From: tassaddar1870
To: againstslaughter@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2004 12:14 AM
Subject: [againstslaughter] URGENT!!! New task assigned regarding SB 1921

Hi to all,

We have a VERY URGENT AND SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT FOR YOU. We only have 9 days to accomplish a massive mailing campaign to IL Legislators and we need all help available, specially in the center and the South of Illinois, where we have to put more pressure. Our plan is as follows:

1. Every one of you MUST CONTACT ALL IL LEGISLATORS (both Reps. and Senators) by mail, fax, email and phone. Please, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO USE ALL OF THESE WAYS TO CONTACT THEM.

2. We also need to get the word out desperately. We have planned to send a new press release about SB 1921 to EVERY IL NEWS MEDIA BY MAIL AND FAX. The reason to use only US mail and fax to send them is because emails are often not considered, so the only way we have for more chances to get them published is by sending them by either mail or fax. Special pressure must be put on the media from Southern and Central Illinois. Anyone who wants to help on this (especially those who have a fax machines), please send me a private message to fletosoi@tiscali.es for further instructions. Below is the press release we are planning to send. Thanks for your help and collaboration!!!

Daniel

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Ban on the slaughter of horses in Illinois will be called for a vote in the upcoming General Assembly´s Regular Session

Contacts: Gail Vacca, 815-761-4937; Janice Ely 708-638-6186

Illinois Senate Bill 1921 and its House Amendment #1, the controversial legislation introduced in last November's veto session by Rep. Robert S. Molaro (D-Chicago) that makes it illegal to transport and slaughter horses in the state of Illinois for human consumption elsewhere, will be called for a vote in the upcoming regular session, starting January 14.

The bill, if it passes, will prevent Belgian-owned Cavel International, which is rebuilding its horse slaughterhouse in DeKalb, from operating. SB 1921, having passed through the House Executive Committee, was due to be voted on by the full House in the veto session, until the sudden death of State Rep. David Wirsing (R-Sycamore) postponed that plan.

Cavel intends to ship the meat from the DeKalb plant to European countries such as France, Italy and Belgium, where it is culturally acceptable for humans to eat horse flesh, there considered a delicacy. When it was learned last summer that Cavel was planning to rebuild, Rep. Robert Molaro decided to introduce his legislation. It is already illegal to eat horsemeat in Illinois, according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture code.

Currently there are only two operating horse slaughterhouses in the U.S., both in Texas and both subject to a pending federal judge's ruling as to whether they should be shut down by the State of Texas. If the DeKalb plant is allowed to open, Illinois would become the
horse slaughtering center of the country.