Washington (August 28, 2007)—Citing her as a leader on animal welfare policy, the Humane Society Legislative Fund announced that it has endorsed Niki Tsongas in Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District race.

"In order to pass humane laws, we need humane lawmakers like Niki Tsongas," said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "Voters in the 5th District who care about animal welfare should support her election."

In a response to a questionnaire from HSLF, Tsongas wrote, "Animals have an impact on all of our lives and should be treated with care and respect. If elected to Congress I will support legislation that protects the rights of animals, from family pets to farm animals to endangered species." She added, "Cruelty and inhumane treatment of animals, whether it is steel-jawed leghold traps or the commercial hunting of seals, should be prevented. In Congress, I would support legislation that prohibits these and other brutal practices."

When Paul Tsongas served in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, he was a consistently strong supporter of animal welfare issues. Niki Tsongas wrote, "My husband Paul was supportive of Humane Society initiatives when he was a Congressman and US Senator, and later worked closely with the Humane Society and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals when he represented their interests on Capitol Hill. I was always supportive of his efforts." 

Similarly, U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan consistently scored a perfect 100 on the Humane Scorecard for the last several sessions of Congress before his retirement. Added Amundson, "Massachusetts in general and the 5th District in particular have long had strong representation in Congress on animal welfare issues. We support Niki Tsongas' bid to fill this seat and to carry on this humane legacy."

Tsongas indicated in her questionnaire response to HSLF that she supports numerous federal bills to protect animals, including legislation to crack down on dogfighting and cockfighting, to ban horse slaughter for human consumption, to increase the safety of pet food, and to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of federal laws such as the Animal Welfare Act and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.

She also noted, "Our family has had dozens of pets and every one has made an impact and a lasting impression. Currently we have a cat, Eloise, who is intelligent and compassionate and makes a wonderful companion. Last year our golden retriever, Haile, passed away from cancer. Her ten years of life blessed my family with love, laughter, and friendship." 

HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

Media Contact:
Heather Sullivan, 301.548.7778, hsullivan@humanesociety.org

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. On the web at www.hslf.org.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 519 C Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002.