[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 122 (Thursday, July 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ``PREVENTION OF EQUINE CRUELTY ACT OF 2008''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2008

  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to introduce the 
``Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008,'' along with 
Representatives Burton, Rahall, Walter Jones, Moran, Chabot, Grijalva, 
Bobby Scott, Christopher Smith, Schakowsky, Wasserman Schultz, Nadler 
and Sutton. This bill criminalizes the possession, sale and transport 
of horses in interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of 
slaughter for human consumption. I thank the bipartisan coalition of 
Representatives who have joined me in introducing this important 
legislation.
  Horses have played an important role in the development of our 
country. They still fill the role of workhorses, racehorses, rodeo 
horses and pets. Unlike cattle and other livestock, horses in this 
country have never been raised as a human food source.
  The United States does not have a single plant where horses are 
slaughtered for human consumption, but such slaughterhouses operate 
across our borders in Mexico and Canada. Horses are bought at auctions 
within the United States and then transported to these foreign 
slaughterhouses for hours in packed and hot trailers without water, 
food or rest. The slaughter process that awaits these horses in many of 
the foreign plants is cruel and barbaric, and exists beyond the reach 
of United States law.
  The only way to prevent horses from suffering this fate is to stop 
the sale and transport of horses to these foreign slaughterhouses 
before they leave the United States. This bill will do that.
  Again, I thank the bipartisan coalition of Representatives who have 
joined me in introducing this important legislation.

                          ____________________