[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 58 (Thursday, May 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 12, 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

                                 ______


                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 1994

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I have continually voted against Federal 
funding of abortion, and continue to oppose inclusion of abortion 
coverage in health care reform. I have supported the Hyde amendment and 
have worked to draw attention to the abortion policies of the Peoples 
Republic of China and the UNFPA. However, I view this legislation as 
one addressing violence, not abortion.
  After much deliberation, I plan to support this conference report. I 
am doing so because I believe we must respond to the increasing 
violence in this country. Although I do not agree with current law 
regarding abortion, I believe this issue is separate. I will not 
elaborate on the instances of violence which have taken place outside 
abortion clinics. Thankfully, those instances have been rare. I wish to 
state for the record that the overwhelming majority of pro-life 
Americans are not violent and do not condone violence. All the 
reputable pro-life groups have separated themselves from violent 
protest.
  I do not believe this bill restricts the right of peaceable assembly. 
I also believe it is consistent with the first amendment. This bill 
will continue to allow protest and free speech, but it will crack down 
on violence.
  I also believe this bill is much improved over the version the House 
considered last year. This conference report exempts parents and legal 
guardians from the law, thus ensuring that a parent could physically 
stop an under-age daughter from entering an abortion clinic, as I would 
do. Also, I am pleased that the conference report extends this 
protection against violent protest to churches and places of worship. 
Most Americans have been outraged by the increasing numbers of protests 
at or near churches, most notably the desecration of St. Patrick's 
Cathedral in New York, when a Mass was interrupted by gay rights 
activists.
  The question today is not on abortion, that is a separate debate. 
Today, the issue is one of fear of physical violence. Regardless of our 
views on the question of abortion, every citizen should have this 
protection. Violence is not the answer, and violence on any issue must 
be stopped. For that reason, I intend to support the conference report.

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