[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 13, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H3979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 7, 2003, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) is recognized 
during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor this afternoon to 
commend my colleagues' attention to a resolution that I will introduce 
today honoring Pregnancy Resource Centers.
  According to surveys of women who have had abortions, 90 percent 
indicate they would have preferred other options had they simply known 
about them. The tragedy and irony in many situations is that most women 
are flooded with the pro-abortion message, but are rarely offered any 
other message of choice. Rather, unknowing clients are led to believe 
that abortion is the only solution to their problem.
  Through costly advertising, young women go into abortion clinics and 
are assured that help is only a few hundred dollars away. Harmful 
consequences of abortions are minimized or simply ignored. Alternatives 
like parenting or adoption are not encouraged. In fact, they are rarely 
mentioned.
  Sadly, it is only later that they learn there are alternatives. 
Desperately trying to spread this message to young women are the 2,500 
Pregnancy Resource Centers across America. Through education and 
support, Pregnancy Resource Centers meet women's emotional and physical 
needs. They provide one-on-one counseling regarding the facts about 
adoption, abortion, and parenting so that the client may make a wise 
and informed decision about her pregnancy. Centers are dedicated to 
helping each woman resolve her situation in a way that equips her with 
better life skills for her future.
  Practical help like parenting classes, support groups, education, and 
job skills classes are offered through many Pregnancy Resource Centers 
as well. Maternity clothes, baby needs, and even temporary housing is 
offered. Some Crisis Pregnancy Centers have full medical services on 
the premises, and unlike abortion clinics, these centers offer support 
for women suffering from postabortion syndrome.
  For those women who have undergone an abortion, the devastation can 
be real and ongoing if she does not receive help. Most centers are 
commited to the healing, body and soul, of women who have suffered from 
an abortion. They offer medical and counseling services and stand 
alongside these women in their healing process.
  Life-affirming pregnancy centers provide an example of love and 
compassion to women and their unborn babies. These centers have been 
upholding the value of all human life, born and unborn, for several 
decades. Women are increasingly turning to these centers for physical, 
psychological, emotional, and spiritual help. They are always treated 
with the utmost dignity and respect and are provided with accurate, up-
to-date information in order to make informed decisions about their 
pregnancy, sexual health, and relationships. Because everyone should 
have access to this information, all services are free of charge.
  I am honored to represent one such center in my hometown of Ocala, 
Florida. The Women's Pregnancy Center has been serving the people 
faithfully of Marion County for 22 years. This center serves nearly 
1,500 women a year of all ages and backgrounds. They serve these women 
and men faithfully and discreetly.
  In today's culture, abortion is too often the first thought for women 
facing unplanned pregnancy, but there are alternatives, and Pregnancy 
Resource Centers can provide them. These centers are not only the most 
strategic and effective, but often the most needed of the forces 
engaged in the defense of the unborn. It is fitting that we recognize 
these courageous and struggling agencies that seek to bring purpose to 
the surprises of life. Never are these needs greatest than in the 
smallest of families, a mother and her growing baby.
  I invite Members to join in providing support for more than 2,500 
Crisis Pregnancy Centers around the United States of America. The good 
work of these centers merits our recognition, and the compassionate 
staff deserve our admiration.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to become an original cosponsor of this 
resolution to demonstrate their support for Pregnancy Resource Centers 
and their tens of thousands of volunteer staff who are encouraging the 
protection and value of all human life in America.

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