[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 55 (Monday, May 9, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
CONFERENCE REPORT ON S. 636, FREEDOM OF ACCESS TO CLINIC ENTRANCES ACT 
                                OF 1994

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. CARDISS COLLINS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 1994

  Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of S. 636, the conference report for the Freedom of Access to Clinic 
Entrances Act. This bill is urgently needed in order to protect 
thousands of Americans who are being terrorized, harassed, and 
prevented from exercising their legal rights.
  S. 636 makes it a Federal crime to obstruct access to an abortion 
facility. This new law is needed because, unfortunately, despite the 
fact that abortions are legal in this country, a small and fanatic 
group of people have taken it upon themselves to determine whether or 
not other Americans will be able to exercise their legal rights to 
obtain an abortion. They are using vicious harassment and violence to 
make sure that the doctors, healthcare workers and women who work at 
healthcare facilities or use their services are not able to function 
without fear for their safety. Not only are their tactics frightening 
and offensive, but they are also illegal and S. 636 clearly establishes 
that their acts are in violation of Federal law.
  During the past decade, the number of incidents of violence occurring 
outside health facilities has swelled out of control. In my district in 
Illinois, the Planned Parenthood/Chicago Area's Midwest Center has been 
attacked repeatedly by protesters who have injected the noxious 
chemical butyric acid into the clinic and chained themselves together 
to ``counsel'' the women seeking health services at their facility. 
Other clinics throughout the Chicago metropolitan area have suffered 
repeated harassment as well.
  While we discuss this bill, its important to remember who the victims 
of these attacks are. Many women, including many of my constituents, 
have no health insurance and live below the poverty line. Clincs like 
Planned Parenthood are their main source of affordable health care. Yet 
these women, whether they are going to the clinic for an abortion, an 
HIV test, prenatal care, or to obtain contraceptive services to prevent 
pregnancy, are being blocked from entering the clinic through threats, 
violence, and intimidation.
  The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act would put an end to 
this terror and mob rule by making it a Federal offense to use force, 
threat of force, or physical obstruction to intentionally injure, 
intimidate, or interfere with someone seeking, or providing, 
reproductive health services or to destroy the property of a health 
service facility. This carefully worded legislation bans violence and 
harassment, but not simple speech and assembly, to protect American 
women, doctors, and health care workers from violent prosecution. It's 
time for the criminal terror to end and S. 636 is exactly the weapon we 
need to end it. I urge my colleagues to join me and pass this important 
bill.

                          ____________________