Aug26
Farewell, Ted Kennedy
Posted at 02:55 PM | Permalink
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In his more than four decades in the Senate, Kennedy proved to be a strong voice for the protection of animals. Animal-friendly legislation championed by Sen. Kennedy included bills to curtail the overuse of antibiotics on farmed animals, end commercial whaling and the illegal trade in whale meat, prevent the slaughter of horses in North America, validate non-animal methods for testing products and chemicals, and raise the penalty for forcing dogs, roosters, and other animals to fight to the death from a misdemeanor to a felony.
In recent years, Sen. Kennedy's own dogs, Splash and Sunny, were constant presences to Capitol Hill, and Kennedy authored a children's book from Splash's viewpoint called My Senator and Me: A Dog's-Eye View of Washington, D.C. In the wake of evacuations following Hurricane Katrina, during which people were often forced to leave beloved companions behind, Sen. Kennedy co-sponsored the PETS Act, calling for disaster plans to include animals. "I wouldn't leave the house without Sunny and Splash," he said. "It's no surprise that so many people in New Orleans flat-out refused to be rescued if they couldn't take their pets with them."
As a tribute to this extraordinary man, let us keep his love of animals alive and carry on his legacy of helping them by practicing kindness and compassion toward all animals every day. For more information and ideas, please visit HelpingAnimals.com.
Posted by Shawna Flavell
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Comments
Rest in peace Mr. Kennedy.
Posted by: Aneliese | August 26, 2009 03:19 PM
i didn't know he was a friend to the animals. I felt very sad to hear about his death, though. I suspected he might be an animal lover as well as a humanitarian. Rest In Peace, Teddy.
Posted by: ela | August 26, 2009 03:47 PM
While I am a conservative for the most part, I do admire Senator Kennedy for his position on animals. I definitely think this issue should be his legacy.
Posted by: Jodi | August 26, 2009 04:00 PM
RIP Ted Kennedy! I'm watching tribute coverage on FOX News Channel right now.
Posted by: Curtis | August 26, 2009 07:34 PM
The sole ethical vegan in Congress is Dennis Kucinich. He's the only congressional member who walks the talk.
Posted by: Brien Comerford | August 26, 2009 08:19 PM
I have to agree with Brien, only DK walks the walk. I am a conservative and there are many things I disagree with TK. Although TK had a hand in some bills for animals he didn't go far enough imo because he is NOT a vegan like DK. What about vegan options for schoolkids in MA??
More humane education in MA?
Brien C's comment says it all for me.
Posted by: AAG | August 27, 2009 02:01 PM
I have never been crazy about Ted Kennedy's politics but finding out about his stance on *some* animal issues does cause him to rise in my esteem.
Posted by: Chris | August 27, 2009 05:51 PM
Mary Jo Kopeckne can finally rest in peace.
Posted by: Rev. Meg Schramm | August 28, 2009 11:01 AM
Goodbye Teddy. Thankyou for
your support on the cruelty
inflicted on apes in the testing labs.
Miss you
Betty
Posted by: Betty Mack | August 28, 2009 04:13 PM
Come on guys. I agree Kucinich is the man, but the animals need all the help they can get in Washington and everywhere. The Obama dog was a disappointment, obviously, but Ted Kennedy deserves to be respected for being proactive in making changes for all who suffer when most politicians can't be bothered to think about animals at all.
Posted by: Elphaba | September 1, 2009 10:42 PM