Endorsements

Humane USA Endorses Jon Corzine for Governor of New Jersey

Group Says Corzine Has Been Leader for Animal Welfare

WASHINGTON (October 27)-Humane USA, the national political action committee (PAC) of the animal welfare movement, today announced that it has endorsed U.S. Senator Jon Corzine (D) in New Jersey's gubernatorial race. The group says that Corzine has been a leader for animal welfare, and is the right choice for New Jersey voters who care about the humane treatment of animals.

"During his time in the U.S. Senate, Jon Corzine has helped to protect pets, horses, and other animals from cruelty, and he has helped to crack down on barbaric practices such as illegal animal fighting," said Michael Markarian , chairman of Humane USA. "If we want humane laws, we need to elect humane lawmakers. Jon Corzine would bring humane principles to New Jersey 's top office."

Humane USA noted the following examples of Corzine's work to protect animals:

In a September 20 th debate, Corzine spoke in opposition to the controversial trophy hunting of black bears in New Jersey . He stated, "I'm actually not in favor of bear hunts based on the scientific information I've seen. They have bear hunts every year in New York State and haven't seemed to wean out the bear population. What we need to do is get a serious control effort, educational effort to the public to try to protect against things that attract bears to where people are." Corzine's opponent, Doug Forrester (R), has stated his support for bear hunting.

Last month, Corzine co-sponsored a successful amendment to the agriculture spending bill, passed by a vote of 69-28 in the Senate, which stops the slaughter of American horses for food exports. Americans don't eat horsemeat, but nearly 100,000 of our racehorses, family ponies, and other horses are slaughtered every year for export to France , Belgium , and other countries.

Corzine co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act in the 107 th Congress, which would strengthen the federal penalties for interstate animal fighting activities. A similar bill, supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Chicken Council, and more than 380 law enforcement agencies, passed the Senate unanimously this year.

Corzine co-sponsored the Downed Animal Protection Act in the 108 th Congress, which would prohibit the sale of "downers"-livestock who are too sick or injured to walk-and require the animals to be humanely euthanized. Downed animals are often dragged to slaughter with ropes, chains, or bulldozers, and pose a risk of mad cow disease and other threats to our food supply. A similar measure passed the Senate this year by voice vote.

In multiple years, Corzine has co-signed letters to the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee asking for increased funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to enforce the federal prohibition on interstate animal fighting, the Animal Welfare Act, and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. Increased funding has been provided in the final bills, and the USDA has been given more support to enforce animal protection laws.

In the 109 th Congress, Corzine is currently a co-sponsor of the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act, introduced by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, which would prohibit the interstate transport of exotic mammals for trophy shooting at fenced "canned hunts." He is also a co-sponsor of the Wild Horse Act, which would restore federal protections for wild horses and burros on public lands.

"Animals play an important role in the lives of many New Jersey voters," said Sherry Ramsey, New Jersey director of Humane USA. "Countless citizens look to the state government to protect animals from cruel treatment and exploitation. We hope to work with Jon Corzine as our next governor to implement and enforce humane policies for New Jersey."

Humane USA is a bipartisan PAC with the mission to elect federal and state lawmakers who care about the humane treatment of animals. Its board members include representatives from leading animal protection groups, such as The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Farm Sanctuary, The Fund for Animals, and Born Free USA.

Humane USA has also endorsed 40 candidates for New Jersey 's state Assembly who are seeking election on November 8 th . A complete list of endorsements is available at Endorsements.

Paid for by HumaneUSA, www.humaneusa.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.