Reps. Sheltrown, Hildenbrand, Schuitmaker, Moore, Polidori, Mayes, Huckleberry, McDowell, Dean, Durhal, Gonzales, LeBlanc, Neumann, Rogers, Valentine and Booher offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 168.

            A resolution to memorialize Congress to adopt the Humane and Optimal Restoration and Sustainability of Equines Act.

            Whereas, The last three horse slaughterhouses operating in the United States were closed in 2007. That has not, however, stopped the transport of horses to Mexico and Canada for processing. Unfortunately, horse slaughter is not humane euthanasia. The horses suffer extreme hardships when shipped across our borders to slaughter plants in other countries. In addition, many horses have been sent to slaughter against the wishes of their previous owners; and

            Whereas, The Humane and Optimal Restoration and Sustainability of Equines (H.O.R.S.E.) Act has been introduced in Congress to protect the rights of owners who never want to see their horse go to processing, but also to provide humane methods for handling those horses that do go to processing. The act would tighten regulations for equines being transported to processing plants and increase enforcement of laws at international borders to ensure that horses going to processing plants are truly meant to be transported there; and

            Whereas, The act would require horses brought to processing plants that have identification designations, such as lip tattoos or microchips, be checked to see if they are registered on a national do-not-slaughter list. Euthanization of horses for any purpose would occur in a manner that is quick, painless, and as stress-free as possible. Employees at equine processing facilities involved in the euthanasia of horses prior to processing would be trained in methods approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize Congress to adopt the Humane and Optimal Restoration and Sustainability of Equines Act; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.