From: Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
[mailto:tx26ima.pub@mail.house.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2003 10:25 AM
To: jillzu@comcast.net
Subject: Responding to your message.

August 5, 2003


Mr. Jill Zupancic`
2837 Edinburg Lane
Flower Mound, Texas 75028-1543

Dear Mr. Zupancic`,

Thank you for contacting me regarding your views on H.R. 857, The American
Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.  I appreciate hearing from you on this
important issue.

The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act would prohibit a person from
slaughtering a horse for human consumption and importing to, or exporting
from, the United States horseflesh or horses for human consumption.  The
bill would also set forth provisions regarding criminal and civil
penalties and enforcement authority of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Secretary.  The criminal penalties would include a fine and possible
imprisonment for not more than one year.

Horses in the United States are not raised for food or fiber, and as a
non-food and recreational animal, horses should be protected from
slaughter.  While residents in other countries do consume horsemeat, this
is not a common practice for Americans.  Although I am not a member of the
three committees of jurisdiction (House Ways and Means Committee, House
International Relations Committee, and House Agriculture Committee), you
may be assured that I am opposed to the human consumption of horsemeat in
the United States and will support H.R. 857 should it be debated by the
full House.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me.  I appreciate having
the opportunity to represent you in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Please feel free to visit my website (www.house.gov/burgess) or contact me
with any future concerns.
Sincerely,

Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
Member of Congress