Twelve Letters

from the Illinois Leader
submitted by Pat Fitzgerald
06-04-2004

Representative Charles Morrow has made Illinois politics look very foolish. "If you can eat Bo Peep, Bugs Bunny and Bambi, why can't you eat Mr. Ed?" Little Bo Peep was a little girl. Americans choose to eat rabbit and deer meat. Americans have already chosen not to eat our horses. Horses are not a part of America's food chain. I'm embarrassed for the citizens of Illinois, having this kind of representation.

Illinois Representatives should be representing the views and desires of its constituents, not representing European interests in this country. Why should a Belgium company be able to dictate US policy?

This fight to end American horse slaughter has nothing to do with what Europeans eat or don't eat. It is about European countries setting up a business here in the United States - slaughtering our horses for human consumption when the majority of Americans consider this unacceptable.

Proponents of slaughter support their stance by saying opponents are acting emotional. How about the facts we keep presenting? Out of more than 6 million horses in the US, approximately 10% die each year from all causes. Approximately 49,000 were slaughtered last year. So around 600,000 died that were not slaughtered and eaten by Europeans. America managed to take care of 600,000, we can take care of the remaining 49,000.

Illinois wants to increase jobs in DeKalb; fine. It is a slaughter facility; let Cavel slaughter cows, pigs, or chickens. They are a part of America's food chain and eating them is acceptable.

But they want to slaughter American horses because of the quality care we give our horses--our companions, thus producing prime meat. And because they make over $40 million dollars a year selling it overseas.

Another fact folks: 90% of horses slaughtered are not old, skinny, and on death's doorstep. This is factual data from the two slaughter facilities in Texas. They are young, healthy, viable animals that should not end up on European tables.

This country sells its products through celebrities. Using Ms. Derek is just good business and should not be ridiculed by Illinois representatives when each one has probably purchased something advertised by celebrities; whether it be a movie, beef, milk, leather, etc. The fact that she chose to publicly support an issue that effects her personally as a horse owner, is her right as an American and I thank her.

The facts should speak for themselves and Representatives should behave rationally when voting on a bill; not acting like spoiled little children. I really feel sorry for Rep. Morrow's constituents, since he obviously has done such a poor job representing them, if they have to eat cat food.

I applaud and thank Representative Cullerton for not giving up. At least Illinois citizens still have someone truly representing them!

Patricia Fitzgerald
Paige, Texas
reprinted with author's permission

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