U.S. Representative Nick Rahall (D-WV) has been recognized by The Humane Society of the United States for his advocacy on animal welfare issues considered by the Congress in 2005.

Rahall and Sen. Robert C. Byrd were awarded "Legislative Leader" awards from HSUS for their leadership in sponsoring S. 576 and H.R. 297, legislation that seeks to restore the prohibition on the commercial sale and slaughter of wild free-roaming horses and burros. Rahall also offered an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2006 Interior Appropriations bill - which was approved by a vote of 249-159 in the House, but was stripped from the final bill in a House/Senate conference committee - to protect wild horses.

"I am deeply honored to be recognized by the Humane Society, an organization that has been and continues to be a powerful force for the protection of animals," Rahall said. "I pledge to continue my fight to protect an icon of America's heritage, our wild horses, from slaughter."

Additionally, Rep. Rahall co-authored an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2006 Agriculture Appropriations bill to de-fund the federal inspections of horse meat and horses for slaughter, as a means of stopping the practice of horse slaughter for food exports. The amendment passed by 69-28 in the Senate and 269-158 in the House, and was included in the final spending bill.

"We are tremendously grateful to Rahall for his leadership and support for animal protection policies," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "In order to pass humane laws, we need humane lawmakers and Representative Rahall deserves this important recognition for his compassion."