South Carolina General Assembly Officially Opposes HR1518 and S1406

On March 10th, 2014, the South Carolina General Assembly in Columbia, South Carolina passed a concurrent resolution to support the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry.  In this resolution they expressed unanimous opposition to US House bill HR1518 and US Senate bill S1406.  They also expressed support for industry legislation introduced by Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn(HR4098).   

The resolution was sponsored by the four horsemen of the South Carolina general assembly Representative Alan Clemmons (R- Horry), Representative Chip Limehouse (R- Charleston), Representative Edward Southard (R-Berkley) and Representative Bill Hixon (R- Aiken).

Representative Alan Clemmons, who lead the charge for this resolution made the following statement, "Those who understand modern horse training techniques understand that the current push by the USDA to outlaw Tennessee Walking Horse training techniques is nothing less than one step closer to achieving their agenda of outlawing all horse training. That is why the South Carolina House, without objection, passed this resolution to Congress encouraging them to defeat the bills currently being considered."
This resolution will be sent to each member of the Congressional delegation from South Carolina to let them know that the representatives of the people of South Carolina do not support these bills and  they ask them to neither sponsor or support HR1518 or S1406.  
On behalf of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry and the South Carolina Walking Horse Association, we say thank you to these brave horsemen for standing up for what is right.  Below you can read the full text of the bill or follow the link to read the official version. 

South Carolina General Assembly
120th Session, 2013-2014

H. 4833

STATUS INFORMATION
Concurrent Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Clemmons, Limehouse, Southard and Hixon
Introduced in the House on March 4, 2014

COMMITTEE REPORT
March 6, 2014
H. 4833
Introduced by Reps. Clemmons, Limehouse, Southard and Hixon S. Printed 3/6/14--H.    [SEC 3/7/14 2:20 PM]
Read the first time March 4, 2014.      

THE COMMITTEE ON
INVITATIONS AND MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 4833) to memorialize the Congress of the United States to defeat H.R. 1518 and S. 1406 which would enact excessive guidelines relating to the practice of soring, etc., respectfully

REPORT: That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
LISTON D. BARFIELD for Committee.      

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO MEMORIALIZE THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO DEFEAT H.R. 1518 AND S. 1406 WHICH WOULD ENACT EXCESSIVE GUIDELINES RELATING TO THE PRACTICE OF SORING THE TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE, AND ADOPT ALTERNATIVE LEGISLATION PROPOSED BY THE TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE INDUSTRY THAT ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE AND PROTECTS THE INDUSTRY.

Whereas, both H.R. 1518 and S. 1406 are pending before their respective bodies of the United State Congress; and

Whereas, both bills seek to eliminate the practice of soring the Tennessee Walking Horse by eliminating the practice of fitting these horses with weighted shoes and action devices; and

Whereas, while the purpose of both bills appears to be valid, in practice neither bill solves the problem of soring the Tennessee Walking Horse for numerous reasons which include: the information and photographs used to support both bills were compiled twenty years ago, before the industry began to reform itself, and are not supported by science or research; the current legal performance shoe and action device do not cause harm to a horse; and the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported on November 3, 2013, a 96.7% compliance rate with their current regulations; and

Whereas, the USDA has never prosecuted an alleged violator for a pressure soring violation; and
Whereas, other breeds of horses, which include the American Saddlebred, Friesian, Hackney, and Dressage, use the same performance shoes and action devices as the Tennessee Walking Horse. However, both bills do not affect the use of similar shoes and action devices on these breeds of horses; and
Whereas, passage of H.R. 1518 and S. 1406 would eliminate 85% of the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry--15,000 show horses valued at 1.3 billion dollars, 20,309 jobs in Tennessee alone, and a negative 3.2 billion dollar impact nationwide; and

Whereas, the Walking Horse Industry has proposed alternative legislation that would punish those who harm horses without eliminating a total division of an equine breed or increase the tax burden on hard-working Americans; and

Whereas, the Walking Horse Industry proposed and supported legislation would establish a single, independent horse industry organization to manage the inspection and penalty process for the entire industry. This organization would establish objective inspection standards, impose strict penalties for any violations, and put the financial burden for compliance with these standards on the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry which avoids needless intervention by the federal government.

 Now, therefore,Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, respectfully memorialize the United States Congress to defeat H.R. 1518 and S. 1406 which would enact excessive guidelines relating to the practice of soring the Tennessee Walking Horse and adopt alternative legislation proposed by the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry that addresses this issue and protects the industry.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.


Official version of this document can be found at the following website:

http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess120_2013-2014/bills/4833.htm

Save The Tennessee Walking Horse

To save the Walking Horse Industry from the devastating effects of HR1518 and S1406 please help by taking action.  Your help is needed on behalf of the performance Tennessee Walking Horse and this will only take 10-20 minutes of your time.  All members of the US Congress and US Senators need to hear, right now, that they cannot ignore the walking horse family.  We must stand united and strong to stop this discriminatory bullying and hate attacks by the extremist radicals, Federal Government and HSUS.   Your voice could be the tipping point.

Will you join us and take just a few minutes to call and leave a message or speak with the federal legislators for your state? You will want to call/ email and talk with all of your state’s US Congressmen and US Senators in Washington DC. To obtain contact information for your specific legislators, simply go to this website:

http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

Who Should You Speak With:

When you call the office, ask to speak directly to the elected official.  If they are not available ask to speak with their chief of staff.  If the chief of staff is not available ask to speak with the legislative director.  If you are sent to voice mail, do not hang up.  Start by leaving your name, address, phone number then tell them you would like to speak with them about HR1518 and S1406.  Tell them you will expect a return call.  If you do not hear back within a hour, call them back until they speak with you.   Speak to anyone you can get on the phone…the more people you educate the better!

Points To Cover With Congressmen and Senators:

My name is______________________________.  I am from ___________________________ and I am calling regarding HR1518 and S1406.

1- If HR1518 and S1406 (PAST ACT) becomes Law, it will close down the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry

Please recognize that sponsorship and passage of the PAST Act (HR1518 and S1406), an amendment to the Horse Protection Act, will effectively close down the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry.  While the Tennessee Walking horse is so versatile that it can be shown in eight divisions based on how he is shod, if the HSUS/ Whitfield bill becomes law, 7 of those 8 divisions will become illegal. The one remaining division that would be left makes up only 10% of the under saddle classes at a typical Tennessee Walking Horse Show including the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. 

2- The Tennessee Walking Horse Industry has a 98% compliance rate with the Horse Protection Act.

Actual figures from government trained and supervised industry inspectors (which have been accepted and published on the USDA website) indicate that less than 2% of the entries are found to be suspected of being in violation.

3- Connie Harriman, HSUS employee, wife of Rep. Ed Whitfield has her husband doing the bidding for HSUS.

This is personal and this representative is simply taking up a cause to help his wife at work. Harriman and Whitfield, along with their radical supporters, are proposing such radical legislation that it will eliminate the Tennessee Walking Horse as a show breed.  Almost the entire show breed will be gone and this will devastate the Tennessee Walking Horse industry to the extent that it many never recover.  The HSUS/ Whitfield legislation would eliminate over 85% of all show classes.

4-If implemented HR1518 and S1406 (PAST ACT) will have devastating economic impact on the US Economy. 

Hr1518 and S1406 will impact more than 20,000 jobs.  It will have a negative economic impact of $3.2 billion.  It will also cause a $1.3 billion loss in horse values. This amendment will have a severe economic impact, not just on this industry, but also on many individual investors, communities and charities which are the beneficiaries of profits created by this industry through shows, exhibitions and events. These bills will put successful agricultural related businesses out of business.  By eliminating 85% of the horses showing JOBS WILL BE LOST in not only direct equine related business, but in those secondary businesses which also depend on equine agriculture. This means more people in unemployment lines. Entertainment dollars will cease flowing into communities from shows causing restaurants, motels, gas stations, dry cleaners etc to feel the hit.    One Middle Tennessee community sees $40 million alone in revenue directly from one horse show.    $2,563,195.00 flowed from horse shows in 10 states into charities over the last 3 years. This charitable giving will also cease if the PAST ACT becomes law.   The passing of this act will cause many to lose their homes, farms and businesses and will add to the already significant number of people on government assistance. 

5-Yes, the Tennessee Walking Horse does perform a unique gait. 

However, it is important to note that by its unique breeding and DNA  the Tennessee Walking Horse is born to perform a unique gate.  DMRT3 (a gene/ enzyme which is found in the Tennessee Walking Horse that is not found in trotting breeds) plus generations of selective breeding is why the Tennessee Walking Horse has the ability to do its unique and exciting gate.  Our day old foals do the exact same unique gate as our performance horses.

6-According to the Auburn Scientific study on the Tennessee Walking Horse, the performance shoes do not physically harm the horse in anyway.

The information which was provided by the HSUS/ Whitfield group on this matter has not been accurate, nor true.  The performance shoes do not cause harm to the horse nor does it hurt the horse’s feet in anyway.  In the most comprehensive scientific study performed regarding the Tennessee walking horse (done at Auburn University) scientist concluded that the performance shoe does not harm the horse in anyway.  The HSUS/ Whitfield opponents have never attempted to refute this study with facts.   

7- Performance Shoes are used by many other breeds of horses.  

It is important to note that performance shoes, bands and action devises are used by breeds other than the Tennessee Walking Horse.  Horses like the American Saddle Bred, Hackney, dressage, Friesian, and Racking horses all perform a unique gate and use performance shoes, action devises and use bands.  Each of these breeds also use shoes similar to those worn by the Tennessee Walking Horse.  To put the performance shoes into perspective, if you look at the comparison between a running shoe used by humans and the performance shoes used by the Tennessee Walking Horse you will not only find similarities but on a comparative basis the performance shoes used on the horse today is lighter than what we as humans use when we run.  Both have or allow for additional cushion and both are elevated from the heel to the toe to provide better support and improvement on the ability to rock or move forward.

8- HR 1518 and S1406 is stepping into an area of states’ rights.

HR1518 and S1406 attempts to solve a state problem with a federal legislation.   As you know, the horse protection act is a federal Commerce Bill and HR1518 (PAST) amends that bill.  The horse protection act applies to the protection of horses at horse shows.  State laws cover the protection of horses at private barns.  Animal cruelty is a state issue and for the federal government to step into this area is a slippery slope. The video that HSUS and Whitfield have been playing and using has nothing to do with the horse protection act.  Passage of HR 1518 (PAST) has absolutely no affect on private barns and has no jurisdiction over actions taking place within them.  This is a state matter.   Make no mistake about this, the next steps for HSUS is to use the Whitfield amendment to get its foot in the door to the entire equine world.  Their goal is to make the horse, like they are trying to with other farm animals, a “companion” animal and a lawn ornament.  If successful with this who knows how many other horse breeds they will devastate over the next 5 years.

9- You don’t throw out a whole bag of apples because one is bad.

Please understand, I do not endorse, approve or condone the abusing or harming of any horse.  I am sickened by what some sick individuals have personally done to their horses and horses under their care.  When athletes break the law, use drugs, 1000’s of horses die on the race tracks or a driver cheats in a NASCAR race it is an embarrassment to their industry.   And yes, like many other industries, some bad apples have been an embarrassment to our industry as well.  However, no politician has ever stepped out and suggested that horse racing, NASCAR, Bike Racing, National Football League or National Basketball Association, National League Baseball industries be closed down and eliminated because of these types of offensive and illegal behaviors by some renegades.  Instead, these industries have implemented additional over site and scrutiny to prevent further problems. I believe the Tennessee Walking Horse industry has been doing this as our industry and horses are put through one of the most strenuous pre and post show inspections of any horse breed and are 98% in compliance.

10- I ask you, as my elected representative in Washington, to join Representative Marsha Blackburn and many others to vote in opposition to this amendment.

11-Thank You for taking time to listen to me and for taking action to oppose HR1518 and S1406. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call back at ___________________________.

Stop De Facto Amnisty with Immigration Reform: Senate Bill 744 Secures Border

US Senate Bill 744 is a Bipartisan Immigration Reform Bill which increases our border infrastructure and security. S.744 protects America by providing a guest worker program that manages the temporary entrance of any foreign worker into the country to assure our economy has the workers we need through background checks, traceability and other standards. This legislation contains the toughest border immigration enforcement measures in US history.

Under S.744, six security triggers are required before newly legalized people are allowed green card applications. Triggers include a border security plan, border fence plan, border security metrics, a Border Commission whose responsibility is 100 percent border awareness and at least 90% apprehension rates in high-risk sectors of the US-Mexican border.  It requires implementation of universal employment verification and an exit system to stop visa overstays.

Senate Bill 744 is not amnesty. In fact, S.744 eliminates today’s de facto amnesty. There are 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US about whom we know nothing. Once the first security triggers are achieved, undocumented immigrants must submit to and pass background checks, be fingerprinted, pay fines and taxes, prove employment, prove they have had a physical presence in the US since before 2012 and go to the back of the line for citizenship.  Criminals and those who don’t meet the criteria will be deported. Under S.744 undocumented immigrants will not be eligible for federal benefits and legalization is not immediate, or irrevocable. If they commit a serious crime, fail to comply with employment requirements, pay tax obligations or comply with physical presence obligations status is revoked.

Our country needs Senate Bill 744. To research the facts on S.744, this website has accurate information: http://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/get-the-facts1. Please join me in calling on Representative Tom Rice, Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Tim Scott to support S.744.