"The Time for a New Direction Has Arrived ..."

[Whirlaway]

I've done a lot of reading lately, none more emotionally compelling and none more factual than work by Sheila Lyons, DMV . . .

We have been waiting for decades for promised reforms to materialize through self-regulation. The first Congressional hearings took place on this same topic in May of 1982. At that time industry representatives made the same promises to Congress and the American people. They assured us that change was imminent and that the industry could police itself and integrity and safety would improve. Well, the situation has, indeed, changed - but not for the better. Instead the sport horse industry has seen more than three decades of steady decline. They asked for a little more time to produce these improved results and the federal government gave it to them. I believe that thirty years is time enough . . . the time for a new direction has arrived.

Her testimony here: http://energycommerce.house.gov/hearing ... r-purposes