Ralph Hall: “I rise in support of H.R. 3514, the Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance, and Protection Act. I am one of over 140…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 3514, the Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance, and Protection Act. I am one of over 140 of the gentleman's cosponsors. The author has done a great job of gaining and garnering support and ushering it through. This directs HHS to establish and maintain a sanctuary system for the lifetime care of chimpanzees that have been used, bred for, or purchased for research conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration or other agencies in the Federal Government. Although many of these surplus chimpanzees have hepatitis and HIV infections and are a danger to uninfected animals as well as their caretakers, H.R. 3514 provides, I think, the highest level of veterinary expertise for these retired animals. It establishes sanctuaries and does a lot of other things. But basically, it provides chimpanzees with housing and a protected environment that is sensitive to their social needs along with the long-term health care and all needed medications. It is the right thing to do. It is also an excellent animal model for future health care legislation for all American citizens. While I rise in support of this bill today, I also look forward to working on more equitable public health policies for our Nation's citizens in the 107th Congress. I salute and support the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Greenwood). He has done a good job with this. It is a humane bill.”