[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 31 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION

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                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 1997

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge support for a vote on 
the disturbing practice of partial-birth abortions.
  Last year, President Clinton vetoed a bill to end partial-birth 
abortions except in the case when the mother's life was in imminent 
danger. In his defense, the President cited the testimony of Ron 
Fitzsimmons, director of the National Coalition of Abortion Providers, 
who claimed that the procedure was used just 500 times when no other 
alternative was possible.
  Just last week, the President's defense was pulled right out from 
under him. Fitzsimmons said he ``lied through his teeth'' about the 
number of times the procedure was performed. Fitzsimmons admitted what 
many had already known--that partial-birth abortions are performed 
frequently and indiscriminately.
  Mr. Speaker, this is not a pro-life or pro-choice vote. It is a 
common sense measure to end a procedure that amounts to infanticide. 
There can only be shame in promoting this horrifying practice.
  I hope we can send this bill again to the President. He should admit 
his error and be thankful of this second chance to do what is right and 
sign this legislation.

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