
ownership and have opened their homes to millions of cats, dogs, birds, 
fish, and other animals. For this generous action, they are rewarded 
with love, companionship and support. Studies have shown an additional 
benefit of pet ownership include a healthier life.
  A National Pet Week would also honor those who provide medical 
treatment as well as responsible care for animals, who are certainly 
deserving of

[[Page H7025]]

such treatment. There are approximately 75,000 practicing veterinarians 
in the United States who perform a great service for this country by 
giving preventative and emergency care for animals. These veterinarians 
are also credited with educating pet owners about the benefits of 
spaying or neutering their animals, thus curbing pet overpopulation 
problems in the country.
  Establishing a week recognizing pet ownership helps highlight many of 
the issues affecting pets and owners in America, as well as the issue 
of responsible treatment for animals in general. Sadly, problems such 
as animal abuse, neglect, overpopulation, hoarding, and organized 
fighting persist in this country. The people of the United States are 
indebted to the animal protection and humane organizations who promote 
respect for animals and provide care for lost, unwanted, abused, and 
abandoned animals.
  It is the essential duty of a civilized society to teach its children 
the value of kindness and respect toward all living creatures, and this 
is the perfect opportunity to do so.
  Therefore, I call on my colleagues to support the establishment of 
National Pet Week, to celebrate pet ownership, recognize those who 
provide responsible animal care, and educate our children about a 
standard of respect towards all living creatures.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Mr. Shays, upon the 
introduction of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
142, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as amended, was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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