In Defense of Animals Oregon Primate Center Action Alert!
Sorry for the short notice everyone but the monkeys really need your help!
Please write your state senators to oppose Senate Bill 832—OHSU's attempt to use more than 200 million of OUR tobacco settlement money to expand their animal research!
Laurie Lown and Matt Rossell will be in Salem on April 2 and 3, Monday and Tuesday, to lobby against the expansion and SB 832.
We have provided talking points and a sample letter below. Please take a few moments to let your voice be heard. The e-mail, snail-mail and phone numbers of our State Senators are included, along with the phone number for your County Elections Board if you need to find out who represents you.
Thanks for a swift and loud response! Letters to the Oregonian would be helpful. If you live outside of Oregon please write letters to the editor of your local newspapers opposing the expansion of primate research around the country.
Peace and Action,
Leslie & Matt
Sample Letter for SB 832
Dear Representative/Senator ______________________,
I am writing in opposition to Senate Bill 832 in which OHSU is requesting "an amount not less than 200 million dollars" from the tobacco settlement in order to "capitalize on biotechnology opportunities."
The people of Oregon have already spoken a resounding NO to OHSU's attempt to get their hands on tobacco settlement money. In November 2000's election, Ballot Measure 89 was defeated by 57 percent. The measure was OHSU’s attempt to take seven percent, or 10 million dollars to initiate OHSU’s Medical Research Partnership. If the voting public have already rejected giving OHSU 10 million dollars, why would they approve giving them 200 million? Giving OHSU this money despite the will of the people would be undemocratic and underhanded.
OHSU conducts studies that are egregiously cruel, scientifically redundant, and sometimes completely ludicrous. With the Oregon Health Plan in financial trouble and so many Oregonians living without healthcare, the legislature should be allocating funds for human health care, NOT for OHSU’s meaningless animal studies and basic research, e.g., injecting pregnant monkeys with nicotine, measuring the urine output of a rhesus macaque, or maternal deprivation and other absurd behavioral studies.
Also disturbing is the recent exposure of OHSU’s reprehensible animal care at their Primate Center. The March 21st issue of the newsweekly Willamette Week uncovered a report by Carol Shively, a primate researcher OHSU hired to review their programs. Her report the called for an end to the electro-ejaculation procedure and criticized the lack of social housing.
Recently, the USDA also chastised OHSU for housing more than 1,200 monkeys alone, for failing to give them fruit, for electro-ejaculating them, and for the stressful procedure used to round up monkeys from outdoor corrals.
OHSU needs to prove they are fiscally responsible with the monies currently allocated. Putting animal care and adequate staffing at the bottom of the list does NOT demonstrate an ability to set priorities that deserves to be rewarded with yet more money.
As a tax-paying citizen, I insist that OHSU be audited for financial waste and scientific fraud. The Oregon Primate Center refuses to discuss the validity of their science in a public debate and yet have been spending millions in tax dollars for nearly 40 years. Until they can prove to the public those monies are advancing human health, I am opposed to any expansion of their animal research.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Monday, April 2nd, the State Senate Revenue Committee will hold the second hearing on Senate Bill 832, the "Oregon Opportunity Program"— Oregon Health Sciences University's request for "an amount not less than $200,000,000" from the tobacco settlement in order to "capitalize on biotechnology opportunities."
According to the text of the bill "Biotechnology is likely to be the next great economic engine in the United States, and the state should take positive action to ensure Oregon's participation in this emerging and important industry."
Economic growth cannot come at the expense of animals in research and human health!
The bill makes it clear that this a general money grab by OHSU to continue their research on cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. They also want to use the money to make "capital improvements" and expand their facilities.
NOWHERE in the bill do they even pretend to be using the money to help people stop smoking or even to continue their useless and redundant nicotine research on rhesus macaques.
We cannot allow ourselves to be deprived of the money WE won from big tobacco. Ballot measure 89—OHSU's attempt to grab seven percent or $10 million of this settlement— was rejected by Oregonians by 57 percent. Now they want $200 million!! We should be allowed to decide what should be done with OUR money. Please contact the members of the Oregon Senate and tell them what YOU think should and shouldn't be done with the money.
Oregon Health Sciences University has proven to be incapable of caring for the animals currently incarcerated there. They should not be allowed to expand!!! OHSU does a wonderful job of providing health care services for poor people, but their flagrant violations of the Animal Welfare Act indicate that they need to get out of the business of animal research.
For the full text of Senate Bill 832, go to www.leg.state.or.us/bills
Know your Oregon State Senators and Representatives
Call your County Election Office to find out who they are.
The Senators' contact info is listed below.
County Election Offices
Baker County 541-523-8207
Benton County 541-766-6756
Clackamas County 503-655-8510
Clatsop County 503-325-8511
Columbia County 503-397-7214 Ext: 8444
Coos County 541-396-3121 Ext: 301
Crook County 541-447-6553
Curry County 541-247-7011 Ext: 223
Deschutes County 541-388-6546
Douglas County 541-440-4252
Gillam County 541-384-2311
Grant County 541-575-1675
Harney County 541-573-6641
Hood River County 541-386-1442
Jackson County 541-774-6148
Jefferson County 541-475-4451
Josephine County 541-475-5243
Klamath County 541-883-5134 800-377-6094
Lake County 541-947-6006
Lane County 541-682-4234
Lincoln County 541-265-4131 Ext: 2348
Linn County 541-967-3831 Ext: 2121
Malheur County 541-473-5151
Marion County 503-588-5041
Morrow County 541-676-9061
Multnomah County 503-988-3720
Polk County 503-623-9217
Sherman County 541-565-3606
Tillamook County 503-842-3402 Ext: 819
Umatilla County 541-278-6256
Union County 541-963-1006
Wallowa County 541-426-4543 Ext: 15
Wasco County 541-296-6159
Washington County 503-846-8670
Wheeler County 541-763-2026
Yamhill County 503-434-7518
State Senators
Brady Adams
OR State Senator, Senate District 25
S-203 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1600
OR Fax: (503) 986-1004
Email: brady.adams@state.or.us
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/senpres/
Lee Beyer
OR State Senator, Senate District 21
S-306 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1721
OR Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: beyer.l.sen@state.or.us
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/beyerl/
Kate Brown
OR State Senator, Senate District 7
S-323 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1700
OR Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: brown.sen@state.or.us
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/brown/
Neil Bryant
OR State Senator, Senate District 27
S-206 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1727
OR Fax: (503) 986-1958
Email: nmbryant@empnet.com
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/bryant/
Ginny Burdick
OR State Senator, Senate District 6
S-309 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1706
OR Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: senburdick@aol.com
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/burdick/
Susan Castillo
OR State Senator, Senate District 20
S-316 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1720
OR Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: castillo.sen@state.or.us
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/castillo/
Tony Corcoran
OR State Senator, Senate District 22
S-314 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1722
OR Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: tonycorcoran@compuserve.com
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/corcoran/
Peter Courtney
OR State Senator, Senate District 17
S-310 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1717
OR Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: courtnp@wou.edu
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/courtney/
Gene Derfler
OR State Senator, Senate District 16
S-223 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1950
OR Fax: (503) 986-1958
Email: senate.republican@state.or.us
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/derfler/
Joan Dukes
OR State Senator, Senate District 1
S-318 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1701
OR Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: dukes.sen@state.or.us
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/dukes/
Verne Duncan
OR State Senator, Senate District 12
S-317 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1712
OR Fax: (503) 986-1007
Email: duncan.sen@state.or.us>
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/duncan/
Ted Ferrioli
OR State Senator, Senate District 28
S-216 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1728
OR Fax: (503) 986-1987
Email: ferrioli.sen@state.or.us
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/ferrioli/
Bill Fisher
OR State Senator, Senate District 23
S-209 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1723
OR Fax: (503) 986-1984
Email: billfisher@mcsi.net
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/fisher/
Gary George
OR State Senator, Senate District 2
S-215 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1702
OR Fax: (503) 986-1167
Email: george.sen@state.or.us
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/george/
Avel Gordly
OR State Senator, Senate District 10
S-302 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1710
OR Fax: (503) 986-1089
Email: avgordly@orednet.org
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/gordly/
Lenn Hannon
OR State Senator, Senate District 26
S-303 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1726
OR Fax: (503) 986-1007
Email: hannon.sen@state.or.us
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/hannon/
Tom Hartung
OR State Senator, Senate District 3
S-212 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1703
OR Fax: (503) 986-1958
Email: tom.hartung@cwix.com
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/hartung/
John Lim
OR State Senator, Senate District 11
S-205 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1711
OR Fax: (503) 986-1176
Email: senatorjohnlim@aol.com
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/lim/
Rick Metsger
OR State Senator, Senate District 14
S-301 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1714
OR Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: senmetsger@aol.com
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/metsger/
Randy Miller
OR State Senator, Senate District 13
S-211 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1713
OR Fax: (503) 986-1983
Email: rm13@teleport.com
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/miller/
David Nelson
OR State Senator, Senate District 29
S-217 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1729
OR Fax: (503) 986-1929
Email: sennelson@oregontrail.net
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/nelson/
Eileen Qutub
OR State Senator, Senate District 4
S-210 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1704
OR Fax: (503) 986-1987
Email: qutub.sen@state.or.us
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/qutub/
Marylin Shannon
OR State Senator, Senate District 15
S-218 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1715
OR Fax: (503) 986-1011
Email: shannon.sen@state.or.us
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/shannon/
Frank Shields
OR State Senator, Senate District 9
S-305 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1709
OR Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: shields.sen@state.or.us
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/shields/
Charles Starr
OR State Senator, Senate District 5
S-312 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1705
OR Fax: (503) 986-1007
Email: cstarr@teleport.com
URL: www.teleport.com/cstarr/
Veral Tarno
OR State Senator, Senate District 24
S-214 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1724
OR Fax: (503) 986-1158
Email: tarno.sen@state.or.us
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/tarno/
Gene Timms
OR State Senator, Senate District 30
S-219 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1730
OR Fax: (503) 986-1977
Email: timms.sen@state.or.us
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/timms/
Cliff Trow
OR State Senator, Senate District 18
S-319 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1718
OR Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: trow.sen@state.or.us
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/trow/
Thomas Wilde
OR State Senator, Senate District 8
S-311 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1708
OR Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: twilde@concentric.net
URL: www.leg.state.or.us/wilde/
Mae Yih
OR State Senator, Senate District 19
S-307 State Capitol
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 973100629
OR Voice: (503) 986-1187
OR Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: maeyih@proaxis.com
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