REPRESENTATIVE LARSON TO RECEIVE A HUMANE LEGISATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2000

American Humane Association To Honor Larson For Support of Key Children and Animal Issues

Washington, D.C. - The American Human Association (AHA) announced today that it has awarded U.S. Representative John B. Larson (CT-01) with a Humane Legislator of the Year award. AHA said that it chose Representative Larson to receive this honor based on his support for important animal and children issues before the 106th Congress. Awardees were honored at a Capitol Hill reception on May 10.

"For 123 years, the American Humane Association has worked to protect children and animals from abuse and neglect," said Timothy M. O'Brien, AHA's President. "We're pleased that Representative Larson has joined us in this fight. By standing up and being a voice in Washington for those who often don't have one, Representative Larson is making this country a safer place for animals and children."

Larson stated, "I was pleased to lend my support to bills aimed at protecting animals and our most sacred gift, children. When Congress and the AHA work together they become a very strong shield of protection for those who cannot advocate for themselves. I highly commend the AHA for its diligent work on behalf of children and animals, and I am honored to be a recipient of this award."

In presenting its Humane Legislators of the Year awards, AHA considered the support Members of Congress have given on key issues under consideration by Congress. During the 106th Congress, Representative Larson played a key role in helping children and animals by supporting the following important legislative efforts:

• H.R. 1887, which prohibits distribution and interstate commerce of depictions of animal cruelty, mainly so-called "crush videos."
• H.R. 1275, which would close a loophole in the Animal Welfare Act that allows some interstate shipment of fighting birds, and undermines enforcement of the cockfighting ban in 47 states.
• H.R. 443, which would require humane euthanasia of farm animals too sick or injured to walk into slaughterhouses. The legislation would also prohibit the sale of such animals.
• H.R. 764, Child Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Act.
• H.R. 3455, Public Health Service Act for Children, which would authorize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) to work with the Department of Education to increase the level of available resources for localities to identify emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents.
• H.R. 3204, Safe Care Drugs Free Schools and Communities Act, which would amend the Safe Drugs and Free Schools Communication Act of 1994 to prevent the abuse and abduction of children.
• H.R. 1802, to provide states with more funding and flexibility in carrying out programs designed to help children make the transition from foster care to self-sufficiency.

Founded in 1877, AHA is the first and only national, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals from abuse, cruelty, neglect, and exploitation. AHA is a national leader in identifying and preventing the causes of child and animal abuse and neglect, and provides advocacy, training, research, technical assistance, and other services in the areas of child and animal protection.

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