Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) received the Humane Advocate Award from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) for his outstanding commitment to animal welfare.  Kildee received a perfect score on the organization’s Humane Scorecard which evaluates Members of Congress based on their voting records and sponsorship of legislation.

“I am grateful to receive this award, but the real thanks goes to the Humane Society for more than fifty years of dedicated service,” Congressman Kildee said. “I fully endorse the mission and achievements of the Humane Society and the protection of animals from abuse, cruelty and neglect will remain among my top priorities as I cast my vote.”

The Humane Society rates members of the U.S. House of Representatives on their support of legislation prohibiting the slaughter of horses for consumption overseas and of legislation to crack down on animal fighting.   HSUS also scored Members’ votes to prohibit the commercial sale and slaughter of wild horses.

As a senior member of the House Natural Resources Committee, Kildee has consistently worked to protect the fragile habitats of threatened species.  Kildee sponsored and passed the Michigan Wilderness Act of 1987 and the Grand Island National Recreation Area Act of 1989 to preserve national forest that shelters Michigan flora and fauna.

Established in 1954, the Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, representing nearly ten million members and constituents.