Stutzman Speaks to Roe v. Wade Anniversary

Statement

On the evening of Wednesday, January 19, 2011 Congressman Stutzman (IN-03) went to the floor of the House to memorialize those that have been lost in the 38 years since the Roe v. Wade ruling. The statement from the Congressional Record follows:

"Today, I rise that we remember the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and, more importantly, the millions of innocent lives taken since 1973. In 2008 alone, there were over 1.2 million abortions, that is 3,315 innocent unborn children per day, 138 per hour, about 2 every minute. While I have no doubt that future generations will place Roe alongside the terrible Dred Scott decision, I know there is much unfinished work before us. All of that work begins with a single inquiry. Mr. Speaker, a simple question forms the cornerstone of a national debate: when does human life begin? Without the answer, we are left with empty rhetoric and euphemisms.

So I ask: when does human life begin? This question is not a lofty philosophic endeavor. Science has already given the answer. Advances in molecular biology underscore the undeniable fact that life is present from the moment of fertilization. That life is fully human and infinitely valuable. Those who willfully ignore reality ought to remember the admonition of our second President John Adams: "facts are stubborn things…" Because a unique human life begins at the moment of fertilization, it is our solemn duty to defend the unborn, to speak-up for the weak, to continue with firmness in the right. I proudly support H.R. 212, the Sanctity of Human Life Act, which defines human life accordingly and affirms that each State has the authority to protect the lives of all human beings. We take up this charge because we are still dedicated to the proposition that all are created equal. All possess the unalienable right to Life."

Audio and Video of the floor speech can found on C-SPAN at:

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary/clip.php?appid=599432508.

Congressman Stutzman represents the 3rd Congressional District of Indiana and serves on the House Committee on Agriculture, the House Committee on the Budget and the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. Indiana's 3rd District contains all of DeKalb, Kosciusko, Lagrange, Noble, Steuben, and Whitley counties; as well as parts of Allen and Elkhart counties.

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