MFK form letter on HR669- Make your voice heard!

[ewurm]

Word Doc:

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/hr669/hr669letter.doc

PDF :

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/hr669/hr669letter.pdf


Please insert your information and send it to your congressmen and congresswomen


http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml

[ewurm]

you can also copy and paste the letter below

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13 April 2009

Congressman (name here)
Address street
Washington, D.C. (Zip code)

Dear Representative,
We are writing you today to communicate our position on an issue that affects the pet industry of the United States. I am speaking of HR 669, the “Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act”.
The United States imports over 2500 species of tropical fish every year as well as many other types of exotic pets. The majority of the people purchasing these animals and supporting that economy are responsible and dedicated to their hobby. We’d like to share with you our viewpoint on the matter.



The majority of animals imported into the United States for the pet industry are exotic species that are from tropical climates. While the release of these species in very few areas of the country can pose problems, a vast majority of these species cannot survive within the United States due to our mostly temperate climate.
This bill infringes upon the rights of the states to govern themselves regarding what animals are permitted and prohibited within it’s borders. All of the states in the union have laws prohibiting certain species due to localized concerns. Species of concern in Florida, Hawaii, and Guam are of little or no concern in most of the other states in the union. The states are already governing themselves appropriately and should continue to do so.
This bill would require the US Fish and Wildlife Service to enforce it. The USFWS is already strained for budget and personnel, and cannot afford further responsibilities like this bill would require. It isn’t feasible to have them take on the massive task of regulating the import of exotic animals without a massive increase in funding. This is completely inappropriate considering the state of our economy.
This bill would require that any animal not on the approved list to undergo an analysis to determine the risk factor as it pertains to the invasion of the species on native habitat. This would be costly and time consuming. As stated before, there are 2500 fish species imported every year, not to mention the birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, etc. In order to deal with the cost factor of all of these analyses, the bill proposes a fee for every animal that would be added to the approved list. The burden would be on the business owners who sell these animals.
The pet industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. If this bill were to pass, the franchised businesses such as Petco and Petsmart would be adversely affected but would most likely survive. The smaller businesses such as tropical fish retailers, wholesalers, aquaculture facilities, and reptile stores would most likely be pushed out of business. This bill is another negative on an economy that doesn’t need any more negative momentum.
The vast majority of the species in question have been in the U.S. for decades already with little impact except in the few states that have tropical climates (Southern Florida, Hawaii).
Our forums lead the way in providing education to hobbyists. We are actively engaged in educating hobbyists against the release of captive animals whether they are native or otherwise.


The pet industry and the dedicated hobbyists within the United States care greatly about preserving our natural resources and our habitat. Our forum is dedicated to educating pet owners about the detrimental and illegal release of pet animals into the wild. We believe that states should take measures to insure the safety of their wildlife and habitat based on their regional situation. Broad and sweeping legislation like this will hurt our quality of life and our economy while doing little to cure the problems faced by Southern Florida, Hawaii, and Guam. We ask you to reconsider this bill and the enormous affect that it would have on our industry. Please also view the petition from members of our organizations that are also opposed to this bill. We appreciate the consideration on this matter.

Sincerely,

(Your name here)

Member of Monsterfishkeepers.com
Hobbyist dedicated to prevent the release of exotic species

[ewurm]

Please post here when your letter has been sent!

[ExoticTrading]

just sent.
thanks

[fishlover88]

Congressman Jared Polis just recieved a letter from me.

[Cichlidsanders]

My Arizona Representatives "Ann Kirkpatrick" & "Trent Franks" will be receiving my Letter directly!

[1oooop]

do assemblymen count? I have one in my area.... he used to be mayor

[dlucas]

My congressman just got one from me!

[reepks]

Letter Just sent to NY Representative Eric Massa!
Thank you Monster fish Keepers!!!!!

[Triple S]

Letter sent to District 22 Rep. Ron Klein, FL

[Armand]

Hi.

I was sent a PM in which I was asked to participate in this petition, however I dont think my participation would make a difference, I am not a USA citizen and I dont even live in USA.

Good luck with this issue guys.


Cheers.

[Gene0514]

I just want to know before I make the letter, do all of u type it or write it by hand?

[stingray-guy74]

sent....

[phaedraeos]

while i didn't send this specific letter, i sent one of my own. i also wrote to cnn.com, the boston globe, and the ny times urging them to provide coverage of this bill and ensure that every american knew the perils their pets and hobbies potentially faced.

i would like to suggest that MFK members write to their respective newspapers and news sources and ask them to cover this bill. once it becomes national news, there's no way it can pass. the key is making the bill known to the american public as a whole.

[loganh83]

Better believe I sent mine!

[UnbelieveableD]

Letter sent to San Bernardino, Ca - District 41. Congressman Jerry Lewis.

[A. IMPORTZ]

Letter sent to HI represenitive Abrocrombie

[rey420]

who do i send it to in california? there a long list of people. want to do my part to save our hobby!!!

[Gene0514]

Letter Sent to Brooklyn, NY District 8 Rep. Jerrold Nadler

[electropunk]

just sent mine to Congressman Fortenberry, Nebraska 1st district....thanks for making it so easy :D

[electropunk]

I just want to know before I make the letter, do all of u type it or write it by hand?


i emailed my rep, really easy

[vanillaxtiffy]

I sent mine!

[Yota]

Sent

[zfoster22]

i just sent one to obama woops that sure wont help

[thor meeki]

Sent to Illinois 18th district Aaron Schock
(my browser is a ps3) Once I figured out how to copy & paste it wasn't that bad. XD

[mbrand6]

I just sent one to Colorado senator Udall and getting ready to send one to a member of congress.

[dlucas]

response from my letter to Zach Space of Ohio

Dear Mr. Lucas,

Thank you for contacting me with your opposition to the Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act. I appreciate the benefit of your perspective on this issue.

As a pet owner, I share your interest in insuring that all Americans have unfettered access to pet markets. Many Americans choose to adopt exotic animals as pets, a practice which I support. As such, I believe that Congress should not overstep its bounds and needlessly regulate the pet industry.

The legislation to which you referred, the Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act, has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources, of which I am not a Member. Please rest assured that should this legislation be considered on the Floor of the House, I will keep your concerns in mind.

Thanks again for taking the time to get involved. Please don't hesitate to contact me again in the future.




Sincerely,
Zack Space
Member of Congress

[velanarris]

Sent and I got a similar response from both Reps in MA.

[john__505]

Sent mine to the First District Bob Brady of PA

[mike dunagan]

sent to my rep

[ewurm]

i emailed my rep, really easy


Emails are typically discarded. The old fashioned way makes them at least open it. I got this info from a person on capitol hill who has graciously offered to help.

[noillinator]

I just sent one to Dan Burton, 5th district, Indiana. This directly affects me and my families livelihood. He has one of the largest aquarium manufacturing companies in the US in his district. He will vote against it.

[invisyblegypsey]

got a reply!!!!!!!!!!!!
from the Office of Congressman John Adler
Thank you for emailing me with your thoughts and comments. Knowing your views is helpful as I work to represent the needs and concerns of our district. Every day, I receive a large number of e-mails on a variety of issues; therefore, I appreciate your patience in receiving a detailed response to your email. Please be assured that the appropriate legislative staffer will review your email.

If you need assistance with a government agency, please contact my Toms River office at 732-608-7235 or my Marlton office at 856-985-2777, and my staff will be available to help you.

[noillinator]

Another avenue is to call your representatives office and see what their position is and let them know your position verbally. I called Dan Burton's Indianapolis office. He has not stated his position. I told his office I was opposed to the bill and why. They took my name and address. I also called Andre Carson's office. He is not my representative and has not set his position either. They were not as interested in my position once I told them he was not my representative. I was able to voice it however. It is a Democratic Bill therefore it is important to voice your opposition to the democratic Congressmen and Congresswomen.

[Ak-Kronic]

Congressman Don Young from Ak just got my letter, come on guys/gals we need every dang member to send a letter. hell even get your friends who aren't members to send letters!!! if this thing passes we can kiss our hobbies/lives for some good bye!!!

[chefjamesscott]

I am canadian so I would not count but i am very much with you in this in spirit

[chefjamesscott]

Congressman Don Young from Ak just got my letter, come on guys/gals we need every dang member to send a letter. hell even get your friends who aren't members to send letters!!! if this thing passes we can kiss our hobbies/lives for some good bye!!!

to true yall need to activate and motivate there in the us

[noillinator]

Congressman Don Young from Ak just got my letter, come on guys/gals we need every dang member to send a letter. hell even get your friends who aren't members to send letters!!! if this thing passes we can kiss our hobbies/lives for some good bye!!!


Yes, even friends who aren't members. I sent an email to everyone in my contact list with the video attach. Spread the word. Our FREEDOM is being taken away. Our tax dollars are being wasted. Our guns are next. Act now. Stop government regulation and waste!!!!

[chefjamesscott]

thought you would like to see this from another forum im on
http://www.frontosa.com/portal.php

[PetZoneSanDiego]

Letter sent...

[Sykosys000]

A little late but sent

[saltwaterman 2008]

can i send it in an email even tho im not from usa or even live there because i would like to help ?

[n8gomez]

CA Rep Doris Matsui just received my letter.