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Date: Monday, February 11, 2013 <br /> Contact: (574) 210 - 9623 or VSchey @ South Bend IN.g <br /> From: 3rd District Council Member,Valerie Schey <br /> "3rd District Council Member Voices Opposition to SB 373 Addressing Whistleblower <br /> Suppression" <br /> SB 373 is pending in the Indiana General Assembly. The bill, also known as the Anti- <br /> Whistleblower Bill, was written to prevent employees and undercover investigators from <br /> documenting and reporting unsafe working conditions, environmental problems and <br /> animal abuse taking place on industrial factory farms. <br /> Over the years employees and investigators have taken great risks to come forward with <br /> reports of horrific conditions and cruel mistreatment of animals on industrial factory <br /> farms. In 2008, the work of an undercover investigator reveled how diseased, or "downer", <br /> cows were being used for beef sold to consumers in grocery stores. That investigation led <br /> to the country's largest ever meat recall and a state law banning the use of such downed <br /> cattle. <br /> As an elected South Bend City Council Member I believe that reputable businesses don't <br /> need laws silencing whistleblowers. I question the constitutionality of whistleblower <br /> suppression as infringing on our First Amendment right to free speech and freedom of the <br /> press, <br /> SB 373 is scheduled to be heard by the Corrections and Criminal Law Committee this <br /> Tuesday, February 12th. I believe that creating a law making it illegal for an individual to <br /> report unsafe working conditions, environmental issues or other abuses in the work place <br /> is a violation of our American ideals. I am therefore contacting members of the Indiana <br /> General Assembly and members of the Corrections and Criminal Law Committee and will <br /> be urging them to vote "No" on SB 373. I encourage others to do the same so that this Bill is <br /> defeated. <br />