[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 4, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H2522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NO APOLOGY REQUIRED

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, last week, several 
Members of this body issued statements criticizing Presidential adviser 
Karen Hughes, demanding an apology for comments she made on April 25, 
2004. Unfortunately, my colleagues have distorted her remarks into a 
misrepresentation of her actual sentiment, which I fully support.
  In a live interview on CNN on April 25, Ms. Hughes is quoted as 
saying, ``I think after September 11 the American people are valuing 
life more and realizing that we need policies to value the dignity and 
worth of every life.
  ``And President Bush has worked to say, let's be reasonable, let's 
work to value life, let's try to reduce the number of abortions, let's 
increase adoptions.''
  She goes on to say, ``Unfortunately our enemies in the terror 
network, as we're seeing repeatedly in the headlines these days, don't 
value any life, not even the innocent and not even their own.'' That 
was on CNN ``Late Edition,'' April 25, 2004.
  In response to her words, some of my colleagues have accused Hughes 
of equating those who support abortion with terrorists. They have 
requested an apology for this alleged use of ``cheap and distasteful 
politics.'' I find this gross misrepresentation of Ms. Hughes' comments 
disgusting and firmly stand behind her words.
  Mr. Speaker, this demand for an apology is simply a political ploy 
designed to damage the pro-life movement and to promote the abortion 
industry and their pursuit of increased abortions. Abortion is a money-
making business, and the pro-abortion movement will take any chance 
they can to derail those who promote life.
  Planned Parenthood's budget for fiscal year ending June of 2002 
showed total revenue of $692.5 million, and they had a profit of $12.2 
million for that 1-year period alone.
  Personally, I would like to thank Karen Hughes for her words because 
she was right; and, no, I will not apologize.

                              {time}  1945

  Although Mrs. Hughes did not insinuate that these groups were 
terrorists, I find it amazing that these pro-abortion groups, like 
Planned Parenthood, have the gall to claim that they are ``offended'' 
at this accusation.
  Offended? Let me read to you some of the signs that were displayed at 
the pro-abortion rally in DC a few weeks ago. These were signs that did 
not make it to the mainstream newspaper. From World Magazine, May 8 
edition, their signs read, ``Abort Bush. We are pro-choice and we riot. 
Keep Bush's hands out of my pants.''
  Offended? I am personally offended as every American should be. And 
these groups claim to speak for all women. It is these very same groups 
that have repeatedly called pro-life groups like Concerned Women for 
American ``terrorists.'' Yes, Planned Parenthood likes to use the word 
``terrorist'' any time they deem it politically useful.
  Recently, I saw on Planned Parenthood Federation's Web site a page 
entitled ``Eye on Extremism,'' and under the heading titled 
``Terrorists and Extremist Organizations'' was a detailed listing of 14 
leading pro-life organizations.
  I am familiar with the majority over these groups and it is clear 
that Planned Parenthood is simply working on a smear campaign.
  So I have a question for Planned Parenthood: How can such a claim be 
made against Hughes, an unsubstantiated claim I might add, when groups 
advocating family and pro-life policies are branded as extremists and 
terrorists? Planned Parenthood, are you going to apologize for these 
groups for, as you put it, ``cheap and distasteful politics.''
  A national Right to Life poll has indicated growing opposition to 
abortion; 56 percent of women, 62 percent of African Americans, 79 
percent of Hispanics, 61 percent of 18 to 29 year olds reject abortion 
in most circumstances. Americans recognize the value of life.
  As Mrs. Hughes stated, in the post-9-11 world, we as Americans have 
placed a greater emphasis on the value of life. We grieve for the loss 
of every soldier in Iraq and Afghanistan, cling tighter to our close 
friends and family, and are more conscientious of our personal and 
national security. Additionally, we celebrate the birth of every baby 
and adoption of every child into a loving family because we value each 
life.
  Mrs. Hughes' comments in the April 25th interview were right on 
target.
  The demand for an apology is absurd, and I would like to know if 
Planned Parenthood is going to apologize to the groups that they list 
as terrorists on their Web site. I doubt it, because each child saved 
from an abortion is money that the abortion industry will not get. And 
that, unfortunately, is what this is all about.

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