Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House for 5 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, on June 29, 2006, the Friends of Animals Caucus held a groundbreaking event on farm animal welfare.

Members of the caucus were joined by a distinguished and diverse panel of speakers: representatives of three major animal protection organizations, a noted legal scholar, a family farmer, and representatives of the religious and environmental communities.

The way a society treats its animals speaks to the core values and priorities of its citizens.

Peter DeFazio and I recently introduced legislation, H.R. 5557, the Farm Animal Stewardship Act, which we hope will lead to more humane treatment of farm animals raised for consumption. Additionally, I am developing bills to address the issues of labeling and animal cruelty that exists in America.

Some species have become our companions, some play important roles in sensitive ecosystems, and some are raised for food. It is our duty to protect and care for all of these animals.

Matthew Scully, former special assistant and deputy director of speechwriting to President George W. Bush, was unable to attend, but he submitted his article ``Fear Factories: The Case for Compassionate Conservatism--for Animals,'' which was published in the May 23, 2005, issue of the American Conservative. He asked that it be included as a summary of his views on this subject.

Before ending my comments, let me highlight some of the views expressed by Matthew Scully because it expresses what I believe.

Mr. Scully states: `` . . . the persistent animal welfare questions of our day center on institutional cruelties on the vast and systematic mistreatment of animals that most of us never see.''

`` . . . all of factory farming proceeds by a massive denial of reality, the reality that pigs and other animals are not just production units to be endlessly exploited but living creatures with natures and needs.''

He continues: ``Conservatives are supposed to revere tradition. Factory farming has no tradition, no rules, no codes of honor, no little decencies to spare for a fellow creature.

``The whole thing is an abandonment of rural values and a betrayal of honorable animal husbandry.''

He further continues by saying: `` . . . we cannot just take from these creatures; we must give them something in return. We owe them a merciful death and we owe them a merciful life. And when human beings cannot do something humanely, without degrading both creatures and ourselves, then we should not do it at all.''

The importance of this issue is evident, as over 100 people attended the hearing to examine the issue of the humane treatment of farm animals.

The Friends of Animals Caucus will continue to work on a bipartisan basis

to help protect animals at the Federal level.