The Thomas Horner Legacy

Last year Government Accountability Project supporter Thomas Horner left an estate gift to Government Accountability Project that is impacting three areas reflecting his deep personal concerns: climate change, environmental contamination and inhumane treatment of farm animals. 

Because Thomas remembered us in his will, we will continue our climate-related efforts to challenge climate change "denialists" on the science, critique federal government climate policies, expose the environmental dangers that fossil fuel industries pose as they extract and transport their products, and conduct a Know Your Rights campaign to let federal employees and energy company workers know about their rights to expose problems and keep their jobs.

In addition, we now represent 30 whistleblowers who are shedding light on BP's failed cleanup operation after its Deepwater Horizon oil well disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

Treating Chickens More Humanely

Our most significant breakthrough on the humane treatment of animals came from North Carolina poultry farmer Craig Watts' revelations. As a contractor at Purdue, he has had to follow strict rules and guidelines that guaranteed that his farm and many others would turn into a hellish existence for poultry.

He allowed the media to film the inevitable conditions that Purdue's rules have fostered. For example, chickens are crunched into two-thirds of a square foot each. They are unable to stand as a result of growth hormones, which cause their breasts to swell entirely out of proportion to their bodies. They are withering in filth, covered with sores and injected with antibiotics. 

Thanks to Thomas and other supporters, we have filed a complaint against Purdue for its violation of the Food Safety Modernization Act and against the U.S. Department of Agriculture for letting Purdue label the poultry from these farms as "cage free" and "humanely raised."

Our complaint also argues that Perdue's breeding practices increase the risk that birds become contaminated with salmonella and/or develop infections, which significantly threatens consumers' health.

We have Thomas to thank for this landmark filing that marks a first step in an effort for contract farmers to have the right to speak out against unfair and inhumane conditions on large-scale farms. 

Our dear friend Thomas' legacy to Government Accountability Project and the public interest has helped make all these critical efforts possible and will continue to do so for years to come. 

Protect Truth

Just like Thomas, you have the power to create a legacy that protects whistleblowers and the public interest. Learn how you can include Government Accountability Project in your estate plans, or contact Michael Termini at (202) 926-3321 or michaelt@whistleblower.org to discuss your giving options.