I am very excited to go to Washington DC on Monday! It feels really good to go because I know that I can help the horses. I hope the people there listen to me so they will know what is really going on. I really, really, really, hope I make a difference!
I have surpassed my goal of collecting 115 letters and now have over 200 letters to bring with me. I am very confident that the letters will help save America's horses from slaughter. Thank you everyone who have written a letter or supported me in any way.
I am definitely looking forward to speaking at the press conference on Tuesday the 27th. I have been working really hard on my speech and I think it is great and it will change people's minds about horse slaughter. I am also very excited to meet people like Congressman Jim Moran (VA), Vicki Tobin (EWA), Jo-Claire Corcoran (EWA) and R.T. Fitch, who are all fellow horse advocates. I am especially excited to meet R.T. Fitch (author) because he has helped me so much and I really want to meet him and thank him personally for helping me and posting my blog on his blog. I think it's cool R.T. is going to be there too, especially since a lot of the people who are standing up for the horses are women. It will be great to meet another man who is really trying to stop this evil and is also standing up for what he thinks is right. And thank you to Congressman Moran, another man never willing to back down from the fight.
When I am in Washington DC, I have an appointment with Congressman Guinta. Congressman Guinta will also be taking me on the House Floor during a vote so I can see how it all works. That is going to be REALLY cool! There are a few other people who have asked to meet with me, so we are trying to schedule that now. I will let you know when I do.
Mark Ericson from WOKQ (in NH) is going to be broadcasting from a sister station and asked to interview me. Unfortunately, we will have already left DC when he can meet, so we will be talking when I get back from my trip. I will also be talking with Jean Proulx on WSCA (in NH) on her "PAWsitive Thoughts" show in April. I will try to get recordings of both to post for you.
I feel really good that I have all my homework done so I can go on my trip and not be stressed out by it. I even completed the work my teacher sent home that I will be missing, so I am all set. Now, I can concentrate on my speech and practice it before we go. I wonder if people would want to hear my speech on the plane... it would be great practice. Maybe I can present it to the Captain. I think I'll ask when I get on the plane :-)
I will try to write from Washington DC, but it may have to wait until I get back because I will be so busy.
Thanks again for all your help and support!! Love never fails and I will never give up on the horses!!
~Declan
Being mentioned in your blog, Declan, is quite an honor. Terry and I, likewise, are looking forward to meeting you and we intend to bring a little bit of Texas with us, for your enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteKeep the faith.
It is wonderful young men and ladies such as yourself who will bring back the sanity to our wonderful country. God Bless you on this journey and I pray that those to whom you will be speaking will honestly open their minds and hearts and truly LISTEN to what you have to say. Your parents are truly blessed to have such a caring son such as yourself. I wish that I could meet you to say this directly to you and let you know that MANY of us will have you in our prayers for a successful trip.
ReplyDeleteKind Regards,
Deby Z.
Declan,
ReplyDeleteYou are a very smart and wonderful young man. I admire you for your compassion for horses and the fact that you are working to stop slaughter.
I will buy a tee shirt or send $ to help.
All the best luck in Washington!
From A fellow Horse Warrior, (but a lot older than you).
Kathryn Baker aka greyfel
We are all very proud of you and wish you well on your journey. I too have been doing what I can to help save horses from the cruel and inhumane treatment.
ReplyDeleteYou may not know who Gandhi is but let's just say he was a very smart man. You might remind those you see in Washington of what he said...
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" ~Gandhi (1869-1948).
Good Luck and safe travels Declan and Thank You for what you are doing for the horses.
Great job you are doing, young man! Thank you for speaking out for those without a voice!! We need lots more like you! Im proud of you and all your efforts to stop horse slaughter! Children can make a difference! Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Declan, for being one of the voices trying to protect our horses. I hope that those in Washington will be moved by your message. There have been so many people speaking up against horse slaughter, but we need someone in Washington to listen. You have the perfect opportunity because I hope Washington will listen to the young people of this country. Wishing you much success. Barbara Leonard, MO
ReplyDeleteDeclan, I read R.T. Fitch's news on Care2 where I first was informed to what you were doing! I am so Proud that we have such a Wise Young Man to fight for our Endangered Horses. You have reduced me to happy tears reading what you have written in your blog and I pray your trip goes well for you!
ReplyDeleteYou may be able to Change the Minds of these Politicans where we have failed...for if we don't stop what is going on against these Innocent Horses, sadly we have all failed ~ Personally, I am sending you prayers and all the best for you to get your VOICE HEARD FOR THESE HORSES! Please do keep us posted on your Experience!
Happy Trails and all the Best Declan! I am so Proud of YOU!!! Blessings, Marilynn M
Hi Declan and Stacie, Best wishes to you on your trip to DC and visit with Congress with Vicki Tobin and RT Fitch. I am thrilled that you read my book "Wind, Wild Horse Rescue" and that you are bringing a copy of it to President Obama with my letter. I hope his family reads it, too. I wish I could be there to help all of you. I will watch for it on TV in case they broadcast the session! My prayers and sincere hope that all involved will succeed in stopping the slaughterhouses in America and that Canada follows in our footsteps. We all need to be warriors for the horses. I believe it is possible with good people joining together! Good Luck from your friends in NH.
ReplyDeleteA huge thank you Declan to you and all of your friends for helping the horses!! Wishing you the best of luck on your quest and remember, you're not alone!! I wish I could be there with you too, but I'm way up in Canada and can't afford to fly there. Wishing you a safe trip and huge success!! We're all pulling for you on the Care2 site!! I wish there were a lot more kids out there like you and your friends! Bravo!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Native Americans have a saying, "We do not own the land, we borrow it from our children". Sadly, most adults do not recognize this and destroy because they can. I am glad that our future is standing up and saying we want it, you cannot take it from us. Strength to you and your friends you are all wonderful.
ReplyDeletedragonsgemcat
HI Declan from Australia,
ReplyDeleteI just read about you on Care2, and wanted to let you know that I think you are inspirational.
As a Mum of two children close to your age, I Thank you for everything you and your friends are doing,and wish you the greatest success, keep up the excellent work,...you're very lucky also to have such fabulous parents whom support you.
Take care, and look forward reading how you go!
You're right, honey...love never fails. Always keep that love and compassion in your heart. Good luck and God bless!
ReplyDeleteDeclan, when I was 9 years old, I would never have been able to do what you are doing. Perhaps, there will come a time when the world is kind enough that we don't have to speak out for those that can't. Until then, you keep speaking out.
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best in DC. My prayers will be with all of you on your very important quest ! I hope Congress will see that this is just wrong ! Remind them how great this country is-land of the free, home of the brave.
ReplyDeleteAnimals' Angels is behind you 100% Declan. Thank you for standing up for the horses.
ReplyDeleteGreat day and a super job by Declan...you can hear him only minutes after his speach, here: http://rtfitchauthor.com/2012/03/27/audio-post-14/
ReplyDeleteand this is Congressman Moran's press release: http://rtfitchauthor.com/2012/03/28/moran-calls-for-ban-on-horse-slaughter/
Declan is a young horse warrior. A fine young man. I have emailed Congressman Moran to thank him for all of his efforts on behalf of animal welfare. He is one of the good guys.
ReplyDeletehey here is my blog http://dylanmunn18.blogspot.com/2012/03/i-cant-think-of-anything-to-wirte.html
ReplyDeleteHi there Declan, now on my bucket list is to meet YOU!! You are my new hero, what an accomplishment, what a goal, you are such a fine young man to stand up for what you KNOW is wrong. We need a nation of people like you.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is wonderful. It is well written with great photos. You have accomplished something so great, it is affecting many many people and thousands of our loving horses.
You were right when you mentioned your speech on the steps on how people would walk up and give a listen, they had confused and surprised looks on their faces...there are many more people who don't know about horse slaughter than do.
Your courage and belief in yourself, we can all see that. What a great young man and our hero.
I read the part where your Mom was sad and you asked her why. When she told you about horse slaughter you wanted to help. All I can say is 'WOW'! You have something special in your heart, young man. A compassion and drive to do what your heart tells you. That, my friend, is the character that will carry you tall through life. Your mom, Stacie, and you did something wonderful and right, for all of us. Thank you.