Dear [my real name]:
Thank you for contacting me to express your support for H.R. 1326, The Great Ape Protection Act. As a cosponsor of this legislation, I appreciate hearing from you regarding this important issue.
Scientific knowledge reveals that great apes and humans share an exceedingly close genetic relationship. Like humans, these species are highly intelligent and social creatures whereby confining and subjecting them to invasive research their complex and psychological needs are not met. The Great Ape Protection Act would ban the use of great apes (including chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons) in invasive research across the United States.
This act would also prohibit the transport of great apes and ensure that federally owned chimpanzees be retired and moved to permanent sanctuary. You'll be pleased to know that this bill would also make permanent the National Institute of Health's breeding of great apes for research purposes. The decisions of other western countries have already begun to implement such bans, and the time has come for the United States to do the same. The bill's latest version in the 111th Congress provides civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each day such an offense occurs.
I have always been a strong advocate of legislation that protects animals. This Congress I have cosponsored several pieces of legislation pertaining to the humane and ethical treatment of animals, including the Captive Primate Safety Act and the Shark Conservation Act.
Thank you again for contacting me, and please continue to keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Howard L. Berman
Howard L. Berman
Member of Congress
H.R. 1326: Great Ape Protection Act of 2009: This bill is in the first step in the legislative process. Introduced bills and resolutions first go to committees that deliberate, investigate, and revise them before they go to general debate. The majority of bills and resolutions never make it out of committee. [Last Updated: May 15, 2009 8:35AM]
No comments:
Post a Comment