[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 62 (Wednesday, May 18, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 18, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
        REMARKS ON THE FREEDOM OF ACCESS TO CLINIC ENTRANCES ACT

                                 ______


                             HON. ROD GRAMS

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 18, 1994

  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose the conference report 
on S. 636, the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act [FACE], which 
the House and Senate have recently passed. It is up to President 
Clinton to decide whether or not to sign FACE into law.
  I would urge the President to veto FACE because it undermines the 
intent of the U.S. Constitution by making Federal felons out of 
concerned citizens who are seeking to nonviolently exercise their 
constitutional rights.
  While I do not condone violence in any way, I believe one of the most 
precious rights we have as Americans is the first amendment's ``freedom 
of speech'' clause, which tacitly includes sidewalk vigils, legal 
pickets, and public prayers. To punish one group on the basis of its 
convictions is contrary to the principles upon which America was 
founded.
  Penalties for violating this bill are extremely harsh. Under FACE, an 
abortion clinic can take a prolifer to court without the person being 
convicted of a crime. Those convicted of a second offense could receive 
up to 18 months in prison and fined up to $250,000. This degree of 
punishment is disproportionate to punishment most other acts of 
nonviolent, peaceful civil disobedience receive.
  Mr. Speaker, no group should be given special privileges or 
preferences and no group should be singled out and penalized based on 
their beliefs. Again, I urge the President to uphold the intent of the 
U.S. Constitution by vetoing FACE.

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