The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and President Lacy Upchurch have officially endorsed S. 2193 introduced by Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN).  This endorsement comes after Tennessee Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau have already endorsed the house companion bill (H.R. 4098)introduced by Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) earlier this year.

Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) were original co-sponsors of S. 2193 that calls for independent oversight of enforcement of the Horse Protection Act (HPA), an advisory welfare committee of independent veterinarians, objective, science-based inspection protocols and increased penalties for violators of the HPA.



Tennessee Farm Bureau President, Lacy Upchurch release the following letter. You can also click here to view the letter.

April 23, 2014

The Honorable Lamar Alexander
United States Senate
455 Senate Dirksen Office Building
Washington DC 20510-4206

Dear Senator Alexander:

Thank you for your introduction and support of S.2193, the Horse Protection Amendments Act of 2014. On behalf of the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, I commend you and Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Rand Paul for your action. We support this common-sense approach and believe your efforts, along with Congressman Blackburn and others in the House, provide a path for all Tennesseans to once again embrace the beauty of the Tennessee Walking Horse.

Not only is the Tennessee Walking Horse symbolic for our state, but the equine industry as a whole provides a
valuable market for many agricultural commodities and equine owners patronize many farm service businesses.

We are proud of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry and support efforts to move in a direction where all
Tennesseans can embrace the beauty of the horse along with a confidence in the care of the animal.
Your legislation (S.2193) implements an objective, science based testing process and provides a bright line
indicator of the misuse of both chemicals and equipment. This technology and process ensures the basic rights
of those who follow the law will be protected. For those who do not follow the law, the inspection process will
provide undisputable evidence.

We thank you for your support and want to help you in your efforts to move forward.
Thank you again for all you do.

Sincerely,

W. Lacy Upchurch
President

cc: The Honorable Bill Haslam, Governor of Tennessee
Julius Johnson, Commissioner of Agriculture
Bob Stallman, President of American Farm Bureau Federation