A humane slaughter bill that had come under heavy fire from Jewish organizations in the State was withdrawn by its sponsor in the New York Legislature yesterday. Another bill, which remains on the legislative calendar, has been called unobjectionable by Orthodox, Conservative and Reform rabbinic associations, national congregational bodies of Conservatism and Reform, and major Jewish civic organizations.
The measure that was withdrawn was the so-called Hausbeck bill, sponsored by Assemblymen Albert J. Hausbeck of Buffalo and backed publicly by the Friends of Animals, Inc. The still pending bill is known by the name of its chief sponsor, Senator Kenneth R.Willard of Ilunda, who represents Genessee, Livingston and Monroe Counties. That bill has the backing of the New York State Humane Association, which includes most of the humane societies in the state.
Mr. Hausbeck announced withdrawal of his bill on the Assembly floor the same day that every member of the Legislature received individual letters signed jointly by the presidents of rabbinic, and Jewish congregational and civic organizations, stating they were “unalterably opposed” to the Hausbeck bill but had “no objection whatsoever” to the Will lard Bill.
The signatories were: Union of American Hebrew Congregations; Jewish Labor Committee; Rabbinical Council of America; American Jewish Congress; United Synagogue of America; Rabbinical Assembly; Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith; Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A.; Central Conference of American Rabbis; and National Council of Jewish Women.
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