Anti-freeze bill passed Senate, but not the House Proposal would, it hopes, save animals and childrens' lives Haley Ham poses with her parents and with state Sen. Raymond Finney, who is sponsoring the anti-freeze bill she suggested. PHOTO: Office of Senator Raymond Finney Most sixth graders don't know much about the Tennessee General Assembly, and most sixth graders wouldn't know how to begin to get an idea turned into law. Eleven-year-old Haley Ham isn't like most sixth graders. Last year, two dogs she loved -- one named Sam and the other named Jessie -- were poisoned by antifreeze. During the days after their deaths, she researched the subject and discovered that antifreeze kills tens of thousands of pets every year, in part because it smells and tastes sweet. Because of this, at least three states (California, Oregon and New Mexico) have passed legislation that requires a "bittering agent" be added to all antifreeze sold in those states. Haley Ham wrote letters to several public officials explaining what happened to Sam and Jessie and asking someone to do something. "I don't want any other animals to have to suffer this, because it's a very terrible death, and I also want justice for Sam and Jessie," Haley says today. State Senator Raymond Finney read Haley's letter and has proposed a bill similar to the new laws in the three states requiring bittering agents. "She worked very hard on this," says Finney, who represents Sevier County in the Tennessee State Senate. "This bill should be passed because antifreeze is a danger to pets and to children." Finney's bill has been designated Senate Bill 2399. If you click here you can read the bill in its entirety. Haley Ham PHOTO: Office of Senator Raymond Finney According to her mother Ginni Ham, Haley has every intention of seeing her battle against sweet-smelling antifreeze to the end. "I was worried at first that she wouldn't want to spend a lot of time in Nashville working on this," Ginni Ham says. "But she's told me that she wants to be there when this thing is voted on, and she wants to go office to office and meet senators and talk to them about this if need be." Like all pieces of legislation, Senate Bill 2399 has a long and circuitous path to becoming law. Having already passed the Senate Commerce, Labor and Agriculture committee, it is scheduled to be voted on by the full Senate on February 6. (It needs 17 yes votes to pass the 33-member body.) Then its House companion (HB 2808) must pass a House subcommittee and a full House committee before it goes before the full 99-member House. Assuming the exact same bill passes both chambers, the bill would then go to Governor Phil Bredesen, who would then have the option of signing it into law, allowing it to become law without his signature, or vetoing it. Mary Nell Bryan, a lobbyist who represents the Humane Society of the United States, says this is a great bill, but says it won't be easy to pass. "I'm so glad Haley has suggested this and that she loves animals," she said. Teachers, parents and students: If you would like to write your state senator or representative about this bill, here are tips on how to do this: * If you don't know who your state senator or representative is, click here to be taken to the web page of the Tennessee General Assembly. Once there, click on SENATE or HOUSE on the left column, then click on MEMBERS, and then FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR. * If you have time, a written letter is superior to an email. Legislators are bombarded with emails and aware of the fact that a written letter requires more time. * Make your letter clear and concise. * Make certain you write your name, address, phone number and email address on the letter. Assume that it will be separated from its envelope. * Tell them you heard about this from Tennessee History for Kids.