Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' & Exhibitors' Association Sr. Vice President Rob Cornelius issued a letter clarifying that TWHBEA does not have any representative lobbying Congress or working on their behalf with Congress regarding the PAST Act, sponsored by Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.).

Past TWHBEA President Marty Irby and Donna Benefield have been visiting with congressmen on Capitol Hill recently in support of the PAST Act.  Irby has been tabbed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) as an industry "insider" and spokesperson.  From Cornelius' letter, it is abundantly clear that he nor anyone else represents the thoughts of the breed registry in Washington.

Cornelius' letter is below:

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing this on behalf of the 8,300-member Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA). Established in 1935 and headquartered in Lewisburg, TN., TWHBEA is the official breed registry of the Tennessee Walking Horse. It has been brought to our attention that certain individuals may be working the halls of Congress seeking cosponsors or other endorsements for H. R. 1518 and S.1406. Regardless of what you may have been told, TWHBEA has not authorized any individuals or organizations to speak on its behalf in Washington regarding this legislation.  We recognize that you are currently facing more urgent and far-reaching issues than H. R. 1518 and S.1406. Should future discussions concerning these bills be necessary, we will be willing participants.

Let me re-emphasize that no individual or organization on Capitol Hill has the authorization to represent TWHBEA in an official capacity, and we respectfully request that you give no consideration to individuals or organizations directly or indirectly claiming to represent our organization.

Rob Cornelius
Senior Vice President/Admin/Fiscal/Audit
TWHBEA