SHARK Goes After NHSRA

The following was posted on RodeoBoards.com, our message boards:ARA Wackos pick on NHSRA... Write Ms. Madison a NICE note letting her know about your disappointment in Choice Hotels' decision. NHSRA is our future, and we need to help them. This stuff looks like it is directly off the BIG MEAN FISH's website: ****************** Look here for the latest updates in SHARK's campaign to end rodeo abuse in Illinois
April 23, 2007: Join us in celebrating another great step in our battle against rodeo animal abuse. Below is a copy of the press release that went out to the media today. The repercussions of this story will be felt throughout the rodeo world
High School Rodeo Loses National Sponsor
Rules Violations, Animal Abuse Results in Early Termination of Contract
Choice Hotels, one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisers in the world, has terminated its sponsorship, scheduled to run until 2009, of the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA). The early termination follows a review of video documentation supplied by SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK). Choice Hotels includes well-known brands such as Clarion, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Econolodge, Rodeway, Cambria Suites, Mainstay Suites, and Suburban Extended Stay Hotel.
The following is a statement from SHARK president, Steve Hindi:
"We supplied Choice with video documentation of what happened at the 2006 National High School Finals Rodeo in Springfield, Illinois. The company did not rush to judgement, but instead conducted a very thorough investigation. SHARK congratulates Choice Hotels for its sense of corporate ethics, and for doing the right thing. Violations of Illinois State Law, violations of even the rodeo association's own rules, and animal abuse have cost the National High School Rodeo Association its most prestigious sponsor.
We hope that other sponsors, especially local sponsors such as the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau and the State Journal-Register newspaper, will follow the lead of Choice Hotels, and will carefully weigh the impact that sponsoring animal cruelty will have on their image both now and in the future."
The Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office is investigating pressing animal cruelty charges against the rodeo.
Please let Choice Hotels know that you support the company's responsible and compassionate decision by emailing Anne Madison, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Choice Hotels at: Anne_Madison@choicehotels.com
SHARK - PO Box 28 - Geneva IL 60134
630-557-0176 (voice) - 630-557-0178 (fax)
www.sharkonline.org Cindy's Response: Ms. Madison, It is with deep regret that I have read your decision to drop your sponsorship of one of the greatest youth associations in North America. That an organization that teaches love and respect for all living creatures in a time when school shootings and youth gangs draw the headlines has been pinpointed by animal rights fanatics is one of the saddest issues in America today. Years ago there were people who believed that we needed to take prayer out of schools and look at the results. These people have no true understanding of the animals they would have the world believe they are trying to protect nor any idea as to what will happen to these animals if they do succeed in their agenda. This is a very serious issue and I believe those who love rodeo need to give it more credibility. We can not pretend that what these people are doing will go away if we ignore them. We must be pro-active in our protection of our sport and our lifestyle or we will see a bunch of ill informed people create more problems alone with unbelievable negative impact on the American economy. As I said before, I believe this should be compared directly to those who wanted prayer out of public schools and now we have so many problems in our schools we are at a loss for what to do. Rodeo is not just a sport but a place where children learn to love and respect animals as their fellow athletes in a sport that focuses on family values. There are strict rules to protect the animals and those that do not follow the rules are fined and punished. All living creatures have the right to exist and no creature has ever existed without having a purpose. If these fanatics win we will eliminate livestock as we know it. In short they will become rare or extinct. I believe if I were an animal I think I would consider them my enemy not my savior. Regarding animals Rodeo Attitude's position is, "Animal's Right To Work-Freedom From Extinction!" We regret as one of the top directories on the Internet today we will no longer encourage the use of any of your hotels for the rodeo, equine, or Western lifestyle industries. We deeply regret that you have chosen to listen to the minority and ignore one of the largest industries in America.

 

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