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Ms. Panettiere Goes to
Washington…
Picture credits "Kurt
Soderling, Lesley Vogel, Gene Young, Colin Drummond
"
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Save
the Whales Again! Campaign spokesperson Hayden Panettiere
appeared at a press conference in Washington D.C. with
Congressmen Nick Rahall (D), Chris Shays (R), and Senator John
Kerry (D). The hi-powered group called on the Bush
Administration to stand up for whales at the International
Whaling Commission and take diplomatic and economic action
against the whaling countries of Japan, Norway, and
Iceland. |
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Earlier in the week, Hayden kicked off her trip with a
campaign rally in Dupont Circle and a lecture at Georgetown
University where she urged students to get involved and vote
in the upcoming Presidential
election. | .
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She then met with representatives from
the embassies of the nations that continue to kill whales for
commercial purposes – Japan, Iceland and Norway – to question
their outdated practices and ask their respective leaders to
stop whaling or face an international boycott.
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Later she met
presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) to
obtain his views on the subject and earlier in the day
Ms. Panettiere thanked Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) for
her staunch opposition to the Japan’s, Norway’s, and
Iceland’s government sponsored whaling
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“Whales face increasing
threats from climate change, ship strikes, entanglement in
nets, and chemical and noise pollution, yet Japan, Norway and
Iceland continue to kill them in increasing numbers,” said
Hayden. “I am here to talk with officials who actually
make and carry out our policies, as well as fellow young
people who will be voting in the upcoming election. Polls show
that 59% of Americans would be more willing to vote for a
candidate who takes a strong stand on whaling- I want our
voice to be heard!”
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The press conference was
hosted by House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee
Chair Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Senator John Kerry (D-MA).
Collectively they urged the US Government to reinstate its
former leadership role protecting whales from commercial
slaughter. Despite the public’s interest in protecting
whales, US leadership on whale issues has significantly
declined over the past seven years under the Bush
Administration. Most recently, the United States refused to
join with 30 nations and the European Commission in a
diplomatic protest against Japan’s Antarctic whaling
program.
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“We are at a critical point with respect to the
whale populations of the planet." said Senator John Kerry.
"Traditionally the United States has been the leader on this
issue and we have made that leadership known. We are here
today to re-assert America's responsibility on this issue. I
urge Chairman Hogarth and the entire US Delegation to work to
ensure that the integrity of the commercial whaling moratorium
and strongly oppose any efforts to weaken the core elements of
the International Whaling Commission." |
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“Recent polls show that
over 75 percent of registered voters oppose whaling, and over
two thirds want our government to do something about it, yet
to this point, little has been done to stop the increasing
slaughter,” said Jeff Pantukhoff, president and founder of The
Whaleman Foundation and executive director of the Save the
Whales Again! Campaign. “We need the United States to
reflect the will of its people and lead the way in taking all
necessary actions against Japan, Norway and Iceland until the
killing stops.” |
Here's what you can do:
1. Write,
e-mail, or call President Bush and let him know that you want the US
to use its sanctioning powers available under the Pelly Amendment
against Japan, Norway, and Iceland until they stop whaling. White
House Comment Line: (202) 456-2461. White House Fax Line: (202)
456-2461.
President Bush's e-mail address: president@whitehouse.gov
President
Bush's mailing address:
President George W. Bush, The White
House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20500.
2. Write or call your US Representatives
and Senators and let them know that you want the US to invoke the
Pelly Amendment against Japan, Norway, and Iceland until they stop
whaling.
US Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121.
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