S373 Python Ban

Alert: Senator Nelson Press Conference on Python Ban S373



PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY: Senator Nelson, Fl, Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, and Florida Governor Charlie Crist are holding a joint news conference to address invasive species in the Everglades. USARK believes this is an effort to raise awareness about S373 (the python ban) and position it as a solution to feral Burmese Pythons in the Everglades. USARK opposes S373 and maintains that passage of this bill would fail to address the issue of pythons in the Everglades. There is not a shred of scientific evidence to support that this bill would have any effect whatsoever on the Everglades. This bill is extremely short and could pass the Senate with very little consideration. If it gains the impetus to move forward it's effects on hobbyists, breeders, zoos, animal outreach programs and the Herp industry overall would be devastating.



It's time to get the Reptile Nation ramped up again to fight this misguided and flawed legislative proposal! USARK will keep the Reptile Nation apprised of the situation as it develops. Please be ready to take action in large numbers when we call for it!



Thank you,
USARK



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Click here to donate $10 dollars to Fight S373!



http://www.doi.gov/news/09_News_Releases/052709.html



Secretary Salazar, Gov. Crist and Sen. Nelson to Visit Florida Everglades, Receive Briefing on Invasive Species, Hold Media Availability

On Thursday, May 28, 2009, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Governor Charlie Crist and Senator Bill Nelson will visit the Florida Everglades where they will receive a briefing on invasive species control and the Burmese python, make an airboat tour of Alligator Bay and hold a media availability at Mile Marker 41. Interior Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland will accompany the Secretary.

Who: Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Governor Charlie Crist, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Interior Assistant Secretary Tom Strickland

What: Visit to Florida Everglades Alligator Bay and media availability.

When: Thursday, May 28 2009; airboat tour starts at 10 a.m.; media availability at 12 Noon.

Where: Everglades Alligator Alley (I-75) Mile Marker 41.

Media: Credentialed media are invited to join the media availability at 12:00 Noon. Media wishing to participate are asked to contact Sen. Nelson’s office at 202-224-1679 to register for the media availability

New E-Mail from USARK:
HR2811 (House version of S373) Sponsored by Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL), will go to Mark-up (amendment) in a subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday the 28th, and then to the full committee on Wednesday the 29th. This bill has been called the Python BAN. If passed as written, it will BAN the IMPORT, EXPORT and INTERSTATE TRANSPORT of the entire genus python. Once it passes Mark-up it will go to a vote on the floor of the full House of Representatives. Anyone who doesn't believe that this is an immediate threat to the entire Reptile Community has their head in the sand. If the Reptile Nation does not wake up and take massive and decisive action right now we could lose ALL pythons.

USARK has worked hard and spent a lot of money to make sure the Reptile Nation has the best information available regarding the fate of our community. We make our positions clear and operate with complete transparency. We have no conflicts of interest. Our only allegiance is to the Reptile Nation. We are asking you to TAKE ACTION NOW to save this industry. No one else can do this for us. We hold our fate in our own hands. That is why we created USARK, to take control of our own destiny.

We have the best lobbyists, contacts and strategy to address the situation. This is not the time to panic or get angry. It is time for calm deliberate action. We need to engage in a massive phone and fax campaign on Monday the 27th. Get everyone you know to call. Spread the word to every forum and social networking site you frequent.

Phone & Fax Campaign: Monday July 27 (call & fax ALL Congressman at ALL numbers)

Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL),

Washington DC: phone 202-225-4506; fax 202-226-0777

Miami: phone 305-690-5905; fax 305-690-5951

Congressman Tom Rooney (R-FL)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-5792; fax 202-225-3132

Punta Gorda: phone 941-575-9101; fax 941-575-9103

Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-3001; fax 202-225-5974

Boca Raton: phone 561-988-6302; fax 561-988-6423

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-7931; fax 202-226-2052

Pembroke Pines: phone 954-437-3936; fax 954-437-4776

SCRIPT: My name is...... I want to register a NO on HR2811. If passed as written this bill will destroy thousands of Florida voters, their families and small businesses. There is not a shred of scientific evidence to support banning all of the different species in the genus python. Please amend the bill to address only the IMPORT of the Burmese Python. Thank you for your consideration.

Click here to donate $10 with dollar for dollar matching from Zoo Med

http://usark.org/donate.php



THIS MUST BE BIG!!! SPREAD THE WORD FOR MONDAY July 27th 2009!!!!!!