Last January, Denver was among the livestock shows that attracted the attention of the nation and possibly the world. Needless to say, it was a trying time. The unethical practices on the part of a few exhibitors gave a black eye to the entire livestock industry. However, as is often the case when unfortunate situations of this magnitude arise, individuals, groups and organizations pulled together to support one another and to confront the issues. To me, this symposium and those in attendance today provide one more example of the industry-wide show of support.

In Denver, we handled the situation in an expeditious, professional manner, keeping the public apprised of what we were doing to resolve the crisis. Thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, including many in this room today, we turned a bad situation around, and have taken some positive steps toward restoring integrity to the livestock show industry and regaining public confidence and trust. Among those steps:

1. We have put strong sanctions in place against those parties who violated the rules of the National Western Stock Show.

2. We have instituted changes in the format of our Junior Show for 1996. Those changes include:

A. Decreased emphasis on individual purses and increased scholarship awards.

                                        B. Initiated a Junior Show Carcass contest.

                                        C. Initiated a Premier Junior Exhibitor Award.

Today I am also speaking as past president of the American Livestock Show and Rodeo Managers Association. I am reporting on the course of action taken by our membership at our annual meeting in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada in June, 1995. The first item adopted at this meeting was a National Show Ring Code of Ethics. This Code of Ethics can be used by our member shows, in compliance with the rules and regulations of the state in which the representative's shows are held, to help resolve conflicts when they arise. The second item adopted was a resolution to provide a means for our membership to help one another. To facilitate this second resolution, the Rule Infraction Database, abbreviated RID, was initiated.

At this time I would also like to thank the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo, their Executive Vice President and General Manager, Keith Martin, and Assistant Livestock Manager, Bucky Lamb, for their assistance in establishing this database.

The American Livestock Show and Rodeo Managers Association was created to form an alliance of major livestock shows and rodeos and to foster communication and cooperation between member shows. We are a relatively small organization, with only thirty-six member shows. We have represented twenty-two states and two Canadian provinces. I'm pleased to say that the majority of the major livestock shows and rodeos throughout the North American continent are represented. We have no paid Vice President or Secretary, only volunteer officers. We meet once a year and provide a forum for discussion of the major topics affecting the Stock Show and Rodeo industry. At our most recent meeting in Regina, Saskatchewan, the conference focus was on the rampant spread of unethical activities and rules violations. Of course the hot topics included Denver, Louisville, Tulsa and Houston.

The following resolution was passed:

1. Resolved that each member shall give prompt, timely notification of any exhibitor/owner sanctioned by its show to all member shows, the reasons for sanctioning, including facts and type of sanction imposed;

2. Resolved that each member pledges to cooperate with member shows and share such information on process, types of drugs or substances currently used and current tampering activities known to be in use by exhibitors/owners at such show;

3. Resolved that the association members support the policy of removing exhibitors/owners from eligibility to compete and eligibility to win premiums in a member show due to disqualification in another member show for reasons of tampering, sabotage, misrepresentation, fraud or deception, so long as such policy does not intrude on individual member show policy;

4. Resolved that the policy set forth in paragraph three shall remain in effect pending legal review and submission of another policy to the membership at its annual convention in 1996.

This resolution provides the foundation for the Rule Infraction Database. RID collects, stores and distributes information concerning rules violations and can help determine eligibility and fight unethical activity.

How is the database secured? RID is stored on a high-level computer security system. Information contained in RID is released only to the member shows. When information is transferred, it is by the Social Security number of the violator, and such information is delivered by certified mail. Eventually, all RID entries will be made by Social Security number. Current RID violations can then be readily cross-checked with entry listings for member shows.

If you find that you have an exhibitor entered who is on the RID list, this does not imply automatic disqualification. Each case must be evaluated on an individual basis to determine whether or not the exhibitor is in compliance with the rules and regulations of that particular show and of the state in which that show is held. For example, "The National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in cooperation with member shows of the American Livestock Show and Rodeo Managers Association and the Rule Infraction Database, reserves the right to refuse entry of any exhibitor who has been barred from any other show on the basis of unethical practices."

Now that this program is in place, eligibility can be determined for the Junior Market Shows, Junior Breeding Shows, and even the Open Breeding Shows. The ultimate goals of RID are:

                    1. The total elimination of rules violations and unethical activity;

2. The total elimination of drug residues in market animals on a national scale. (We have a zero tolerance, one-strike-and-you're-out policy);

3. The elimination of animal abuse. We must put an end to inflammatory stories such as the one written by Ann Landers about the ag instructor who showed a young person how to force water down a hog in order to increase the hog's weight -- which in this particular story resulted in the death of the hog;

                    4. The elimination of unethical fitting practices;

5. And, most importantly, to guarantee food safety and to ensure the public that the meat and poultry products they purchase are safe, wholesome, unadulterated and free of harmful biological residues.

What will these goals accomplish? They will bring respect and integrity back into the show barn and livestock industry. The Rule Infraction Database is what we make it and nothing more.

How are infractions submitted for inclusion in the RID? The RID has available infraction submittal forms. The form asks for the name and address of the show making the submittal, the description of the infraction, and a description of the type of action taken. The form also asks for the name, address and Social Security number of the violator, and whose signature is on the entry card (e.g., 4-H club leader or FFA chapter leader).

In closing, I would like to say that we need to provide more positive information about our industry and the outstanding youth involved in junior livestock shows. Today, we have focused on those few individuals who are unethical and that violate the rules. However, there are thousands more stories about good youngsters for whom 4-H and FFA has made a positive impact. These are the stories we need to talk about!