| In 1971, the
President and Congress received so many letters from young people, who
were concerned about wild horses, that they passed a bill called The
Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act. This law was supposed to protect
our wild horses and keep them safe and free on our public lands. Recently,
Congress changed that law and our wild horses are no longer protected.
More than 8000 wild horses are in danger of being slaughtered because
of this change in law. But there is good news! There are bills in Congress
that will prohibit the slaughter of any horse, wild or domestic. The American
Horse Slaughter Prevention Act prohibits the slaughter of horses in the
United States. This bill is referred to as HR 503 in
the House of Representatives and S 311 in the Senate.
There is also a bill that recently passed in the House that prohibits
the sale or slaughter of wild horses. This bill is HR 249
and it passed by a vote of 277-137! Now we need our Senators to pass the
same bill. Since it has yet been introduced in the Senate there is no
bill number. But you can still write to your Senators and ask them to
support the “Senate version” of HR 249.
Please write your Representatives and Senators, and ask them to support
these bills. Young people can make a difference! Remember Wild Horse Annie
and the children that helped pass The Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro
Act of 1971. You can do it! Now it’s your turn to speak.
You can write to your representatives in Congress by addressing them as
follows:
Write to you Senators:
The Honorable ____________
United States Senate
Washington, D.C 20510.
Write to you Representative:
The Honorable____________
United State House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Below is a sample letter:
Dear Senator/Representative _____________,
I am writing to let you know that I care about America’s wild horses
and want to see them remain free in their rightful home, our vast public
lands. As a kid, I am constantly reminded by adults of the importance
of being responsible and I think that rounding up wild horses and allowing
them to be slaughtered is not a responsible solution. Please support HR
503 in the House, and S 311 in the Senate.
The House has set a good example by passing a bill to prohibit the sale
or slaughter of our wild horses. HR 249 passed on April 26th by a vote
of 277-137. If you are in the Senate, please support a Senate version
of this bill.
In 1971 American kids spoke out and the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro
Act was passed. Now my generation is speaking out on behalf of our wild
horses, to remind Congress that kids still care about wild horses and
want to see them protected. Please write to me to let me know where you
stand on this issue.
Thank You,
Note: Be sure to sign your name, and include your address so
that they can write back to you!
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