February 16, 2005
We need everyone possible to call and write the Tennessee House Agriculture Committee Members giving their support for the new Raw Milk bill and giving testimonies about it. Their names and contact info are listed below.
The bill, HB 1623, is being introduced by Representative Glen Casada and co-sponsored by Senator Jim Bryson.
If people could ask for the support of the representatives for the bill and tell them why, and then also ask for a response of Yes or No, that would be ideal. We need to know how the members are going to vote and see how much more support we need to rally.
It does not matter if you are not from Tennessee, as they just need to hear the support that is out there. There seems to be huge momentum growing all over the country, from Nebraska and Colorado, to Virginia and here in Tennessee. We would like to take advantage of that. A sample letter is provided below.
Thanks!
Shawn Dady
Chapter Leader
Brentwood, TN
shawn (at) sunsetblvdstudios.com
SAMPLE LETTER:
Dear Honorable Representative __________,
I am writing to you today to ask you to support the HB1623 introduced by Representative Glen Casada and Senator Jim Bryson regarding legalization of the sale of fresh, unprocessed, unpasteurized milk. This is about freedom of choice.
I support this bill for the following reasons:
1.) Because it requires regular testing for pathogens, this bill ensures the sale of clean and safe raw milk. The milking and cooling methods also ensure safety for consumers as well as fairness to small farmers and artisans.
2.) The bill also keeps raw milk bacteria counts lower than the standard for pasteurized milk! This is really saying something about the safety of raw milk.
3.) It allows us as consumers to view and keep track of our raw milk farm’s test results, since the results are kept for us to see at the farm.
4.) It allows for the farm to deliver milk, which helps with handicapped or other such individuals who are not able to make a journey to a farm to pick up milk.
5.) It allows for the farmer to freely advertise his healthy product and grow larger with free market demands.
6.) It is very fair to farmers, because in the event of any pathogen being found in fresh milk, just as in any other food, it requires that this charge be medically verified and traced unequivocally back to that farm’s milk, and then it allows the farmer the fair chance to correct the problem and continue in his healthful business, just as other food businesses are allowed to.
7.) It allows us the freedom of choice in the issue of our food. After all, we can buy raw meat at the store, as well as raw oysters and sushi. In addition, we can buy cigarettes and alcohol! This is our free choice! Why not fresh, unprocessed, unadulterated milk? It should be our decision, not the state’s.
8.) This bill has the potential to absolutely revive our small farming industry. It has the potential to make it vibrant once again.
For all these reasons, Representative, I would like to ask you to vote in favor of HB1623 as proposed by Representative Glen Casada and co-sponsored by Senator Jim Bryson. So many people have been made better from a multitude of sicknesses with fresh milk. Why can’t we all? Please do not listen to the scare tactics! There is just too much information to the contrary, showing the raw milk is a healthful and life-giving food, that we should have the choice to buy or not to buy. I ask that you respond to me as to whether or not you are planning to support this wonderful bill about freedom of choice?
Thank you,
Your name
Address
Telephone Number
Agriculture Committee Members:
Rep. Gene Davidson
23 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0166
Phone (615) 741-3979
rep.eugene.davidson (at) legislature.state.tn.us
Rep. Stratton Bone
23 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0146
Phone (615) 741-7086
Fax (615) 741-2405
rep.stratton.bone (at) legislature.state.tn.us
Rep. Willie Borchert
23 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0175
Phone (615) 741-6804
Fax (615) 253-0264
rep.willie.borchert (at) legislature.state.tn.us
Rep. William Baird
202 War Memorial Bldg.
Nashville, TN 37243-0136
Phone (615) 741-3335
Fax (615) 532-8221
rep.william.baird (at) legislature.state.tn.us
Rep. Chris Clem
207 War Memorial Building
Nashville, TN 37243-0127
Phone (615) 741-2746
Fax (615) 253-0304
rep.chris.clem (at) legislature.state.tn.us
Rep. Chris Crider
106 War Memorial Bldg.
Nashville, TN 37243-0179
Phone (615) 741-7478
rep.chris.crider (at) legislature.state.tn.us
Rep. Bill Dunn
205 War Memorial Building
Nashville, TN 37243-0116
Phone (615) 741-1721
Fax (615) 532-8221
Staff Contact: Ruth Patterson,CPS
rep.bill.dunn (at) legislature.state.tn.us
Rep. Dolores Gresham
106 War Memorial Building
Nashville, TN 37243-0194
Phone (615) 741-6890
rep.dolores.gresham (at) legislature.state.tn.us
Rep. John Litz
20 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0110
Phone (615) 741-6877
Fax (615) 741-7535
rep.john.litz (at) legislature.state.tn.us
Rep. Steve McDaniel
115 War Memorial Building
Nashville, TN 37243-0172
Phone (615) 741-0750
Fax (615) 253-0214
rep.steve.mcdaniel (at) legislature.state.tn.us
Rep. Frank Niceley
209 War Memorial Building
Nashville, TN 37243-0117
Phone (615) 741-2282
rep.frank.niceley (at) legislature.state.tn.us
Rep. Jack Sharp
107 War Memorial Building
Nashville, TN 37243-0130
Phone (615)741-1934
Fax(615)253-0271
rep.jack.sharp@legislature.state.tn.us
Rep. Johnny Shaw
33 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0180
Phone (615) 741-4538
Fax (615) 532-8221
rep.johnny.shaw@legislature.state.tn.us
Rep. Eric Swafford
201 War Memorial Building
Nashville, TN 37243-0125
Phone (615) 741-7645
Fax (615) 253-0208
rep.eric.swafford@legislature.state.tn.us
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