Civic and Community Engagement Commons^™

The Meek Don’T Make It, Henry Spira

Commentaries and Editorials

Born 51 years ago in Antwerp, Belgium, Henry Spira ran away from home at 17 to join the Merchant Marine and took his first politics lesson in the National Maritime Union. After the Korean War he worked on a General Motors assembly line in New Jersey. "One thing you learned," Spira said, "is that the meek don't make it." In the late 1950s he first saw animal experiments in a laboratory while working his way through Brooklyn College. He joined the civil rights campaigns in the South and marched against the war in Vietnam, "from beginning to end." Henry Spira …

Twenty-Five Years Of Growth & Achievement: The Humane Society Of The United States (1954-1979), Patrick B. Parkes, Jacques V. Sichel

Humane Societies and Rescue Organizations Collection

The HSUS came into being because, for several years previously, a great many people throughout the United States were aware of the tremendous need for a strong humane group that would actively endorse and work towards eliminating, on a national scale, some of the more obvious cruelties and injustices imposed on animals in slaughterhouses and by uncontrolled breeding of domestic pets. They also realized the necessity for a humane organization that would act in a missionary role, to encourage and assist in the formation of humane societies in the thousands of towns and areas where none existed.

Special Report: Hsus Is A Voice For Animals In Nation's Capital

Special Reports

Power is the name of the game in Washington, D.C. Powerful voices representing every shade of opinion on nearly every subject are seeking constant attention from our lawmakers and civil servants. The Humane Society of the United States is likewise working and speaking for the millions of Americans who care about animals. HSUS is investigating federal agency animal management programs; testifying on Capitol Hill; providing expert advice to legislative committees and congressmen; taking legal action in federal courts; serving on advisory committees; and monitoring legislative, regulatory, and legal affairs having to do with animals.

The voice of The Humane Society …

The Humane Movement And The Survival Of All Living Things, Roger Caras

Conservation Collection

Conservation and the humane movement are Siamese twins. They are inseparable. I beg you to keep this in mind, to think about this, because there is an explosion coming in the conservation movement. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, a great conservationist and humanitarian, is leading the fight now for a teach-in that is going to take place in colleges across this country early next year--early in 1970. Students and teachers are going to sit and talk about nothing but ecology and a crash program of awareness. We are heading for national and international catastrophe and it will soon be on …

Extension Of Community Programs For Animal Protection, Milton B. Learner

Animal Welfare Collection

My discussion today will cover the development and extension_ of humane activities at the state and local levels. This will include the work of a state federation, a comparison between federations and HSUS branches, and the cooperation in national programs by both-while extending such activities to the grassroots local societies. Whatever authority this speaker can muster on these subjects has been gained essentially, it must be remembered, during his tenure as President of the Indiana Federation of Humane Societies.

A state federation of humane societies is quite impressive in nomenclature. It implies united action, resulting in the exercise of power …

Protection Of Wildlife, Leonard Hall

Conservation Collection

There seems to be, and I'm sure it is true with all of you, a feeling that the time has come when we must expand our area of concern to include wild birds and animals, as well as the domestic animals and pets which are part of our interest today.

On the basis of this assumption, I'd like to cover the following points in my discussion. First, all those sound and logical reasons to include a broad interest in wildlife in the program of the humane society. Second, some specific areas and problems that might engage our interest and action. …

Our Challenge And Our Opportunity, Coleman Burke

Animal Welfare Collection

The other day you probably all read of the death of Gavin Maxwell, who produced that delightful "Ring of Bright Water." He said, "Stage one on the way to understanding human beings is an understanding and affection for animals." Fit this in with the statement from Proverbs. Actually, Gavin Maxwell was more intrigued in his life by animals than by people. And I know there are others here who are. And I accept that. I'm not critical of it. I rejoice that there are people who are more intrigued with animals than with people.

But I have a very deep …

The Challenges Of Leadership, R. J. Chenoweth

Animal Welfare Collection

When a great and demanding need exists in any field of endeavor, it is a historical fact that men of intelligence, integrity and goodwill will find a way to fill that need. Like a rudderless ship, in 1954, the American humane movement was drifting without course or compass in a sea of indifference to animal welfare and outright cruelty for man's personal gain. National animal welfare work had languished for years; there was little direction to humane work at the state and local levels. The humane movement had become, in the eyes of an apathetic public, synonymous with cat and …

Report On Present Condition Of The Humane Movement, R. J. Chenoweth

Animal Welfare Collection

Perhaps I should say right at the beginning that I can find just as many sad, discouraging, and frustrating things as the next man in the daily routines of humane work but about the humane cause and the humane movement I am an incorrigible optimist. There are problems, but we have a record of solving and surmounting problems. There is cruelty and there is suffering, demanding of us unremitting work, but I do solemnly believe that we are steadily, exhilaratingly making progress.

I think, in fact, that the first great premise of this meeting, a conviction implicit in the fact …

Animal Shelter Programs And Policies, Edwin J. Sayres

Animal Welfare Collection

A discussion of policies and programs that, ideally, should be followed by humane societies in the operation of shelters and the limitations that are imposed by finances, local circumstances, and other factors is a substantial undertaking. I would like, first, to give you some background information about St. Hubert's Giralda and hope that what I have to say will contribute something to people confronted with the problems of shelter management and animal control programs.

Our methods and approach were basically acquired from material available through national and state organizations in this field. We are especially indebted to the Union County …

The Humane Movement In The United States: 1910-1922, William J. Shultz

This study attempts to continue for the brief period from 1910 to 1922 Professor Roswell C. McCrea's descriptive survey of the Humane Movement in the United States, which covered the distinctive features of legislation and organized efforts for animal and child protection. Professor McCrea gave an outline presentation of the historical background and development for at least a generation prior to 1909-1910. While making free use of Professor McCrea's materials and in some cases restating his conclusions, I have made no attempt to cover the same ground, but have begun this study with the year 1909-1910 where he left off.