Hastings Honored For For Animal Welfare Leadership

WASHINGTON - Florida Congressman Alcee L. Hastings was honored with a Legislative Leader Award by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF) for his leadership on animal welfare legislation in 2010.

“I am humbled to receive this recognition by the Humane Society, an organization that I share a commitment with of protecting the well-being of animals and giving a voice to the voiceless,” said Hastings.

In 2010, Hastings introduced several pieces of legislation in support of animal conservation, including legislation to develop affordable and well qualified opportunities for students to become wildlife and zoo veterinarians in an effort to promote the care and conservation of wild animals; a resolution urging the Government of Canada to end their inhumane seal hunt; and a resolution urging the Conference on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to not weaken the protections for many endangered species around the world. Hastings has already reintroduced the CITES resolution in the 112th Congress. In addition to legislation Hastings introduced, he has also supported many other important pieces of pro-animal legislation. This continued support and leadership led to his receiving the Legislative Leader Award in addition to scoring 100 percent on the Humane Society’s Humane Scorecard earlier this year.

“Representative Hastings has been an important voice for enhancing animal protection in federal law,” said Wayne Pacelee, president and CEO of The HSUS. “We’re grateful to him for taking the lead and drawing attention to these vital concerns. We thank Representative Hastings for his compassion and determination to ensure that our animal welfare laws reflect our basic values and attitudes shared by people across the country.”

As a leader in animal protection, last year Hastings also was the recipient of the Florida Panther Protection Award from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida for his efforts to save the Florida Panther from extinction.

“I am a staunch believer in the need to protect animals from cruelty in all of its forms and I am also troubled that species conservation continues to be neglected,” said Hastings. “With my home state of Florida having the third highest number of endangered species in the nation, I am acutely aware of the need to protect wildlife.

“I am proud to have continually supported pro-animal and pro-conservation initiatives throughout my tenure in Congress and I remain committed to these noble causes.”
Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.