Legislation to eliminate soring by establishing science-based, objective testing protocols introduced by Congressman Marsha Blackburn has received widespread approval across many of the communities affected by the Tennessee Walking Horse in the state of Tennessee. Eugene Ray, Mayor of Bedford County along with several of his counterparts in other parts of Middle Tennessee sent letters supporting H.R. 4098, the Horse Protection Amendments Act introduced by Blackburn and co-sponsored by all of her fellow Republican delegation in Tennessee.
The common-sense legislation that eliminates soring and preserves the history and tradition of the Tennessee Walking Horse would also establish a single, independent and qualified enforcement body to administer the Horse Protection Act. Tennessee's Commissioner of Agriculture would appoint two members to the board of the enforcement body.
March 6, 2014
Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn
217 Cannon Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Blackburn,
I would like to commend you on the introduction of H.R. 4098, the Horse Protection Amendments Act of 2013. As Mayor of Bedford County the Tennessee Walking Horse industry is vital to so many of our communities.
The legislation you introduced is a common-sense approach that will reform the industry while preserving the rich tradition of the Tennessee Walking Horse. The rural, one-night horse show that is the backbone of the industry is vital to the charities and civic clubs of our county that benefit from the horse shows. Your legislation will allow those to continue and grow and thus provide more economic impact to our county and corresponding charities.
The Walking Horse industry has a rich tradition in Tennessee and we are pleased to see legislation that calls for objective, science-based inspections of our horses to ensure their welfare at events. We are encouraged and support fully the legislation you’ve introduced and thank you again for standing up for the tradition and history of the Tennessee Walking Horse that is so vital to communities in Tennessee.
Sincerely,
Mayor Eugene Ray
Bedford County
Click here to view copy of Mayor Ray's letter. Other mayors that have sent similar letters include:
Johnny Clayton - Hohenwald
Jim Azbill - Linden
Joe Boyd Liggett - Marshall County
Richard Stewart - Franklin County
Steve Gregory - Hickman County
John Ed Underwood, Jr. - Fayetteville
Dean Dickey - Columbia
William K. Durham - Lawrenceburg