In addition to the many emails, letters, and phone calls individuals all over the state have made for the Alamogordo Primate Facility chimpanzees, our highest elected official, Governor Bill Richardson, announced his full support for the 202 chimpanzees facing a return to research. Click here to see the Governor’s statement.
Have we gained safety for these chimpanzees? Not yet. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has said their decision to move the chimps into research is final and we must continue to convince policy-makers that a change in course is mandatory. Please remember, NIH is funded with our taxpayer dollars, and Congress allocates their budget.
1. Thank Governor Richardson
For those of you on facebook, please friend Governor Richardson and thank him for his advocacy for chimpanzees.
2. Contact your US Senators and Representative
For individuals not living in New Mexico, please use contactingthecongress.org to reach your elected officials. For New Mexicans:
Call both:
Senator Bingaman (202) 224-5521
Senator Udall (202) 224-6621
Call one:
Rep. Ben Ray Luján (Northern NM) (202) 225-6190 Rep. Martin Heinrich (Central NM) (202) 225-6316 Rep. Harry Teague (Southern NM) (202) 225-2365
Please make these polite, quick points when speaking to staff in congressional offices:
Thank them for working for New Mexico’s interests in Washington.
Ask them to HALT ALL TRANSFERS OF CHIMPANZEES FROM ALAMOGORDO PRIMATE FACILITY until all of our Senators and Representatives have a chance to understand the total financial and ethical costs of continuing research with these animals.
Remind them that New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson supports permanent retirement for the chimpanzees and that the Albuquerque Journal agrees there’s no benefit to human health in chimp research.
3. Contact Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at 202-205-5445
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius states, "Our goal is for all Americans to live healthier, more prosperous, and more productive lives." We couldn’t agree more! Please tell Secretary Sebelius that:
The Alamogordo Primate Facility chimpanzees deserve permanent retirement and sanctuary care.
Keeping the APF chimpanzees in New Mexico supports jobs and our local economy.
In 2010, NIH makes great advancements for human health without testing on chimpanzees. Permanently retiring the chimpanzees is the best scientific, financial, and moral decision for America.
Thank you for using your powerful voice for these important chimpanzee individuals. Please talk about this issue with your friends and neighbors, at the coffee shop, in your office, and anywhere else you find compassionate people.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
Photo credit: The HSUS
