There is going to be a congressional hearing which will include HR 669 by the subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife on April 23rd. Our best bet to maintain our right to keep and breed reptiles (other Exotic animals as well) for fun, research, and profit will be to get this bill killed in committee before it has a chance to go any further. I am adding a list of representatives who are on the committee for everyone to send letters to. Now is the time to act before it is too late.

If you send a letter keep it brief and respectful. They are not going to care about how much we love our snakes so focus on the financial aspect in this economy. If you Google the representatives you can find their e-mail addresses.

Members of the
Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife
1337 Longworth House Office Building (Insular Affairs)
(202) 225-0691 Fax: (202) 225-0521

187 Ford House Office Building (Oceans and Wildlife)
(202) 226-0200 Fax: (202) 225-1542

Mrs. Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Guam, Chairwoman
Mr. Henry E. Brown, Jr., South Carolina, Ranking Republican Member

Dale E. Kildee, Michigan
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, American Samoa
Neil Abercrombie, Hawaii
Frank Pallone, Jr., New Jersey
Gregorio "Kilili" Sablan, Mariana Islands
Donna M. Christensen, Virgin Islands
Diana DeGette, Colorado
Ron Kind, Wisconsin
Lois Capps, California
Carol Shea-Porter, New Hampshire
Frank Kratovil, Jr., Maryland
Pedro R. Pierluisi, Puerto Rico
Nick J. Rahall, II, West Virginia (ex officio) Don Young, Alaska
Jeff Flake, Arizona
Doug Lamborn, Colorado
Robert J. Wittman, Virginia
John Fleming, Louisiana
Jason Chaffetz, Utah
Bill Cassidy, Louisiana
Doc Hastings, Washington, ex officio

It probably wouldn't hurt to leave a few respectful messages with the numbers listed. Every little bite counts.

I can tell you that as of right now, this was planned for April 23rd, because Marshall was scheduled to speak in Switzerland at CITES at the same time. It was no accident that it was scheduled when he would be out of country.

He has now cancelled that speaking engagement, but this hearing is by invitation only, and he has not received one yet. Last year he tore last year's version apart at the hearing, line by line and left it a shambles. They do NOT want him to speak. The Republicans (except for 1 and I'm not sure which one yet) are against this bill, but the Democrats are for it. The Republicans are trying to get an invitation for Marshall, but it may be difficult.

I got off the phone this evening with Adam, and he's writing some code for Pijac, that will mass send out a form letter (authored by Pijac) to ALL the important senators/congressmen that we need to reach, and we need to flood them with it! They hope to have that up by Monday. Brian is doing a 2 minute video about this and how to get involved, it also is targeted for Monday release (if not sooner).

HSUS has a form up on their site SUPPORTING the bill, we MUST all unite, put our differences aside, and work together - at least until April 23rd, and maybe longer.

This has the entire reptile industry buzzing today, and phone lines burning up all day.

I urge each of you to watch for both the link to the Pijac form letter and the video from Brian on how you can help. If ever there was a time to act, it's now. I myself am guilty of not fully believing this would go anywhere. Now, I'm extremely concerned!

We need to get all reptile forums to get the word out just how serious this is, and get everyone to get their memberships to partipate in speaking out against this bill!

I will be getting more updates tomorrow from Adam and Brian and will update any pertinent information.