Past American Horses Christmas Tree
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Dec 10th, 6:00-Hitchcock Texas
���� As the year 2005
nears the holiday season, Organizers from Habitat for Horses/Lone Star Equine
Rescue, and other anti-slaughter equine coalitions, who have been fighting the
long battle raging through Congress, in an effort to end the slaughter of
America's horses, will celebrate a hard earned victory to their cause, with the
lighting of the American Horses Christmas Tree. Horse advocates this year have
made great strides in Congress, with the passing of an amendment in both the
House and the Senate which removes federal funds from the inspection of horse
meat at horse slaughtering facilities. This will close the facilities for at
least a portion of the year in 2006, and for the first time in decades horse
slaughter in the U S will cease.
���� Many horse lovers
may remember the first lighting of the Horses Christmas Tree, which took place
Dec 6, 2003 in Santa Fe, Texas. The tree was erected as a symbol for the wishes
of the world to keep horses safe and protected from harm. The many ornaments and
decorations were sent from around the world with hopes that in the coming year
of 2004, horse slaughter in America would be abolished forever. Absent from the
tree was the final decoration, star which would not be placed on the top of the
tree until slaughter was over and the horses were safe. "Until the last horse is
safe, we will not rest.", became their vow.
���� But the
year 2004 would not grant those hopes, as the American Horse Slaughter
Prevention Act, was held up in the Agriculture Committee, by one man.
Representative Bob Goodlatte had refused to let the legislation go forth to the
Congress floor, even to be heard for a vote. The year came to an end with the
realization that the hopes and wishes for the horses would not be met. The tree
without a star, without ornaments, or celebration, would stand quiet and alone
in Hitchcock Texas, with 2,500 tiny lights blazing on it to symbolize the
memories of the thousands of horses lives that were lost due to slaughter. It
would be the first time in years that in Hitchcock Texas, it snowed on Christmas
Day.
���� 2005 was a new beginning and horse advocates
true to their vow, fought on. July 1st they would lose a hero. Mary Nash had
been their leader in the fight against horse slaughter, and had brought hundreds
of horse lovers everywhere, together through her website, exposing the little
known horrors of horse slaughter.
���� �"Until the
last horse is safe we will not rest", became a promise made to her from
hundreds, who now follow the path that she provided. The promise to Mary and the
fight for the horses has finally gained a hard won victory in this war against
the slaughter. The Senate and the House of Representatives have passed with
landslide votes in both houses, an amendment that will close the horse
slaughtering facilities for 8 months in 2006.
���� To
celebrate thousands of the horses lives that will be spared the fate of
slaughter, the memory of the lives of the horses lost, to bring new hope and
wishes for a safe future for all the horses, and as a special dedication in
celebration to honor the memory of the life of Mary Nash, equine lovers
everywhere are invited to share in the celebration. Join in to renew the hope,
and give added strength to the horses with the wishes that in 2006, the American
Horse Slaughter Prevention Act will pass through Congress, bringing their fight
to its end, as the slaughter houses close forever.
����
Habitat for Horses/Lone Star Equine Rescue organizers for the "2005 Tree
lighting ceremony for the American Horses Christmas Tree", are asking for a show
of support to the horses, by inviting all horse lovers everywhere to donate an
ornament for the tree, with your Christmas wish for the horses, which will be
read during this special ceremony, and your ornament with the name of a horse,
either one in memory, or one for the hopes of a safe future, will be used to
decorate this fabulous tree.
���� Send ornaments to:
Habitat for Horses, P.O. Box 213 Hitchcock, TX 77563. Please make sure ornaments
will withstand outdoor weather. To send a wish for the horses please contact
Daniel Cordero Fernandez, [email protected] who is keeping the list with names
and wishes of those who would like to send the gift of a safe future out to all
of America's horses. For more information, to R.S.V.P and for directions, please
contact Julie Caramante, [email protected].
���� And
of course everyone's presence for this event is requested to join with us for
this celebration of victory for the horses, and to honor them and the joy they
bring to us all, and to wish each and everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year.
���� Let your voice be heard in this promise
"Until the last horse is safe...we will not rest!" And let's make 2006 the most
fantastic year ever for our horses, and see the last slaughter house forever
close, and allow the beginning of their journey to a secure future blessed with
hope and safety for them all.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!
Habitat for Horses, Inc.
P.O.
Box 213
Hitchcock, TX 77563
1.866.HFH.LSER