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Vice President’s Address

published: October 3rd 2008
by: Rosalee Coleman
source: ICA Of Texas

Normally you would see a newsletter from Peanut Gilfillian, our President, in this column.  However, nothing has been normal for coastal residents since Hurricane Ike, and this is especially true for those in and around Chambers and Jefferson counties.  Cattle are scattered everywhere, fences and barns are gone, and the livestock death loss is going to be extreme.  Many of our SETICA members are affected by this, and Peanut and his family are only one example of this destruction.  He not only has livestock problems, but also lost the roof off his house in the storm. He is trying to pull things together right now, and that is why I am writing the column this month. Please join me in praying for those facing this devastation, and please send contributions to help in the relief effort if you are able.
    ICA is working to help as much as we can, and we also continue to work for you on the issues that are important to the producer.  Last Tuesday I traveled to Devine to attend a meeting of the Medina Cattlemen's Association, and invite them to join ICA.  Bill Hyman, Windy and Laurie Miller, and I all spoke to the gathering, and we received a warm reception.  The evening was set up by Windy and Laurie, and I certainly enjoyed meeting the Medina Cattlemen Association members and their spouses.  Bill talked to them about ICA and the work that we do, and also about the losses sustained in the Galveston-Beau-mont area. They took up a collection for the relief fund.  It was a very heart-warming experience for us.
    Recently, H.R.6598 moved another step into becoming law, in spite of the efforts of ICA and other Cattlemen's Asso-ciations to stop it. This bill would make it a crime to knowingly own, sell, transport or even possess a horse with the intent of slaughtering that horse for human consumption.  ICA believes that a horse owner has the right to dispose of that animal as he sees fit, and that this bill is a serious blow to property rights.  The Humane Society and some well-meaning people are behind the fight to make it illegal to sell horses for slaughter. They don't understand that they are creating a bigger problem as people turn their unwanted horses loose on highways and private ranches because there is no market for them and they cannot pay the fees necessary to euthanize them. We do have some powerful friends in the House that are working to stop H.R. 6598, and we hope they will be successful. Our thanks go to House Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson, Rep. Goodlatte, and others who recognize that the rancher is being hurt by this bill. Issues like this will become more frequent as time goes on and the main population of our country is removed from any knowledge of the country lifestyle. We will need to be vigilant and work hard against extremist groups in order to protect our property rights.
    Other concerns, such as Renewable Fuel Stand-ards, COOL Implementa-tion, Cattle Health and Wellbeing, Death Tax, Animal ID, and water and trade issues need constant monitoring, and ICA is on the job for you. We thank you for your membership.
    Sincerely,
    Rosalee Coleman
ICA