WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) issued the following statement yesterday in response to the introduction of a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would outlaw cockfighting in the Marianas and the other non-state areas of the U.S.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether to continue allowing cockfighting in the Marianas is a question best left to our local legislators to answer. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFederal law already bars the interstate shipment of fighting cocks, which is a legitimate exercise of federal authority. But cockfighting that is strictly confined to the Marianas, [that] stays within our borders and involves no federal interests, should remain a matter for local decisionmakers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to thank those in the Democratic caucus who consulted with me before deciding whether to cosponsor this bill, especially those who decided not to cosponsor as a result of our discussion. Because I know that animal fighting is hard to defend and understand in other parts of our country.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was able to explain that this is a culturally accepted practice in the Marianas that is best regulated by local law. And, if the bill does move forward in Congress, I will continue to make the case that this is a decision for the Commonwealth Legislature.\u201d (PR)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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