New Jersey bill would hand over tax dollars to animal rights group (5/12/2003)

***Sportsmen Urged to Call Legislators and Attend Hearing Thursday***

New Jersey legislation that would give tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation's largest anti-hunting group, will be heard by the state Senate on Thursday, May 15. New Jersey sportsmen are urged to attend and express opposition to the bill.

Senate Bill 1219 sponsored by Joseph Vitale (D-Woodbridge) would give $95,000 to HSUS to study ways to eliminate bear hunting in New Jersey. It sets a dangerous precedent: Animal rights groups can dictate wildlife policy and use tax dollars to pay for it.

The HSUS opposes hunting, fishing and trapping. It invests its time and money to eradicate hunting and other animal uses.

Senate Bill 1219 would also prohibit the hunting of black bears for five years and strip wildlife management authority from the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife by mandating that only the governor or the legislature can issue a permit to take a black bear.

Take Action! New Jersey sportsmen should attend the Senate Environment Committee hearing on May 15 at 10:00 AM to oppose Senate Bill 1219. Those who cannot attend should contact the members of the committee and tell them to oppose the funding of animal rights groups with taxpayers' dollars. Below are the names of the members of the Senate Environment Committee.

Co-Chair Henry McNamera (R-Wyckoff)     (201) 848-9600
Co-Chair Joseph Suliga (D-Linden)             (908) 587-0805
John Adler (D-Cherry Hill)                          (856) 428-3343
Andrew Ciesla (R-Brick)                            (732) 840-9028
Leonard Lance (R-Flemington)                   (908) 788-6900
Bob Smith (D-Piscataway)                        (732) 752-0770

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