[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 45 (Thursday, March 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E534-E535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    BANKRUPTCY ABUSE PREVENTION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 19, 2003

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 975) to 
     amend title II of the United States Code, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, it is with great regret that I come to 
the floor in opposition to this bankruptcy bill, H.R. 975.
  Last year, I voted for this legislation when it came to the House 
floor when we had reached a deal with strong legislators on the other 
side of the aisle, Representative Hyde and Senator Hatch.
  Unfortunately, the bill that we are voting on today lacks a 
critically important provision which would prevent perpetrators of 
abortion clinic violence from filing for bankruptcy and then avoid 
paying the fines and penalties assessed against them as a result of 
their illegal activity.

[[Page E535]]

  The Bankruptcy Code's central purpose is to provide a fresh start to 
the ``honest but unfortunate debtor.'' These debtors are not honest, 
unfortunate, innocent, or peaceful protestors: They owe fines because 
of their threats and acts of violence against doctors, clinic staff, 
and women.
  The problem is widespread. Since 1977, there have been over 75,000 
acts of violence and/or disruption at the Nation's clinics.
  This includes: 7 murders; 17 attempted murders; 41 bombings; 165 
arsons; 82 additional failed bombing and arson attempts; 370 physical 
invasions of personal and business properties; 942 acts of vandalism; 
100 butyric acid attacks; 557 anthrax threats, of which 480 happened 
since September 11, 2001; 122 assaults; 343 death threats; and 3 
kidnappings.
  Bankruptcy reform is critically important, but without this 
provision, we will be sending a message to perpetrators of health 
clinic violence that they can continue to trample on the rights of 
American women and use violence to do so.
  Without this provision, if someone injures or kills someone outside 
an abortion clinic, they can file for bankruptcy and avoid paying any 
judgements made against them.
  In other words, they are not held financially responsible for 
violating the law. We must stop these people from violating the law and 
we must stop them from finding shelter in bankruptcy.
  It is for this reason that I cannot vote for this bill.

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