Press Release
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Animal Wellness Organization Honors Black Sabbath Bassist Geezer Butler, Actor and Director Alison Eastwood, and Philanthropists Laurie McGrath and Dr. Gary Michelson
Awards presented at Center for a Humane Economy’s first Malibu Sunset Soirée
Malibu, CA — The Center for a Humane Economy, including its Global Council for Animals, presented awards to four game-changing individuals for their lifetime commitment to animal welfare
The event, the first Malibu Sunset Soirée for Animals, was held in Malibu, Calif., recognized individuals for advancing animal welfare in the state and across the country. Recipients included:
- Geezer Butler, Black Sabbath bassist, for his dedication to animal advocacy. He’s been a vegetarian since his teens.
- Alison Eastwood, acclaimed director and actress, for her leadership in her work for companion animals, including her animal-care facility in Agoura Hills.
- Laurie McGrath, philanthropist, for her unwavering commitment in helping secure major gains for animals, including Proposition 2 (farm animal welfare) in California and end to the use of chimpanzees nationwide in invasive experiments.
- Gary Michelson, MD, scientist and philanthropist, for his pioneering work in animal welfare and his work to pass the FDA Modernization Act 2.0
Alison Eastwood and Wayne Pacelle
Wayne Pacelle, president of the Center for a Humane Economy and its sister organization, Animal Wellness Action, remarked, “The honorees exemplify the compassion and commitment needed to drive real change for animals within California but also on the national stage. It is no exaggeration to say that millions of animals will be spared torment and cruelty because of their selfless dedication to the well-being of animals.”
The event also highlighted recent successes in California that have stirred national action, including:
- Passing Prop 12, prohibiting the sale of animal products from animals raised in extreme confinement—with the Supreme Court of the United States last year upholding the landmark law as a proper exercise of state authority.
- Banning the trade of kangaroo parts and protecting native wildlife, with new national legislation introduced modeled after the California law.
- Outlawing trophy hunting of mountain lions and bobcats, with Colorado citizens now having an opportunity in this fall’s election to replicate that policy in the Rocky Mountain State.
- Halting the use of toxic lead ammunition in hunting, which has triggered a national campaign to halt the massive use of the toxic element in sport hunting.
- Ending horse slaughter for human consumption, with the Congress poised at some point soon to enact a ban on live exports of horses for slaughter for consumption
The event was organized by a host committee of Gloria Butler, Stacey Kivowitz, and Bobi Leonard with sponsorship from The Schuman Family Foundation, Casey Gordon Real Estate, and Fairfield Farm
Animal Wellness Action is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) whose mission is to help animals by promoting laws and regulations at federal, state and local levels that forbid cruelty to all animals. The group also works to enforce existing anti-cruelty and wildlife protection laws. Animal Wellness Action believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @AWAction_News
Center for a Humane Economy is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) whose mission is to help animals by helping forge a more humane economic order. The first organization of its kind in the animal protection movement, the Center encourages businesses to honor their social responsibilities in a culture where consumers, investors, and other key stakeholders abhor cruelty and the degradation of the environment and embrace innovation as a means of eliminating both. The Center believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @TheHumaneCenter
The Global Council for Animals is a dedicated group of volunteers working to advance animal protection efforts worldwide. In collaboration with the Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action, the Council supports legislative and corporate reforms to improve the lives of animals.