[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 118 (Monday, September 13, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H8103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SUPPORT THE PAIN RELIEF PROMOTION ACT

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, is the Netherlands really ready for killing 
sick children? That is the question currently pending in Holland as 
they consider a bill that would allow the killing of six children as 
young as 12 years old if they are terminally ill. A spokeswoman for the 
Royal Dutch Medical Association said:
  ``The doctor will do his utmost to try to reach an agreement between 
patient and parents, but if the parents do not want to cooperate, it is 
the doctor's duty to respect the wishes of their patient.''
  So much for the Hippocratic Oath for a civilized medical institution.
  This situation in Netherlands gives us all the more reason to work to 
pass the Pain Relief Promotion Act, which disallows the intentional use 
of controlled substances to cause or assist in suicide. At the same 
time it recognizes that using controlled substances to alleviate pain 
and discomfort in the usual course of professional practice is a 
legitimate medical purpose and consistent with public health and 
safety.
  Mr. Speaker, we never want to see a day when our young kids or 
elderly parents legally and intentionally die at the hands of a so-
called doctor. Support the Pain Relief Promotion Act.

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