HR669 Update from Cheryl Robinson at NIPS

Thanks to everyone for phoning, faxing and sending letters to your representatives and the HR669 subcommittee. The hearing took place today around 9:00 a.m. central time.  I was fortunate enough to be able to watch the proceedings live. For those who could not, you can still watch the entire hearing using this link. I highly recommend doing so. This is our legislative process in work and we need to be aware of how it works.

 http://resources.edgeboss.net/wmedia/resources/2009_04_23_insular.wvx

 A written synopsis of the hearing can be found using this link.

www.pethobbyist.com/sitenews/index.php?/archives/333-Liveblogging-Congressional-hearing-on-H.-R.-669.html#extended

Testimony was given by the experts and the committee members asked questions. The US Fish and Wildlife was not opposed to the bill. The concerns from the pet industry were perhaps not taken as seriously as they could have been, so the threat remains real. Mr. Meyers from PIJAC made some excellent points in our defense. The committee will reconvene in 10 days to continue the discussion and make possible revisions to the bill.

The general consensus was that the bill is viable and should just be reworked and revised to address some of the concerns better. However, this is NOT a bill we want even with revisions. It is not in our pets’ best interest. Our voices still need to be heard. Please continue to phone, fax and email your representatives and express your grave concerns with this bill.

Sheryl Robinson

President
Northern Illinois Parrot Society
president@nipsparrot.org

Visit www.nipsparrot.org for more information