ALABAMA VOTERS/RESIDENTS ONLY PLEASE, FOR MORE IMPACT TO LEGISLATORS:

Alabama’s current penalty for cockfighting is the weakest in the nation, a maximum $50 dollar fine. HB74 makes it a class A misdemeanor on first offense, a Class C felony on second offense, charges spectators and makes it a crime to allow a minor child to attend a cockfight. Cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states, is a felony in 39.

April 6, 2011, HB 74, a bill to strengthen the penalties for cockfighting, was to be heard on the House Floor, third on the agenda. The bill passed House Committee and came out of rules earlier this week. Despite the results of a 2009 poll of Alabama voters, conducted by Mason-Dixon polling company, revealing that 82% of voters polled favored stronger penalties and believed cockfighting is cruel and inhumane and despite the overwhelming condemnation of this cruel blood sport, the opposition is determined to force the death of this bill. 

And who is the opposition? -Those who specifically breed fighting birds under the guise of assisting consumers and Agriculture, those who market fighting birds from coast to coast and across the globe, those who collect untold amounts of cash from spectators and entry fees from handlers/owners, (untaxed currency), and those who routinely expose children to the depravity and violence associated in viewing trained birds slice one another to pieces.(The bird's feet are transformed into lethal weapons by attaching razor- sharp instruments.)  

The AGBA, Alabama Gamefowl  Breeder’s Association has hired a lobbyist, Greg Jones, for 3 years running ,to oppose this legislation.Their spokesperson, D’Renda Lewis posted this today on gamerooster.com. Pay particular attention to the plan of action:

 "Damn it guys we dodged a freakin bullet today! When there is bill going to the floor be in the Gallery! Don't take for granted we'll be able to dodge the next bullit. We came close today boys. Now here is the new plan of action:
1. Begin going to see your represenative in your district. Do this in your district not at the statehouse. Visit in person, take a small token of appreciation to them, a box of candy, small bouqet of flowers, you get my drift, a small token. Visit in person.

2. Begin making contact with your Senator because we still have SB299 out there.

3. Begin making contact with the Senate Judiciary Committee. I will post numbers later.

4. If HB74 rears it's ugly head again be prepared to do what it takes to deal with it. That is why we need personal contact between you and your represenative!

5. Last but not least get your checkbook out and mail in your dues, no excuses and make another check out for a donation to ALGBA because your hobby just got a lot more expensive."

In addition to the AGBA sending out action alerts to kill the bill, the world’s best known cockfighting website, Sabong, has a legislative action alert for Alabama, http://www.sabong.net.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=52602 !.  UNDERSTAND - the opposition action alert extends to the Philippines

Thirty-Two representatives asked the Speaker of the House to keep the bill from being heard. They are convinced that their districts are full of cockfighters who oppose the bill. Last year, cockfighters in Georgia, where the penalty is much stronger, called our statehouse to kill the bill. An organized group of people, who by their own admission, are breaking the law, are successfully lobbying OUR legislature to keep the penalties low so they can afford to continue to break the law. This is not a few guys behind the barn on a Sunday watching a few birds fight. This is a large scale, organized group, attracting cockfighters from states where it is a felony , to our beautiful Alabama, to commit a crime. Is this really how the rest of the world views Alabama?

It’s up to decent citizens to let our politicians know that we expect humane legislation.It is critical that you send emails to the 32 legislators who stopped this bill from being heard. Contact info. can be found at: http://www.legislature.state.al.us/house/representatives/houseroster_alpha.html or BELOW:

Note: These Representatives did not want the Cockfighting Bill to be heard in the House on Thursday, April 7, when it was scheduled to be heard in committee. We do not assume all the reps below are PRO-cockfighting, some have argued they don’t know what to do and/or they have heard from many people in their districts who ARE in favor of cockfighting. Contact these representatives, explain that 82% of Alabamians DO NOT WANT cockfighting and insist on the passage of HB 74 to increase cockfighting penalties. It is best to be respectful, but firm. Those with an alehouse.gov email address may not be likely to check their accounts, so calls may be best for those.

Micky Hammon     info@mocold.com Limestone and Morgan Counties CALL 256-260-2146                      

Dan Williams   dan.williams@alhouse.gov Limestone County CALL home: 256-232-8993 cell: 256-777-6700  

Ed Henry         ed.henry@alhouse.gov Cullman and Morgan Counties, CALL 256-260-2146                              

Ken Johnson         kenjohnsonrep@gmail.com                Lawrence &Winston Counties CALL 256-974-5468 , 256-974-5175

Jeremy Oden   info@mocold.com​, Jeremy.oden@alhouse.gov Blount, Cullman, & Morgan Counties CALL 256-734-2146, 256-734-4236                                

Mac Buttram        mbuttram@att.net                             Cullman County CALL 256-297-2286

Bill Roberts          broberts1229@cs.com                       Walker County CALL 205-388-7679

Richard Baughn    rgbups@yahoo.com                           Tuscaloosa, Walker, & Winston Counties CALL 205-893-5815

Daniel Boman       daniel_boman@thebomanfirm.com      Fayette, Lamar, &Tuscaloosa CALL 205-999-2904, 205-698-1114

Mike Millican        mike.millican@alhouse.gov                 Marion & Winston Counties CALL 205-921-3214

Jim Patterson       jimpattersonhd21@gmail.com             Madison County CALL 256-975-7990 (Patterson is PRO-cockfighting)

Todd Greeson       todd.greeson@alhouse.gov DeKalb County CALL: 256-761-1935                          

Kerry Rich            kerryrich@bellsouth.net                     DeKalb & Marshall Counties CALL 256-582-0619, 256-293-8485

Wes Long            weslong@mclo.org                            Marshall County CALL 256-582-2840,256-582-2940, 256-582-0619

Steve Hurst           steve.hurst@alhouse.gov Calhoun and Talladega Counties CALL 256-761-1935                        

John Merrill           john@tuscaloosagop.org                    Tuscaloosa County CALL 205-349-2020

Harry Shiver         harryshiver@aol.com                          Baldwin, Conecuh, Escambia, & Monroe Counties CALL 251-937-0240

Alan Baker           staterep@co.escambia.al.us               Baldwin & Escambia Counties CALL

Lesley Vance   Lesley.vance@alhouse.gov Lee & Russell Counties CALL 334-298-4948 and: 334-298-0668  

Mark Tuggle         tughd81@gmail.com                            Lee & Tallapoosa Counties CALL 334-298-4948 and 334-298-0668

Paul Lee              pwlee@graceba.net                             Houston County CALL 256-329-3352, 256-392-2006

Steve Clouse     steve.clouse@alhouse.gov Dale & Houston Counties CALL: 334-774-7384 and: 334-774-9122  

Randy Davis         rmdavis14@aol.com                             Baldwin & Mobile CALL 251-621-0814, 251-990-4618, 251-709-5619

Joe Faust            jfaust@co.baldwin.al.us                         Baldwin County CALL 251-928-5445, 251-990-4615

Steve McMillian    bcld07@gmail.com                              Baldwin County CALL 251-948-5575

Mike Jones          mljatty@andycable.com                       Covington & Escambia Counties CALL 334-804-8240, 334-222-4367

Barry Moore        barry@barrymooreindustries.com           Coffee County CALL 334-389-1021, 334-348-2402

Alan Boothe         alan.boothe@alhouse.gov Dale & Pike Counties CALL 334-242-7710

Paul Beckman      paulbeckmanjr@yahoo.com                  Autauga & Elmore Counties CALL 334-300-1780, 334-361-0977

Donnie Cheesteen dchesteen@panhandle.rr.com               Geneva & Houston  Counties CALL 334-449-1040, 334-684-2196

Duwayne Bridges duwayne.bridges@alhouse.gov Chambers & Lee Counties CALL 334-756-9553,  334-756-6373

KL Brown             klbrown@cableone.net                           Calhoun County Call 256-453-0384, 256-435-9437

Note: Representative Jim Barton was courageous enough to sponsor HB74, and you should take time to thank him.  E mail  jbarton104@gmail.com 

 

Sample email/letter below:

Dear Representative ____________,

As a resident and voter in Alabama, I find it incomprehensible that an elected representative would oppose a bill that would strengthen penalities for the illegal blood sport of cockfighting. Alabama’s current penalty for cockfighting is the weakest in the nation, a maximum $50 dollar fine. HB74 makes it a class A misdemeanor on first offense, a Class C felony on second offence, charges spectators and makes it a crime to allow a minor child to attend a cockfight. Cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states, is a felony in 39.

On April 6, 2011, HB 74, a bill to strengthen the penalties for cockfighting, was to be heard on the House Floor, third on the agenda. The bill passed House Committee and came out of rules earlier this week. Unfortunately, to my understanding, the bill has been stymied due to opposition, made up of profiteers, exploitors, unscrupulous breeders of fighting birds and criminals. 

I am very much in favor of this bill, and am interested to learn of your intent and support on it's passage. I trust you will keep in mind that a 2009 poll of Alabama voters, conducted by Mason-Dixon polling company, revealed that 82% of voters polled favored stronger penalties and believed cockfighting is cruel and inhumane. 

 I look forward to your immediate reply.

Sincerely, Your Name and Address