For the Relief of the Parents of The Parents of Theresa Marie Schiavo

FOR THE RELIEF OF THE PARENTS OF THERESA MARIE SCHIAVO -- (House of Representatives - March 20, 2005)

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Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, on this Sunday, I have looked into my heart and listened to my God in prayer, and spoken to my pastor and other parishioners in church. My decision this evening is an intensely personal one, in terms of life. As a father, husband, grandfather, and son in law, I have searched my soul about what the family must be going through.

As a Member of Congress, I know it is in our hands to offer what is the ultimate hope for this young woman. We cannot guarantee how the courts will rule, but we must offer all avenues for review and hope. We would ask nothing less for any case involving the rights of a person. We must be compassionate about life, the life of all individuals.

This is a tragic situation, but this young woman is not on life support, she is not on a respirator, she is not terminally ill, and she has been deprived of the physical therapy that might allow her to swallow and eat without a feeding tube. To look at her eyes is to see an individual who seems to be experiencing joy and awareness of others.

As a parent, if she were my daughter, I would want her to live, and give her a chance. She has demonstrated the will and the spirit to live. It is right and just that we have a final set of eyes to review the case. The Constitution gives Congress the right to set the jurisdiction of the courts.

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