[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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