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November 6, 2008
President-Elect Barack Obama
713 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear President-Elect Obama,
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your successful bid for the presidency of the United States and looks forward to working closely with you, your administration and the 111th Congress on issues critical to veterinary medicine and the American people.
Animal and human health are among the most important issues facing America today, and America's veterinarians are eager to provide science-based insight to you and your staff as you strive to protect Americans from zoonotic diseases, food-borne illnesses and animal-related bioterrorism.
America's veterinarians are responsible for maintaining public health as well as animal health. Unfortunately, our nation is heading toward a crisis because there is a critical shortage of veterinarians – especially in rural areas, where food animals are typically raised and inspected. The AVMA sincerely hopes it can look to your administration to provide leadership and commitment to finding solutions to this shortage.
Additionally, crucial food safety programs and resources -- such as the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD) -- that will fall under your administrative jurisdiction are frequently underfunded and at risk of closure. The AVMA calls on the Obama administration to take strong stances to fund these national safeguards.
Finally, as you and your team work to fill thousands of key policy positions, the AVMA encourages the new administration to fill critical positions with veterinarians whenever possible. Top-level, politically appointed positions that deal with veterinary, animal and food safety issues are best served by having veterinarians in those positions.
The AVMA welcomes the opportunity to work with you and the 111th Congress to help ensure that these issues -- which affect all Americans -- are addressed in a timely and responsible manner. We share your hope for a safer and more prosperous America and are ready to provide America's leaders with the knowledge and information necessary to make this a reality.
Sincerely,
W. Ron DeHaven
Chief Executive Officer
American Veterinary Medical Association
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= AVMA/SAVMA Members Only
