Chimp Bill Introduced

On November 22, 1999 Representative James Greenwood (R, PA), introduced H.R.3514, the “Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance and Protection Act” (CHIMP) to create a congressionally-chartered non-profit retirement sanctuary where all chimpanzees formerly used in research could permanently live without the threat of ever returning to an experimental laboratory or being subjected to further invasive experiments or tests.

This bill may create the sanctuary system that could ultimately house the 652 chimps currently in danger at The Coulston Foundation. The CHIMP Act is as timely as it is important.

Commenting on the proposed legislation, Dr. Jane Goodall said: “Never before has there been such a concrete opportunity to work in cooperation with the scientific community, government officials, and the world’s most renowned primate experts to provide chimpanzees who have given so much of themselves to science with a safe, permanent home to live out the remainder of their lives. This is a crucial time for us in our stewardship to define their future with respect, compassion and justice. They deserve nothing less.”