[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16085]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   THE FARM ANIMAL STEWARDSHIP ACT: HUMANE TREATMENT OF FARM ANIMALS

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House 
for 5 minutes.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from 
Connecticut is recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, on June 29, 2006, the Friends of Animals 
Caucus held a groundbreaking event on farm animal welfare.
  Members of the caucus were joined by a distinguished and diverse 
panel of speakers: representatives of three major animal protection 
organizations, a noted legal scholar, a family farmer, and 
representatives of the religious and environmental communities.
  The way a society treats its animals speaks to the core values and 
priorities of its citizens.
  Peter DeFazio and I recently introduced legislation, H.R. 5557, the 
Farm Animal Stewardship Act, which we hope will lead to more humane 
treatment of farm animals raised for consumption. Additionally, I am 
developing bills to address the issues of labeling and animal cruelty 
that exists in America.
  Some species have become our companions, some play important roles in 
sensitive ecosystems, and some are raised for food. It is our duty to 
protect and care for all of these animals.
  Matthew Scully, former special assistant and deputy director of 
speechwriting to President George W. Bush, was unable to attend, but he 
submitted his article ``Fear Factories: The Case for Compassionate 
Conservatism--for Animals,'' which was published in the May 23, 2005, 
issue of the American Conservative. He asked that it be included as a 
summary of his views on this subject.
  Before ending my comments, let me highlight some of the views 
expressed by Matthew Scully because it expresses what I believe.
  Mr. Scully states: `` . . . the persistent animal welfare questions 
of our day center on institutional cruelties on the vast and systematic 
mistreatment of animals that most of us never see.''
  `` . . . all of factory farming proceeds by a massive denial of 
reality, the reality that pigs and other animals are not just 
production units to be endlessly exploited but living creatures with 
natures and needs.''
  He continues: ``Conservatives are supposed to revere tradition. 
Factory farming has no tradition, no rules, no codes of honor, no 
little decencies to spare for a fellow creature.
  ``The whole thing is an abandonment of rural values and a betrayal of 
honorable animal husbandry.''
  He further continues by saying: `` . . . we cannot just take from 
these creatures; we must give them something in return. We owe them a 
merciful death and we owe them a merciful life. And when human beings 
cannot do something humanely, without degrading both creatures and 
ourselves, then we should not do it at all.''
  The importance of this issue is evident, as over 100 people attended 
the hearing to examine the issue of the humane treatment of farm 
animals.
  The Friends of Animals Caucus will continue to work on a bipartisan 
basis to help protect animals at the Federal level.

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