Washington, D.C. — Today, Priscilla Presley, U.S. Rep Steve Cohen (D-TN), and author and animal advocate Wayne Pacelle were recognized for their leadership and work to end the cruel practice of soring Tennessee Walking Horses. Awards were presented at the National Press Club by the Citizens Campaign Against Big Lick Animal Cruelty (CCABLAC) and its founder Clant M. Seay during a symposium honoring the late U.S. Senator Joseph Tydings (D-MD), the “Father of the Horse Protection Act,” who recently passed away.
Animal Wellness Action’s Executive Director, Marty Irby, a past president of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association, was also given a “Distinguished Service Award.”
“I’m honored on behalf of all who oppose animal cruelty,” said U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN). Tennessee Walkers are beautiful horses who don’t need to be horrifically ‘trained’ to be appreciated.”
“I’m grateful to be honored in Washington, D.C. today,” said Priscilla Presley. “Many thanks to the thousands of advocates who have done so much work to further the PAST Act and help the horses. Senator Tydings would be proud to see us carry on his legacy.”
“When you learn about what some trainers and owners do to Tennessee Walking horses, you just can’t be a bystander,” said Wayne Pacelle, who last year founded Animal Wellness Action, a new advocacy organization to help animals. “I am extraordinarily grateful for Senator Tydings’ work to stop horse soring and am committed to doing my part to strengthen a law that he did so much to enact nearly a half century ago.”
“I am deeply honored to have been recognized alongside such a prestigious group of individuals at this event honoring my friend, Joe Tydings,” said Marty Irby. “The Senator would be very proud that his work will continue on until we finally end the horrific practice of soring I have witnessed since childhood, and we will leave no stone unturned in the effort to protect the horses.”
The symposium honoring Senator Tydings was focused on continuing his life’s work and securing his legacy by passing the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, an amendment to Tydings’ Horse Protection Act of 1970 that would close loopholes that have allowed soring to continue to run rampant. The PAST Act would eliminate the use of large stacked shoes and ankle chains, replace the industry’s failed self-policing program with licensed USDA inspectors at no cost to the taxpayer, and increase penalties for those caught violating the Act.
During the ceremony, Priscilla Presley called for the PAST Act to be renamed the “U.S. Senator Joseph D. Tydings Memorial PAST Act” and for Democrats and Republicans to move swiftly to honor the work of a lawmaker who fought cruelty to animals so strenuously.