From Gary Payne

Thank you to one and all.... Today, once again, the phone calls and Emails poured in to me. (I could not keep up with the inquirys) The Joint Committee on the Environment will vote on HB6599 some time Wednesday. Some last minute updates: 1- If you have not yet got thru (lines are jammed) on the phone or not yet sent your Email.... Please....it is best NOT to contact the sponsers of the bill: Representatives Diana Urban and Steve Fontana. Ms Urban has suggested that some people (Probably not even CFA ) are engaging in personal attacks, and regardless of how we may feel about that we do not wish to be unprofessional....leave that to the other side. Best leave her alone. 2- If the vote is NOT favorable to our side. Do not feel disappointed. We have learned that it may be piggybacked to a more popular bill in order to further HB6599. (A common political practice) This does NOT mean it will become law.... It just means we'll have more work to do. 3- We have learned a great deal in the past 48 hours. Our campaign has had a lot of impact. Just in the past two hours I heard from a senator asking to speak with Bob Commerford for demonstration of the bull hook. He was influenced by the volume and quality of the Emails and phone calls he is receiving and feels he needs to reconsider his vote in our favor. 4- Don't lose sight of the fact that we are all circus fans. This is our hobby. A past time. A source of great joy. Don't allow yourself to be discouraged or made angry. Just be patient and persistent and professional. It's difficult - I know. Thank you all..... I am proud to be a circus fan and member of the CFA today! (I will be away from Email 3/21 thru 3/24) Visiting Atlantic City and catching performance of Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Red Unit! Poles to engine, Gary C. Payne