WASHINGTON (Oct. 28, 2008)—Citing him as a leader on animal protection policies in the U.S. Senate, the Humane Society Legislative Fund announced today that it has endorsed U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) for reelection.

"Senator Coleman has consistently fought for common-sense animal welfare policies to halt cruelty and abuse," said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund.

"In order to pass humane laws, we need humane lawmakers like Senator Coleman. Minnesota voters who care about animal welfare should support his reelection."

The animal protection issues that Sen. Coleman has supported include the following:

• In the current session of Congress, he is a lead author, with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), of the Truth in Fur Labeling Act, S. 3610, which would protect animals and consumers by requiring accurate and consistent labeling of all fur-trimmed apparel. A recent undercover investigation revealed that major department stores and fashion designers sold fur-trimmed jackets advertised as "fake fur," which actually contained fur from dogs skinned alive in China.
• He voted in favor of legislation to stop the slaughter of American horses for human consumption overseas. Tens of thousands of American horses endure long-distance transport to Canada and Mexico and are butchered for food exports to European and Asian countries where horse meat is considered a delicacy.
• He has consistently co-sponsored legislation to upgrade the federal law used to combat illegal dogfighting and cockfighting, including the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act which was enacted in 2007 and established felony-level penalties for interstate and foreign commerce in fighting animals and paraphernalia.
• As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, he advocated for the inclusion of several animal welfare provisions in the final Farm Bill that was enacted in 2008. The Farm Bill upgraded the federal animal fighting law to provide additional jail time and ban the possession of fighting animals, barred the import of young puppies from foreign puppy mills, and increased the penalties for violations of the Animal Welfare Act at research laboratories and other federally licensed facilities.
• He has consistently signed letters and lent his support to efforts to increase funding for the adequate enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, and other federal animal protection laws.

HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based on their positions on animal welfare policies. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue. Other Minnesota candidates endorsed by HSLF include U.S. Reps. Tim Walz (D-1st), Betty McCollum (D-4th), Keith Ellison (D-5th), Collin Peterson (D-7th), and James Oberstar (D-8th), as well as challenger Elwyn Tinklenberg (D-6th).

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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.