Letter from Dave Orr

March 17, 2007 The Honorable Richard Roy Co-Chair The Honorable Paul Davis Vice Chair The Honorable Clark J. Chapin Ranking Member Connecticut General Assembly Joint Committee on the Environment Room 3200, Legislative Office Building Hartford, CT 06106 Dear Representatives Roy, Davis and Chapin: I respectfully urge you to vote against House Bill 6599 which would prevent circuses with elephants from visiting the state of Connecticut for the following reasons: 1. Standards specified by your state are not necessary because the circus industry and elephant handlers are regulated and inspected by the federal government through the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2. The use of bullhooks or similar guides is a proven and humane practice accepted by the USDA and is commonly used by elephant handlers in preserves, zoos and circuses throughout the world. It should be noted that a bullhook is similar in design as a stick used to show cattle. 3. It is unfortunate that this bill is being pushed by animal rights activists as a way to ban circuses from your state. Please seek information from animal experts, not activists, about the proper and safe use of elephant training tools. Animal rights activists have only one agenda - ban performing animals entirely. Over the last 40 years, I have met and befriended many animal trainers - elephants, lions, tigers, chimpanzees, monkeys, bears, sea lions and horses - and have never observed any of these animal people abusing their animals. I value the opportunity of my children and grandchildren as well as the general public in the State of Connecticut being able to see elephants in circuses in your state. Don't be taken in by the pressures of the animal rights activists and vote "NO" to bill 6599 introduced by Rep. Diana Urban. Thank you for taking the time to read my email and for your consideration with a "NO" vote. Respectfully yours, John C. Goodall, Jr. Vice Chairman Circus World Museum Foundation, Inc. Baraboo, WI 53913 cc: The Honorablle Mike Alberts The Honorable Terry Backer The Honorable Tom F. Christiano The Honorable Leonard Greene Leonard The Honorable Jack F. Hennessy The Honorable Bryan Hurlburt The Honorable Ed Jutila The Honorable Raymond C. Kalinowski The Honorable Robert W. Megna, The Honorable Lawrence Miller The Honorable Craig A. Miner The Honorable Russell A. Morin The Honorable Edward E.Moukawsher The Honorable Mary Mushinsky The Honorable James O'Rourke The Honorable Chris Perone The Honorable John E. Piscopo The Honorable James Field Spallone The Honorable George M. Wilber The Honorable Roberta B. Willis The Honorable Elissa T. Wright,