06-R 191

2006 -- H 7971

Enacted 04/06/06

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO

ANIMALS FOR ITS 140 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF RHODE ISLAND, THE

UNITED STATES AND THEIR ANIMALS

Introduced By: Representatives Lewiss, Gallison, Lima, Shanley, and Mumford

Date Introduced: April 06, 2006

     WHEREAS, April 10, 2006, is the 140th anniversary of the founding of The American

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ("ASPCA"); and

     WHEREAS, The ASPCA has provided services to millions of people and their animals

since its establishment in 1866 by Henry Bergh; and

     WHEREAS, The ASPCA was the first humane society established in the western

hemisphere; and

     WHEREAS, In 1867 the ASPCA operated the first ambulance for injured horses in New

York City; two years before the Bellevue Hospital put the first ambulance for humans into

service; and

     WHEREAS, In 1870 Henry Bergh, founder of the ASPCA, was asked to address a

committee in Rhode Island to aid in forming a humane society, which ultimately became the

present day Rhode Island SPCA, the third oldest humane society in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, In 1920 ASPCA veterinarians advanced the use of anesthesia in animal

surgery and first used radium to treat cancer in pets; and

     WHEREAS, In 1973 the ASPCA Adoptions Department began a compulsory spay and

neuter program for all animals; and

     WHEREAS, In 1992 ASPCA began promoting the adoption of retired greyhounds to

help rescue groups across the country; and

     WHEREAS, In 1996 the ASPCA acquired the National Animals Poison Control Center,

the only veterinary toxicology telephone service in the United States operating 24 hours a day,

365 days a year; and

     WHEREAS, In 2005 the ASPCA Disaster Relief Fund (established after the terrorist

attacks of September 11, 2001) received an unprecedented outpouring of support from ASPCA

members after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast. The ASPCA helped rescue

thousands of animals, and committed millions of dollars to rebuild shelters and restore animal

control programs throughout the storm-ravaged region; and

     WHEREAS, The ASPCA teaches children the character-building virtues of compassion,

kindness, and respect for all creatures; and

     WHEREAS, The dedicated directors, staff, and volunteers of ASPCA have provided

shelter, medical care, behavioral training, and placement for abandoned, abused, or homeless

animals in the United States for more than a century; and

     WHEREAS, The ASPCA, through its observance of April as Prevention of Cruelty to

Animals Month and its promotion of humane animal treatment through programs in law

enforcement, education, shelter outreach, poison control, legislative affairs, counseling veterinary

services, and behavioral training, has provided invaluable services to the people of the United

States and their animals; now therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims April 10th a "Go-Orange" celebration marking the 140th

anniversary of the ASPCA charter, and April "Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month." We

extend our gratitude and thanks to the dedicated volunteers of the ASPCA who have provided

shelter and medical care, and assisted in the placement of abandoned and abused animals for

more than a century. In addition, we encourage the ASPCA together with the Rhode Island SPCA

to continue to educate adults and children that kindness, caring, and respect for all creatures

benefits both humans and animals; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Rhode Island SPCA and the ASPCA.

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LC02972

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