The Great Ape Protection Act Starts the New Year Strong

The Great Ape Protection Act (GAPA) http://www.releasechimps.org/mission/change-laws/the-great-ape-protection-act/ has reached a total of 141 http://www.releasechimps.org/mission/change-laws/the-great-ape-protection-act/

Representatives signed on to the bill! With Congress reconvening, we could expect a hearing on the bill – currently in the House Energy and Commerce Health http://my.neavs.org/site/DocServer/2009_Energy_and_Commerce_Committee_Members.pdf?docID=203 subcommittee – at any time.

2010: What's Next
As the Fall of 2010 is an election year, it is important that we keep up the momentum. Some of us will see our Congressional seats change hands. That will mean more work to get any newly elected Representatives signed on to the bill. We will be sending out an Alert after the Fall elections to let you know if the status of your Rep has changed and what you can do to help keep GAPA’s numbers strong.


Meanwhile, there is still lots to do.

House: Please make sure your Representative http://my.neavs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=FindElectedOfficials is signed on as a cosponsor, or thank them if they already are on board (click here to view a current list of cosponsors): http://my.neavs.org/site/DocServer/great_ape_cosponsors_01.13.10.pdf?docID=205
to view a current list of cosponsors). Further, reach out to family and friends, educate them, and ask them to contact their federal Representatives as well.

Senate: We are working hard to find leadership to sponsor a Senate version of the bill. Please contact your Senator http://my.neavs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=FindElectedOfficials
and ask them if they will sponsor a Senate version of GAPA – which is going strong in the House. Further, reach out to family and friends, educate them, and ask them to contact their federal Senator as well.

Thank you for reaching out to your Senator and asking them to take the lead.

The Great Ape Protection Act

Prohibits:

> Invasive research on great apes
> Federal funding of such research both within
and outside of the U.S.
> Transport of great apes for such research
> Federal breeding of great apes for such research

Requires:

> Permanent retirement of all federally-owned
great apes.