The November 23rd edition of Our Town includes a feature by Jane Warshaw on the 5th anniversary of the League of Humane Voters of New York City:"The event honored New York City's 'Humane Legislators of the Year.' Executive Director John Phillips presented awards to West Side Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal; longtime animal advocate State Sen. Frank Padavan, who represents parts of Queens; and East Side Council Member Rosie Mendez. ...
The league also celebrated the election of East Side Assembly Member Brian Kavanagh and State Sen. Martin Connor, who represents parts of downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn. Other honored guests included soap star and Emmy-nominated actor Grant Aleksander and artist Peter Max. The league says it tries to remind legislators that every hand carrying a cat carrier also pulls the lever in a voting booth -- as does every hand at the end of a leash. It has campaigned for a variety of issues, including the requirement that fire sprinklers be installed everywhere animals are sheltered more than 24 hours, and the enforcement of a state law which requires teaching humane care of animals in all public schools."
Read the entire article after the jump.
"A Fete for Animal-Loving Legislators
League of Humane Voters recognizes winning candidates at post-election partyBy Jane Warshaw
'I care about animals and I vote!'
That's the message of the League of Humane Voters, New York City (LOHV-NYC). The group recently celebrated its fifth anniversary and the election of 11 city and state animal-friendly candidates it endorsed. The post-election party was held Nov. 15 at The Theater for the New City, on First Avenue and 10th Street.
The event honored New York City's 'Humane Legislators of the Year.' Executive Director John Phillips presented awards to West Side Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal; longtime animal advocate State Sen. Frank Padavan, who represents parts of Queens; and East Side Council Member Rosie Mendez.
Rosenthal and Padavan worked together to pass legislation to pass legislation which protects pets by allowing them to be included in orders of protection issued to owners.
'For many New Yorkers, our pets are an integral part of our family,' Rosenthal said in a press release announcing the law. 'Court orders provide protection for spouses, significant others and children in domestic violence cases--they should also protect those who cannot speak or stand up for themselves.'
Padavan has also sponsored legislation to ban the production of foie gras in New York State, and to ban canned shoots, in which animals as hunted on enclosed property. Gov. George Pataki vetoed the canned hunt bill, but Padavan says he'll work with Governor-elect Spitzer to sign it into law.
Mendez was honored for her work to ban the use of wild and exotic animals for entertainment and also to protect the rights of pet owners living in apartments through the pets in housing bill.
The league also celebrated the election of East Side Assembly Member Brian Kavanagh and State Sen. Martin Connor, who represents parts of downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn. Other honored guests included soap star and Emmy-nominated actor Grant Aleksander and artist Peter Max. The league says it tries to remind legislators that every hand carrying a cat carrier also pulls the lever in a voting booth -- as does every hand at the end of a leash. It has campaigned for a variety of issues, including the requirement that fire sprinklers be installed everywhere animals are sheltered more than 24 hours, and the enforcement of a state law which requires teaching humane care of animals in all public schools.
The audience at the Nov. 15 event was also entertained by the singing group Veggie Voices and an appearance by singer and Broadway star Nellie McKay. Hors d'oeuvres were, of course, vegan. For more information on this New York City animal advocate organization, visit humanenyc.org."
(C) 2006 Our Town
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