Although Chicago's ban on foie gras was rolled back last spring, the man who championed the initial ban campaign is being honored this weekend for his efforts to prevent cruelty to farm animals.
Alderman Joe Moore will receive the "Compassionate Leadership Award," from the animal rights group "Mercy For Animals" at its gala fundraiser Friday night at the Cultural Center.
"It's an honor to recognize compassionate individuals within our community who are working so diligently to protect farm animals from needless cruelty," said Nathan Runkle, MFA's Executive Director. "Chicagoans are opening their hearts to farm animals and recognizing that they deserve our kindness -- just as dogs and cats do."
Moore led the way to the passage of a city ordinance in 2006 which made the sale of the delicacy illegal. The alderman and his supporters claimed that the process of making the dish was cruel and inhumane.
In an article published by The Human Society of America, foie gras is said to be made from "diseased, fattened liver created by force-feeding ducks or geese, which can cause painful bruising, lacerations, sores, and even organ rupture."
After much ridicule and ribbing, including some from Mayor Daley, alderman, in a 37 to 6 vote, overturned the ban in May 2008.
"This is a sad day for good government in Chicago," Moore said at the time.
The New York Times reported that the alderman's constention was that his colleagues had simply been embarrassed by the crush of national attention. "There was a feeling among many that they just didn’t want to deal with this anymore."
