[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 157 (Tuesday, November 9, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      HONORING DR. BARNETT SLEPIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 9, 1999

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, this past October 23rd marked the one-year 
anniversary of the death of Dr. Barnett Slepian. Dr. Slepian was an 
obstetrician-gynecologist who provided birth control and fertility 
service, delivered babies, and, when needed, performed abortions. One 
year ago Dr. Slepian was shot through the window of his own home in 
Buffalo, New York. A year later, the murder of Dr. Slepian still casts 
a chill on everyone who believes in a woman's right to reproductive 
freedom.
  To this day, I am shocked and saddened by the death of Dr. Slepian. 
For more than a decade, he had bravely stood up to terrorists threats, 
never wavering in his commitment to his patients and to women's 
reproductive health. I salute Dr. Slepian's courage and that of 
reproductive health care workers across the nation. My heartfelt 
condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues.
  A nationwide campaign of violence, vandalism, and blockades is 
curtailing the availability of abortion services and endangering 
providers and patients. Since 1993, three doctors, two clinic 
employees, a clinic escort, and a security guard have been murdered. 
And although clinic protection laws at the state and federal level have 
alleviated some forms of violence against abortion clinics, the 
threats, intimidation, and violence against clinic providers and staff 
continues. This domestic terrorism hinders access to abortion services 
and threatens the lives of those dedicated in ensuring a woman's right 
to choose and therefore, must be stopped.

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