WASHINGTON (Jan. 9, 2009)—The Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF) endorsed John Burton today for California Democratic Party State Chair.

"John Burton has been a remarkably consistent champion of animal protection during all his years of public service and we strongly support him for chair of the California Democratic Party. This is the first time we have made such an endorsement," said Michael Markarian, HSLF president.

"John's record on animal protection in California is without equal. He supported every single animal protection bill during his tenure in the Legislature and led efforts to enact laws to reduce the cruelty endured by animals used in entertainment, on factory farms, in research laboratories, and in the wild," continued Markarian. "We are especially grateful to John and to the California Democratic Party for endorsing Proposition 2, the California Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, which will phase out the cruel confinement of egg-laying hens, calves raised for veal and breeding pigs. We urge all those who care about animals to support John's continued political leadership in California."

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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 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.