Subscribe to this blog's feed« Daily Show Clip: "Chubby Chasers" |Main| "Bananas!" Outing Dole Food, Inc. »2010.06.28Sen. Robert Byrd: From Meat Cutter to Animal RightsIt's surprising that more people don't recognize Sen. Byrd's consistent support of animal rights. I've listened to a couple of obits today (he died early this morning) and they talk about his many votes, earmarks, belonging to the KKK when young, knowledge of the constitution, yadda... the talking heads and pseudo-journalists have missed out on what I think is one of the more fascinating aspects of this complex and unique man. I first realized his animal rights perspective when editing footage of the "Mad Cowboy Documentary." There he was, raising the issue of factory farming and how awful and cruel it is.I'm pressed for time (contract, vegetable garden, cookbook) otherwise I'd dig up and post that footage, but here's a nice summary of his efforts from PETA naming him "Person of the Year" way back in 2007:
"Senator Who Was Once a Meat Cutter Praised for Giving Animals a Voice:""Washington: For his passionate defense of animals throughout six decades of public service, Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) has today been named PETA's Person of the Year. The senior senator, who was a meat cutter in his youth, has evolved into a tireless advocate for improving legal protection for animals, including animals who are slaughtered for food. The following are a few of Byrd's many efforts in behalf of animals:* When the Michael Vick scandal broke, Byrd made a stirring 24-minute speech on the Senate floor condemning dogfighting as "barbaric."* In a hearing to determine how to prevent a reoccurrence of 2007's massive pet-food recall that may have killed hundreds of cats and dogs, Byrd said, "Our pets are our companions, our soul mates, and our hedge against emotional turmoil." * In 2005, Byrd coauthored the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, which prohibits the transport, purchase, and sale of horses for human consumption. The bill was publicly supported by PETA ally and singer Willie Nelson. Byrd also introduced a bill that would prohibit the commercial sale and slaughter of wild horses and burros.* In 2002, Byrd led an effort to convince the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide $5 million--a record amount--for improving enforcement of the Humane Slaughter Act. * In 2001, Byrd gave a moving oration in defense of a bill addressing cruelty to farmed animals, saying, "Our inhumane treatment of livestock is becoming widespread and more and more barbaric. Six-hundred-pound hogs--they were pigs at one time--raised in 2-foot-wide metal cages called gestation crates, in which the poor beasts are unable to turn around or lie down in natural positions, and this way they live for months at a time. ... These creatures feel; they know pain. They suffer pain just as we humans suffer pain.""Sen. Byrd is never shy about making his strong belief in the importance of animal protection heard," says PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk. "Much animal suffering has been alleviated thanks to Sen. Byrd, and this year we are proud to honor him for giving a voice to the voiceless."Rest in peace, Senator. You had one helluva run and you were, at the end, the epitomy of "Amazing Grace."
2010.06.28 at 11:30 in Activism, Animal Issues, Factory Farming, Politics | PermalinkTechnorati Tags:animal rights, dogfighting, factory farming, horse slaughter, PETA, Senator Robert ByrdTrackBack
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Comments
Thanks for bringing this up. I didn't know this about him.
Posted by:Erika @ Health and Happiness in LA |2010.07.02 at 00:16 Verify your Comment Previewing your CommentPosted by: |This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
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