[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 54 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CHILD INTERSTATE ABORTION NOTIFICATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. LYNN A. WESTMORELAND

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2005

  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer my support for 
an important piece of legislation on which I was unable to vote due to 
the birth of my granddaughter.
  During my absence, the House considered the Child Interstate Abortion 
Notification Act (H.R. 748) which I co-sponsored, and strongly support. 
There is no question that we must protect young women from being 
coerced into obtaining abortions. As the testimony and advertisements 
made available through the committee process have clearly demonstrated, 
many clinics deliberately target minors in order to avoid parental 
notification and consent laws in their home states.
  In order to protect the enforcement power of each state's laws and 
these young women, I am thrilled the House is moving forward with this 
legislation and look forward to its passage. Isolating minors from 
their parents at a time when they need them most is the wrong thing to 
do, and this legislation prevents these out of state clinics from doing 
just that. I am grateful my colleagues supported this important bill 
and opposed all amendments. If I had been present, I would have voted 
against all amendments and in favor of final passage (Roll Call Vote 
#144).
  I know this is an important vote, and I was unable to be present for 
the vote because I have welcomed a new life into the world.
  My son and daughter-in-law have been through a very challenging 
pregnancy, with serious concern that they would lose Kate during the 
early months. We couldn't imagine how terrible that would be, and are 
so grateful that God has provided for the safe delivery of little Kate 
Summerlin Westmoreland. She was born Tuesday, April 26 at Northside 
Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia and weighs in at six pounds, four ounces, 
with a full head of hair!
  I am so blessed to have the family I do, and to enjoy the time 
together with them was worth everything in the world, especially after 
how many challenges accompanied the initial stages of Kate's life.
  I don't know what God has in store for this little one, but am 
excited about what lies ahead of her. I am returning to Washington as 
soon as practicable after her birth, and look forward to getting back 
home to spend time with Kate, her big brother Acton, and her proud 
parents, Trae and Kristy.
  In today's world, so many people rush by without realizing the 
treasure they have in their families. Events like the birth of 
grandchildren help bring those special ones into focus, and remind you 
of the rich blessings God has given.
  Mr. Chairman, it has been an exhausting, but thrilling past few days, 
and I am honored to announce to the House the birth of Kate Summerlin 
Westmoreland.

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