[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 13 (Thursday, January 22, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    36TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROE V. WADE

  Mr. BURR. Mr. President, today, January 22, 2009, marks the 36th 
anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision.
  Today, concerned Americans, including many North Carolinians, are 
gathering on the National Mall to March for Life, and I would like to 
take this opportunity to welcome them to Washington, DC.
  On January 17, 2009, in anticipation of today's events, North 
Carolinians gathered for their annual Rally and March for Life in 
Raleigh.
  I congratulate them on their successful event, and I would like to 
thank them for their efforts to promote a culture of life in America.
  In recent years we have made great strides in protecting the unborn 
through various measures, such as passage of the partial birth abortion 
ban, Lacey and Connor's Law, and tax incentives to enable more families 
to adopt.
  These achievements are a testament to the advocates who work 
tirelessly every day to remind us of the value of life.
  With these achievements and others, it is my sincere hope that my 
colleagues in the Senate will continue to work together to protect our 
children.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. President, today marks the 36th year since the 
Supreme Court issued its decision in the case of Roe v. Wade, a court 
decision that evokes strong emotions all across America. Today, 
thousands of Americans who support life have taken time out of their 
busy schedules to travel to Washington to take part in the ``March for 
Life,'' an annual event on the National Mall. I share their hope for 
seeing the day where the sanctity of life is cherished, valued, and 
affirmed under the law.
  This morning, I had the opportunity to meet with some of these 
individuals, students from Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm 
Beach, and I expressed my gratitude for their steadfast commitment to 
protecting innocent human life.
  As a Nation, we have made significant progress in creating a culture 
that respects life in recent years. As someone who believes that every 
life is sacred, I encourage President Obama to follow the lead of his 
predecessor, and continue to restrict the use of taxpayer funding for 
organizations that perform abortion services or refer patients to 
abortion providers.
  This policy, known as the Mexico City Agreement, was first signed 
into order by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Over the years, the 
policy has been wrongly attacked and falsely characterized as a 
restriction on foreign aid for family planning. The truth is that the 
policy has not reduced aid at all.
  Instead, it has ensured that family planning funds are given to 
organizations dedicated to reducing abortions instead of promoting 
them. If the policy were to be reversed, it would blur the line that 
has been drawn between funding organizations that aim to reduce 
abortions, and those that promote abortion as a means of contraception. 
President Obama should make the right choice in keeping the Mexico City 
Agreement in place.
  In conclusion, on this 36th year since the Supreme Court handed down 
its decision, I commend the leaders of ``March for Life.'' Supporters 
are in Washington today, marching down Pennsylvania Avenue, reminding 
lawmakers of the importance of preserving and protecting life. Their 
voices are heard. They are heard year after year. I hope there is a day 
when their voices are heard in celebration that life is preserved and 
protected by the rule of law.

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