Shipping Update ~ Conference Committee H.R. 2590

  Another letter from Steve Boynton, the lawyer working for the Bird Shippers of America to try to ensure chicks can be shipped by US Mail.

Dear Folks:     On Friday, October 5th, the Conferees in the House of Representatives were appointed that will now meet with the Senate Conferees and work out the differences between the two versions of H.R. 2590 - the Appropriations Bill  on the Treasury, Postal Service and General Governmental. The objective is, of course, to keep the amendment language that is in the Senate bill [that was the language contained in S.1397].    

Now is the time to maintain contact with your Representatives and Senators. If they are not listed below, it is still important communicate to urge them to contact their political party colleague to hold firm on the Senate amendment. The key people are Representatives Istook (R)  and Hoyer (D) and Senators Campbell (R) and Dorgan (D).      

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has played an active role in opposing this amendment. Although they have contacted the entire Congress, since HSUS is  headquartered in Maryland, I suspect they have put considerable pressure on Representative Hoyer and Senator Mikulski. HSUS can be most effective and we must not let them out lobby our industry on this issue. As we have pointed out from the beginning, the language in H.R. 2590 is a first step in obtaining a permanent resolution to the problems. Consequently, we may have to seek other legislative relief - but we must ensure that we win this first battle.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON H.R. 2590

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES                  

Republicans                   Democrats        Ernest Istook  5th District OK        Steny Hoyer 5th District MD           Frank Wolf 10th District VA           Carrie Meek 17th District FL     Anne M. Northup 3rd District KY    David E. Price 4th District NC      John E. Sununu 1st District NH      Steven Rothman 9th District NJ    John E. Peterson 5th Distinct PA   Peter J. Visclosky 1st District IN

SENATE                  

Republicans                   Democrats       Ben Nighthorse Campbell CO       Bryan I. Dorgan ND               Richard C. Shelby AL              Barbara A. Mikulski MD                  Mike DeWine OH                 Mary Landrieu LA    

We can win this if we keep the grassroots in place. As a minimum, a telephone call would be in order. You can reach every office on Capitol Hill at 202-224-3121.    

Good luck.    

Stephen S. Boynton, Counsel     Bird Shippers of America     North American Gamebird Association     1015 Moorefield Hill Grove     Vienna, Virginia 22180-6249     703 281-0207 (T)     703 281-0209 (F)

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), October 07, 2001