WASHINGTON (Jan. 13, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Oregon State Senator Suzanne Bonamici, D-Washington County, for the First Congressional District special election in Oregon. Citing her effective leadership and support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges voters to support Bonamici.
“Suzanne Bonamici has demonstrated strong leadership on important bills to protect all animals, including wildlife, companion animals and farm animals,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “She has stood up for the values of kindness and compassion and we urge Oregon voters to support Suzanne Bonamici for Congress.”
Senator Bonamici has been a leading champion for animal protection while serving in the Oregon legislature, helping to enact a number of new state laws passed between 2007 and 2011 to stop animal cruelty and abuse. Among her efforts, Bonamici has:
- Led the effort to pass legislation cracking down on abusive “puppy mills” by setting animal welfare standards for dog breeders and providing protections to consumers who purchase puppies directly from breeders.
- Led the effort to protect the will of Oregon voters by preserving the successful ballot initiative banning the cruel practices of bear baiting and trophy hunting of bears and cougars with radio-collared hounds.
- Voted to ban the unregulated private ownership and possession of dangerous wild animals.
- Voted to criminalize horse abandonment.
- Voted to ban the possession, sale or transfer of shark fins, to crack down on the cruel practice of shark finning.
- Voted to ban the cruel and unsporting practice of Internet hunting.
- Voted to strengthen prohibitions on animal fighting.
- Voted to include companion animals in domestic violence protective orders.
- Voted to provide for the care of pets in disasters.
- Voted to provide cross-reporting of animal abuse among emergency and law enforcement agencies.
- Voted to phase out the use of cruel gestation crates and provide more space for breeding sows in industrial factory farms.
Media contacts: Pepper Van Tassell, (301) 258-1417, pvantassell@hslf.org
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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.
The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.
Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.
