Attention Adam, Brian, everyone fighting HR669

Just a few thoughts that came to me:

1) - A group I'm not sure if anyone is targeting... commonly farmed animals such as alpacas and emu's are not on the "exceptions" list. Does anyone want to figure out how to reach out to those communities to get the word out to them? I know many people make or supplement their living by raising these animals.

2) - Overall, it seems that the most important people we should be targeting is the Representatives on the subcommittee. Where is the list of exactly which Representatives they are? I know I saw it once, but just now I was looking and could only find membership of the Natural Resources committee, but not the subcommittee of Oceans and Wildlife. I think we should also be making an extra effort to get the word out to the people who live in their districts. For example, I live in Virginia, but I could make phone calls or send faxes to pet stores in a particular district in Colorado, which would hopefully result those pet stores getting the info out to their customers, which would hopefully result in phone calls, emails, etc to those Representatives that matter most. Craigslist postings in cities in those districts would be easy to do also.

I have set aside the entire day tomorrow to do what I can to get the word out, and I want to be sure I'm spending my time where it will be most effective.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=89057

There's a link there within that thread, first post.

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Originally Posted by kc261

1) - A group I'm not sure if anyone is targeting... commonly farmed animals such as alpacas and emu's are not on the "exceptions" list. Does anyone want to figure out how to reach out to those communities to get the word out to them? I know many people make or supplement their living by raising these animals.

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I was wondering about this too. I know that the herp community is getting involved, but what about all the other communities targeted by the bill? For example, the large communities of bird, small mammal (ferret, guinea pig, hamster, etc.), and fish keepers, as well as alpaca/emu keepers as you mentioned?

A google search shows a few bird groups are a bit irate. My seahorse group doesn't seem concerned at all really.
I think the idea for alpaca, emu, llama.. etc.. that's a GREAT idea! There should be a online group for the Alpaca club of america or some such!
Great idea!! You rock!

We live in Colorado, My representative, Doug Lamborn has received several calls from me. Having been assured by communications sent out by USARK that the Republican representatives are on our side, I switched my focus to the Denver, Colorado market. I contacted several bird and fish shops and they weren't even aware of this. I forwarded as much information to them as I could and they are working within their communities to help in the fight.

I started another thread earlier today letting people know what I am doing here in Colorado. Scales 'N Tails is located in Denver and they are
making copies of the letter that is being signed in their Colorado Springs location and having their Denver customers sign them as well.
I also contacted Chad Brown, owner of Pro Exotics, which is also in Denver and he has a meeting scheduled with Congresswoman Diana L. DeGette next week.

Thank you for your suggestions, with out of the box thinking, we all can make a difference.

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Originally Posted by kc261

I think we should also be making an extra effort to get the word out to the people who live in their districts. For example, I live in Virginia, but I could make phone calls or send faxes to pet stores in a particular district in Colorado, which would hopefully result those pet stores getting the info out to their customers, which would hopefully result in phone calls, emails, etc to those Representatives that matter most.

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NO ON HR669
Michelle

I do know that the http://www.nohr669.com efforts ARE targeting bird, fish, reptile, etc communities and forums. If you notice, the website is not set up as a reptile driven site.

I don't know if the alpaca and emu groups have been targeted, however. Very good point!

Great point, I will add non-exempted farmed animal organizations to my list of people to contact tomorrow!

Here is a list of the subcommittee members ...

http://www.pijac.org/files/public/US_Nat_Res_Sub.pdf

The problem though is that Congressmen/women are only interested in speaking with people that are from the district that they represent. For example, living in Maryland, a Congressperson in Arizona really doesn't care what I have to say when compared to the voice of his own constituents. This makes sense because that is how Congress works. Officials are elected to represent districts of Americans and speak for them in Washington. So if none the Representatives on the subcommittee are from your district, you'll be lucky if they give you more than 30 seconds.

I'm not saying not to contact the subcommittee members by any means ... do it! Use USARKs lobbyist to have your letters delivered to them by hand, call them, try and email them ... do whatever you can to make your voice heard.

More importantly, contact YOUR direct representative. If they are a member of the subcommittee ... awesome! If not, ask them to contact members of the subcommittee on your behalf. Email and call them ... (www.nohr669.com makes it super easy) and if at all possible, try and get an in person meeting with them or someone from their office this week while their home on spring break. Contact with your direct Representative in Congress is critical in making our voices heard!

If anyone has any questions on HR 669 or contacting their Representative please don't hesitate to ask here on this thread or email info@hr669.com.

-adam

LOL - you're too fast for me Adam! :gj:

As a member of the Rocky Mt. Llama Association, I've passed the word along already...It is spreading!

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

The problem though is that Congressmen/women are only interested in speaking with people that are from the district that they represent.

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I recognize that. What I was wondering is if I could make a bigger impact by getting on the phone with pet stores, putting up craigslist ads, etc, in areas served by the representatives on the subcommittee, which would hopefully get people in those areas to call or email their representatives. As it turns out, my neighboring district representative IS on the subcommittee, so I'll focus my efforts in that direction, since I live very near the border and it won't be much more driving but I'll be able to go in person.

And of course I'll call & email my own representative as well.

Also, llamas ARE exempted, but alpacas and emus ARE NOT.

This law doesn't even make any sense! :mad:

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Originally Posted by kc261

I recognize that. What I was wondering is if I could make a bigger impact by getting on the phone with pet stores, putting up craigslist ads, etc, in areas served by the representatives on the subcommittee, which would hopefully get people in those areas to call or email their representatives. As it turns out, my neighboring district representative IS on the subcommittee, so I'll focus my efforts in that direction, since I live very near the border and it won't be much more driving but I'll be able to go in person.

And of course I'll call & email my own representative as well.

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Absolutely perfect!

If you have friends/relatives in the district of ANY of the subcommittee members, make sure you fire them up as well ... and have them fire up their entire neighborhood! ... If we bring the fight to them as well as put pressure on them from each of our own elected officials, they will hear us.

Make no mistake, I've personally seen more passion, dedication, and strength in the last 10 days from pet owners that are willing to do whatever it takes to beat HR 669 than at any other point in my life.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Make no mistake, I've personally seen more passion, dedication, and strength in the last 10 days from pet owners that are willing to do whatever it takes to beat HR 669 than at any other point in my life.

-adam

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We have you to thank for a lot of this Adam

this also might be of some help considering this is one of their supposed reasons for this piece of trash.

http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/animals/bts.shtml

also according to this article http://guam.mvarietynews.com/index.p...-news&Itemid=2

its already illegal to import all exotics to guam and ill pot the frighting quote


“It is illegal to import all kinds of exotic animals to Guam without obtaining a permit first. But we don’t give permits for reptiles and other dangerous animals,” DA director Paul Bassler told Variety

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Originally Posted by stormwulf133

We have you to thank for a lot of this Adam

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Quoted for truth! There are several "big guys" stepping up to the plate, I love seeing such a united front.

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Originally Posted by stormwulf133

We have you to thank for a lot of this Adam

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I'm just a very small part of what's going on. Thank you's should go to all of the bird owners, fish owners, small mammal owners, and reptile and amphibian owners that are stepping up and being heard in the halls of Congress. We're at well over 5000 users registered on www.nohr669.com in the last 65 hours alone and the numbers just aren't slowing down! NOHR669.com would be a insignifigant footnote in the fight against HR 669 without the support from all of the pet communities out there!!

Keep going! We can defeat this thing!

Email through NOHR669.com EVERY DAY! Call EVERY DAY! Do your small part each day and together, WE ALL CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Thank you to everyone!

-adam

So I've been making some phone calls today trying to get the word out. I called a local emu farm I happened to know about. She sounded like she knew way more than me about how Congress works, and was asking questions about who introduced the bill, etc. I told her it was a Representative from Guam, and she said she did not believe that the Guam Representatives were allowed to introduce bills or to vote on bills. Does anyone know details about this so if it happens to come up again I can sound intelligent in answering the question?

The good news is that my totally stupid "I don't have a clue" answer didn't seem to lower her concern and she was still going to look into it and pass the word along to other emu farms.

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Originally Posted by kc261

So I've been making some phone calls today trying to get the word out. I called a local emu farm I happened to know about. She sounded like she knew way more than me about how Congress works, and was asking questions about who introduced the bill, etc. I told her it was a Representative from Guam, and she said she did not believe that the Guam Representatives were allowed to introduce bills or to vote on bills. Does anyone know details about this so if it happens to come up again I can sound intelligent in answering the question?

The good news is that my totally stupid "I don't have a clue" answer didn't seem to lower her concern and she was still going to look into it and pass the word along to other emu farms.

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she can serve on committees, but she cannot vote when the actual house votes on the bill. that is per the Guam Organic Act of 1950

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Originally Posted by nixer

she can serve on committees, but she cannot vote when the actual house votes on the bill. that is per the Guam Organic Act of 1950

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also note that the following territories do not have a vote
American Samoa
District of Columbia
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands

Thanks Nixer.

So these people can introduce bills but not vote on them?

Another question... what exactly is happening on April 23? I believe I've seen phrases like "it will be in front of the subcommittee" or something. Will the subcommittee be voting on it on that date? And if it passes that vote, it goes on to the full house, but if it does not pass, it is dead?