URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Your Immediate Input Needed for Appointment of United
States Secretary of Agriculture


Friends,

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has more influence on how animals in the
United States are treated than any other Department. It is important that
President Elect Obama appoint a Secretary of Agriculture that will be animal
friendly. The transition team for President Elect Obama is currently
considering nominees for that post and should be announcing that appointment
very very soon (probably next week). On the "short" list for that
appointment is former Texas Congressman Charles Stenholm. THLN strongly
objects to Mr. Stenholm for Secretary of Agriculture or any other position
of authority over animal welfare matters. Throughout his career, Stenholm
has been extremely hostile to even the most modest animal protection
reforms. For example, as a Congressman he lead the fight against banning the
slaughter of sick and crippled ("downer") cattle, and voted against funding
to enforce the federal animal fighting law. Stenholm is currently a paid
lobbyist for the agribusiness (and in particular, the horse slaughter
industry). His positions on animal fighting, horse slaughter and the
slaughter of "downer" cows are at odds with President Elect Obama's
pronouncements on these issues. We must let the Obama transition team know
of our objection to Charles Stenholm.

You can do this quickly and easily by going to the Obama website:

http://www.change.gov/page/s/yourvision
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Armaiti May, D.V.M.
Dr. May's Veterinary House Calls
Serving dogs and cats in West LA
www.drmayvethousecalls.com
Phone: (310)[masked]
Fax: (310)[masked]