Robert Byrd was a United States Senator for 51 years. No one can be in the Senate for that long and leave an uncomplicated legacy. However, at least 2 things are very clear. One, Byrd was one of the most gifted orators this country has ever known. Two, he cared deeply about animals and loathed animal cruelty.
His 2001 speech on the Senate floor, which I reproduce here with a hat tip to the Animal Welfare Institute, says much, leaves much unsaid, and speaks to all who are capable of listening. Those of us who work in animal advocacy may have very different methods and views but we all abhor cruelty. Senator Byrd’s eloquent voice offers a lesson to us all and his common decency will be sorely missed.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE
July 9, 2001
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, a few months ago, a lady by the name of Sara McBurnett accidentally tapped a sports utility vehicle from behind on a busy highway in California. The angry owner of the bumped vehicle, Mr. Andrew Burnett, stormed back to Ms. McBurnett’s car and began yelling at her; and then reached through her open car window with both hands, grabbed her little white dog and hurled it onto the busy roadway. The lady sat helplessly watching in horror as her frightened little pet ran for its life, dodging speeding traffic to no avail. The traffic was too heavy and the traffic was too swift. Continue reading
Filed under: animal advocacy, animal ethics, animal law, animal welfare | Tagged: animal abuse, animal advocacy, animal cruelty, animal ethics, animal law, animal suffering, animal welfare, Animal Welfare Institute, animals, dogs, factory farms, farmed animals, industrial farming, pets, Robert Byrd, U.S. Senate | 2 Comments »
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