[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 25, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H1562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE UNBORN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE ACT

  (Mr. RYUN of Kansas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of a bill 
that will protect the inalienable rights of pre-born children. This 
week I will be voting to pass H.R. 503, the Unborn Victims of Violence 
Act. I urge my colleagues to join me on this vote.
  Under current Federal law, when someone commits a crime in which a 
woman and her pre-born baby are harmed, the accused can only be 
prosecuted for harm to the mother. This sends a message that there is 
only one victim in this situation. Nothing could be further from the 
truth. There are two victims involved in this crime, the mother and her 
pre-born child. Twenty-four States already have laws on the books 
protecting unborn life from criminal acts. This bill would simply 
extend the protection to the Federal level.
  We must not ignore the fact that when a criminal harms a pregnant 
woman, there is a small defenseless life that is also a victim. I urge 
my colleagues to join me in voting to protect life, both born and 
unborn.

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