ANIMAL LAW PROGRAM

Animal Law Summit II and Samantha Scholarship Event a Huge Success

GW Animal Law benefactor Julius Fleischman and Samantha Scholarship recipient Eden Gray.

February 22, 2007 -- The first-ever Samantha Scholarship in Animal Law was awarded to 3L Eden Gray on Thursday. Created by Julius Fleischman in memory and honor of his beloved golden retriever, Samantha, the endowment provides an annual scholarship to a GW Law student who has contributed significantly to the GW Animal Law Program as a leader, advocate, and scholar, and who has demonstrated the passion and commitment to promote the welfare of animals through the law.

"I am deeply honored to be the initial recipient of the scholarship and am sincerely thankful to Julius Fleischman for endowing this award," Gray said. 

Fleischman said he was so moved by all of the positive things he heard at the event that he wanted to endow an additional scholarship. His surprise announcement was welcomed with cheers from the more than 75 D.C. animal welfare community members who attended the event.

"I'm just happy to be a part of this program," Mr. Fleischman said.

"The Summit was a huge success," Professor and Animal Law Program Director Joan Schaffner said. "It was so gratifying to feel the positive energy in the room and to know that the event touched Julius Fleischman so much that he chose, sua sponte, to endow a second scholarship in animal law in memory of another of Mr. Fleischman's beloved pets, HoJo."

The first Animal Law Summit was held three years ago. In the interim, GW Law's Animal Welfare Project completed the "Report on Animal Welfare in the District of Columbia" (2005), which was presented to D.C. Councilmember David Catania and D.C. Department of Health Director Dr. Gregg Pane. The report has been used to draft omnibus animal welfare legislation for the District of Columbia - the D.C. Animal Protection Amendment Act of 2007.

GW Law Professor and D.C. Councilmember Mary M. Cheh submitted the legislation in early February and it was well-received: four other Councilmembers--Kwame R. Brown, David Catania, Jim Graham, and Vincent C. Gray--sponsored the bill, and once it was introduced, Councilmembers Marion Barry, Jack Evans, Phil Mendelson, and Tommy Wells co-sponsored the bill. Council Chair Gray said he was impressed with the legislation and that it was "very well written."

The Animal Law Summit II allowed for the community to hear more about D.C. Animal Protection Amendment Act of 2007 and many other accomplishments in the District. Washington Humane Society CEO Howard Nelson gave a Powerpoint presentation about the goals already reached and the achievements yet to come in areas such as spay/neuter programs and pet populations.

"Just a few years ago, GW Law offered one seminar on animal law and wildlife protection," Eden Gray said. "Since then, the Animal Law Program has expanded to include a student organization focused on advocacy and outreach to law students and the local community, a pro bono project focused on reforming animal welfare laws in the District, a clinical experience in partnership with the Litigation Department of the Humane Society of the United States, and a humane education program to teach District students about animal laws and animal welfare. The endowment of this scholarship will help us further our goals of encouraging students to pursue their interest in animal law and of growing the animal law program here at GW Law."

Washington Humane Society CEO Howard Nelson gets a kiss on his chin from a friendly shepherd-  mix at the event.		Professors Joan Schaffner and Mary M. Cheh founded the Animal Law Project in 2004.
Dean Frederick M. Lawrence and Professor Schaffner unveil the portrait of Samantha.		Julius Fleischman said he was touched by the fanfare for his beloved Samantha.
Jeremy Faust (J.D. '06), Legislative Counsel to Councilmember Cheh, spoke to the crowd about the Animal Protection Amendment Act of 2007. Click here to read the bill online.		Carolyne Williams of Patience with Animals stands with her friend Julius, Professor Schaffner who is holding GW Animal Law ambassador Spirit the cat, and Animal Welfare Project student founders Lynn Deavers (J.D. '06) and Kerry Contini (J.D. 06).