Ecological Wisdom * Social Justice * Grassroots Democracy * Non-Violence
>> Green Party of Michigan <<
http://www.migreens.org
>>> ---------------- <<<
>>> News Release <<<
>>> ---------------- <<<
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
---------------------
June 10, 2004
For More Information Contact:
----------------------------
John Anthony La Pietra -- Media Committee, GPMI
phone: 269-781-9478
jalp@internet1.net
>>> Greens Still Say NO to Hunting Michigan's Bird of Peace <<<
>>> ======================================================= <<<
>> Party Calls on Granholm to Keep Campaign Promise, Veto HB5029 <<
> <
> Cite 1998 Resolution Passed by House; Senate Has One This Year <
The Green Party of Michigan (GPMI) is calling on Governor Jennifer
Granholm to honor a 2001 campaign promise and veto House Bill 5029,
which would open a hunting season on the mourning dove -- recognized
by the state House as the Michigan Bird of Peace.
The party issued a public statement back in November which cites
that legislative declaration -- in House Resolution 244 of 1998, adopted
March 25 of that year -- and the traditional public regard for the dove
as the symbol of peace.
Granholm made the promise in a February 2001 response to a candidate
survey by HumaneUSA. The survey asked, "If the legislature finally did
pass a dove hunting bill, would you veto such a bill?" Granholm answered
"yes".
She also said she would veto a bill that would take authority for
moving animals on and off the state game list from the legislature and
give it to the appointed Natural Resources Commission.
In discussing the dove-hunting issue last fall, Greens acknowledged
that hunting is "an important activity to many Michigan residents", and
has contributed to the preservation of habitat for some wild animals.
But the party does not believe hunting doves, "the traditionally- and
legally-recognized bird of peace[,] is a vital part of anyone's way of
life or subsistence."
GPMI has maintained its stand on principle. By contrast, Granholm
is reportedly "intrigued" about the possibility of a limited hunt in
counties on Michigan's southern border.
John La Pietra of Marshall, GPMI's Calhoun County co-ordinator,
opposes dove-hunting. So, consistently, do 2/3 of Michigan citizens
polled. "HB5029 is not only unpopular, unnecessary, and dangerous --
it's *wrong*," La Pietra wrote in a letter urging Granholm to keep her
promise and veto the bill.
"Whatever one's feelings about hunting in general, if any bird
should *not* be a target of hunting, it is the dove . . . which was
officially recognized in 1998 as the Michigan Bird of Peace. And that
recognition, building on one of our civilization's oldest traditions,
came from the same state House which yielded the latest hunting bill."
The text of House Resolution 244 and the HumaneUSA questions are
shown below.
For more information on the issue, visit the Songbird Protection
Alliance Web site at:
http://www.savethedoves.org
For more information about the Green Party of Michigan as it prepares
to send a delegation to the GPUS national nominating convention in Milwaukee
June 23-28, please visit the GPMI Web site:
http://www.migreens.org
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GPMI Statement Opposing HB5029 and Dove-Hunting (November 2003)
===============================================================
The Green Party of Michigan (GPMI) opposes House Bill 5029, and any other
measure to promote hunting of the mourning dove -- recognized throughout
the state as Michigan's official bird of peace, in accordance with House
Resolution 244 of 1998 (adopted March 25, 1998).
GPMI recognizes that hunting is an important activity to many Michigan
residents. However, we reject the idea that hunting of the traditionally-
and legally-recognized bird of peace is a vital part of anyone's way of
life or subsistence.
Accordingly, GPMI calls on all members of the Michigan Senate to reject
HB5029 and any other dove-hunting measure, and we urge all Michigan
citizens with a respect for peace to contact their State Senators and
tell them to oppose dove-hunting.
For more information, visit:
http://www.savethedoves.org
# # #
Green Party of Michigan * 548 S. Main Street *
* Ann Arbor, MI 48104 * 734-663-3555
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The Green Party of Michigan was formed in 1987 to address environmental
issues in Michigan politics. There are Greens organized in all 50 states
and the District of Columbia. Each state Green Party sets its own goals
and creates its own structure, but US Greens agree on Ten Key Values:
Ecological Wisdom * Grassroots Democracy
Social Justice * Nonviolence
Community Economics * Decentralization
Feminism * Respect for Diversity
Personal and Global * Future Focus/
Responsibility Sustainability
created/distributed using donated labor
[=======================================================================]
House Resolution 244 of 1998 -- Text and Deliberations
(from House Journal 30, Page 538)
=================================
Reps. Profit, Kukuk, LaForge, Raczkowski, Hale, Prusi, Cherry, Scott,
Kelly, Murphy, Wojno, Voorhees, Vaughn, Anthony, Godchaux, Schroer,
Brater, Parks, Jansen, Wallace and Varge offered the following
resolution:
A resolution recognizing the mourning dove, Zenaida Macroura,
as the Michigan Bird of Peace.
Whereas, The mourning dove is an American bird known for its sad,
cooing call. Its grayish-brown feathers and long tapering tail
are widely recognized in Michigan, as is its soft and mournful
sound. The mourning dove, or Zenaida Macroura as it is known in
the scientific realm, is a peaceful songbird; and
Whereas, The day of the mourning dove begins early in the morning
when it begins to look for food and water. The doves then rest
during part of the afternoon, seek more food and water, and before
nightfall, return to their nests built loosely of twigs in a tree
or bush or on the ground. Many scientists believe that a male and
female mourning dove mate with each other for life. Bird watchers
will note that mourning doves are often found in pairs and, as
parents, the doves are both responsible for feeding the young,
called squabs, which are born blind and almost featherless; and
Whereas, The dove has traditionally symbolized peace. It is often
depicted with an olive branch in its beak. Mourning doves do not
eat olive branches, but do, however, feed on weed seeds and insects.
It is a peaceful bird which will swiftly fly from conflict on strong
wings that make a whistling sound as they move through the air. The
mourning dove plays a quiet, but vital role in the fragile and
beautiful ecosystem that is the Michigan water wonderland;
now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the mourning dove,
Zenaida Macroura, be known throughout the state as the Michigan
Bird of Peace.
Pending the reference of the resolution to a committee,
Rep. Gagliardi moved that Rule 77 be suspended and the resolution be
considered at this time.
The motion prevailed, 3/5 of the members present voting therefor.
The question being on the adoption of the resolution,
The resolution was adopted, a majority of the members serving voting
therefor.
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[the resolution can be found from the MichiganLegislature.org
Web site via the following page related to it:]
http://www.michiganlegislature.org/mileg.asp?page=getObject&objName=1998-HR-0244
The text above is visible via link to the indicated page of the
House Journal for that day.
[=======================================================================]
Jennifer Granholm's Campaign Promise to Voters, February 2001
[via Humane USA and HEAL-PAC]:
Question: MOURNING DOVE HUNTING.
---------------------------------
Mourning Dove Hunting: Since 1905, the sport hunting of mourning doves
in Michigan has been illegal. Michigan citizens recognize that
mourning dove hunting is not necessary to protect agriculture and
that the shooting of these birds is little more than target practice
for hunters. It is also known that Michigan is part of the doves'
breeding range meaning the birds mate and breed here at all times
of the year. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has not
established that there is a overpopulation of doves here. However,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service studies have shown a decrease in
their populations in this region. Over the decades, public opinion
has been against hunting the doves and in favor of feeding and
watching the birds at their feeders. Even the majority of Michigan
hunters polled opposed dove hunting. Utility companies fear power
outages from hunters shooting at doves roosting on power lines. If
the legislature finally did pass a dove hunting bill, would you veto
such a bill?
Answer: YES
Question: AUTHORITY TRANSFER.
------------------------------
Authority Transfer: In the 1980's the Michigan DNR and Natural
Resources Commission (NRC) made an attempt to place mourning doves
on the State Game List without going to the state legislature for
approval first. The Michigan Humane Society challenged this in
court and both the Ingham County District Court and the State Court
of Appeals ruled against this NRC and DNR maneuver. The courts
clearly stated that a major public policy decision, such as putting
an animal on the Game List for the first time, must reside with the
legislative branch of government. This branch is considered most
representative of and responsive to the citizens of the state --
who are also the owners of all wildlife. In 2001, legislation was
introduced (but not passed) to transfer the authority to move
animals on and off the Game List from the legislature to the
non-elected, gubernatorial appointed NRC. If such a bill were
passed by the legislature, would you veto it?
Answer: YES
# # #
\-----------------------------------------------------------/
Other Contacts:
Green Party of Michigan
548 S Main St
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-663-3555
info@migreens.org
posted to web 16 June 2004