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Sara Amundson, Executive Director of the HSLF and Nancy Perry, Vice President of Government Affairs for The HSUS present the Representative of the Year award to Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.). © The HSUS |
On March 25, 2009, The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund held a special reception in the U.S. Capitol to honor members of Congress who were leaders on animal protection legislation in 2008 and received perfect scores of 100 percent on the annual Humane Scorecard. The Humane Scorecard is an annual HSLF rated list of lawmakers' contributions toward protecting animals.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers joined us for the reception, and dozens of congressional staff members stopped by to spend time with HSUS and HSLF staff. There were even a couple congressional dogs in attendance, as Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) brought his dog Kaylee, and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) brought Maya. View slideshow of photos from the event.
Legislators of the Year
Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) was recognized as 2008 Humane Senator of the Year for his work to ensure the safety of pet food, ban the imports of dogs from foreign puppy mills, and toughen the regulations for puppy mills in the U.S., while House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) was named 2008 Humane Representative of the Year, for his work to strengthen the federal laws against animal fighting, track animal cruelty crimes, and ban the export of horses for slaughter.
"We commend Senator Durbin and Representative Conyers for raising their extraordinarily effective voices for animal protection policies in the U.S. Congress," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "They have been in the forefront on so many of the most pressing threats facing the health and well-being of animals, and we are enormously grateful for their compassion and tenacity."
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Representative Calvert (R-Calif.) accepts his Legislative Leader award with his dog, Kaylee, from Wayne Pacelle and Michael Markarian. © The HSUS |
Leaders on the Hill
A total of 148 legislators—more than one-third of the Senate and one-quarter of the House (representing 42 states and two U. S. territories)—received awards. The organizations honored 30 legislators with the Humane Champion award for their leadership on an animal welfare issue and for receiving a perfect score on the Humane Scorecard, 81 lawmakers with the Legislative Leader award for acting as a prime sponsor of pro-animal legislation, and 35 lawmakers with the Humane Advocate award for scoring 100 percent on the Humane Scorecard.
We appreciate the dedicated and compassionate lawmakers who represent the best of the human spirit and are making a meaningful difference in the lives of animals. Find out if your federal legislators were leaders on animal protection issues in 2008.
