WASHINGTON (Aug. 17, 2009)—Citing his strong leadership and record of support on animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF) announced today that it has endorsed Mark DeSaulnier for Congress in the special all-party primary in California’s 10th district to be held Tuesday, Sept. 1.

“Mark DeSaulnier has established himself as a leader for animal protection in the California state legislature, and voters who care about animal welfare should support his election to the U.S. Congress,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “In order to have humane laws, we need to elect humane lawmakers like Mark DeSaulnier.”

During his tenure in the California state legislature, DeSaulnier has:

• Authored and helped pass a bill to protect family pets abandoned in home foreclosures (AB 2949).
• Supported and helped pass legislation that established procedures and standards for the care of animals by pet stores (AB 1347).
• Co-authored legislation to crack down on abusive puppy mills (AB 241).
• Co-authored legislation to increase criminal penalties for animal fighting (AB 242).
• Co-authored a bill to prohibit convicted animal abusers from owning animals (AB 243).
• Co-authored a bill to ban the painful and unnecessary tail-docking of dairy cows (SB 135).
• Voted to require licensed veterinarians to be present at more rodeo events, to protect animals from potential injury (AB 1614).
• Voted to ban the sale of meat from “downed” livestock, and require immediate humane euthanasia of animals too sick or injured to walk or stand on their own (AB 2098).
• Supported Proposition 2, the California Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, to phase out the confinement of pigs, chickens and veal calves in crates and cages on factory farms.

DeSaulnier also pledged support for federal legislation to protect animals, and wrote in an HSLF candidate questionnaire: “Animals are deeply important to the human experience. The deep and undeniable bond between people and animals should be reflected in our policies.”

HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

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Media contact: Heather Sullivan: 301-548-7778, hsullivan@hslf.org

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. On the web at www.hslf.org.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 519 C Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002.