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2009-10_Report-Animal Welfare Committee Chairman 

Submitted by Webmaster on   3/7/2011
Last Modified

Circus Fans Association of America

Report of the Animal Welfare Committee Chairman
by Gary C. Payne

2010 brought us (literally at New Years Day) to an historic moment in the campaign to preserve animals in the circus! The ten year federal lawsuit of a consortium of animal rights extremists (including the HSUS) alleging abuse of elephants by Ringling was finally tossed by the judge. No surprise - there little credibility. Whats more, there was testimony that had been bought and paid for! Shortly after the circus victory, Feld Entertainment filed a RICO (Rackateer influenced and corrupt organizations) lawsuit against the HSUS, the ASPCA, two HSUS lawyers and 10 other parties.

If you are a hunter, fisherman, farmer, rancher, fashion designer, research scientist, patient, restaurateur, or circus fan, you already realize that animal extremists operate like the mob. To see it finally in print puts us at the history making turning point this committee had hoped for. The shoe is on the other foot. Perhaps if you'd prefer that shoe to be leather, well, it's a step in preserving that choice. The lucrative business that is "Animal Rights" will not go away, but look for pink slips at the HSUS! Perhaps now an animal rights pawn standing on the curb with a sign will have to think twice about their message. Today a circus fan, the circus, and this committee are on more favorable ground.

We were able to present an impactful seminar at the CFA Las Vegas Convention and have another lined up for the Grand Rapids confab. The Grand Rapids seminar will be largely instructional on the use of our new website - GrassrootsCircusFans.org Go to www.circusfans.org and click on the link to access the site. This site is fact based. Look here for a starting point for up to date legislative information. We don't post it unless it's been verified. The site opens to a map of the United States, color coded to alert you instantly to the status of destructive legislation state by state. Information you can use to "fight back" is also present, including links to legislators. This tool is intended to simplify your role as a supporter of the circus. It makes a full report (here) of the current status of our cause unnecessary. The nature of the animal rights problem is ever changing. Anything reported here and printed weeks later is likely to be outdated when you read it. The website can be updated daily.

GrassrootsCircusFans.org was made possible following a meeting at Las Vegas, with myself, officials of the OABA, and Feld Entertainment. This partnering up has made the website possible. "Save the Circus" buttons were developed and are available to CFA Tents/Tops/individuals @ $1. each (The buttons were paid for by the National Circus Preservation Society (NCPS) . The committee attempts to organize CFA members efforts in staging grassroots efforts to show support for the circus in general and our right to enjoy performing animals in particular. We encourage fans nationwide not to strike out on their own, but to participate in the organized effort. "Do's and don'ts" are provided to any individual CFA member, Tent, or Top who is willing to listen. This is not a cookie cutter battle. Each challenge to our rights is met one on one where and when deemed a battle we can win. A good example was our recent testimony at legislative hearings in Boston, MA. Industry experts were joined by members of this committee,including myself, Atty. Gary Cooper, and Kari Johnson.

CFA members today, are less likely to take up maveric efforts that can hurt rather than help. The industry is asking that we stay on track and continue to apply our metods on a consistent and reliable basis.

Please join me in thanking Feld Entertainment, MaryLou Kelly, the OABA and the members of this committee for their hard work. Every single member of this committee has contributed something and stays in touch. We have also received a lot of research and backup from CFA members Ned Kronberg, and John Goodall. Our 2010/2011 committee is as follows:

Gary C. Payne, Chairman
Jack Beebe
Nick Giannino
Kari Johnson
David Orr
Lane Talburt
Gordon Turner
Jeanette Williams
Atty Gary Cooper
John & Mardi Wells - Ex Officio

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