Paws for Celebration

Floor Speech

Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, Harry Truman famously said that if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog, and I can tell you that many of our Nation's animal shelters and rescue groups would be more than happy to introduce you to a new friend.

Between 5 and 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, and the hardworking individuals at these shelters and rescues try to make sure that each of these animals makes its way to a forever home.

I have been so fortunate that my entire life I have had rescue dogs as part of my family. As a girl, it was Scotty Daisy. As a newlywed, my husband and I adopted Samantha and Walter, and as a family, with my three sons, we welcomed Bison into our family.

I want to honor the hard work of volunteers and staff at animal shelters and rescue groups across the Nation, and I encourage my colleagues to join me today at this year's Paws for Celebration event on Capitol Hill.

This event, sponsored by the ASPCA and hosted by the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, will feature adoptable dogs and cats from shelters and rescues from around the Washington, D.C., area.

It will be a great opportunity for Members of Congress to take a moment and thank the shelter and rescue community for their hard work and dedication to our Nation's homeless pets.

Who knows? You might even find that friend in Washington you have been looking for.

Source