[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 82 (Thursday, May 27, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4512-S4513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING DR. GEORGE TILLER

  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, 1 year ago this week, Dr. George Tiller, 
a provider of critical reproductive health services, was shot to death 
while at church in Wichita, KS. The anniversary of his death serves as 
a solemn reminder of the violence that reproductive health 
professionals face today.
  Unfortunately, like so many of his colleagues who treat women across 
this country, Dr. Tiller faced years of constant harassment, 
intimidation and death threats. These acts of violence eventually 
culminated in his murder.
  We know, however, that Dr. Tiller's murder is not an isolated 
incident. A pattern of intimidation, threats and violence against 
reproductive health providers exists in this country and must end.
  Since 1993, eight clinic workers have been murdered in the United 
States. During that time period there have been thousands of reported 
acts of violence against providers of reproductive health care 
including bombings, arsons, death threats, kidnappings and assaults. As 
the Tiller murder demonstrates, we simply cannot tolerate any form of 
harassment and threats to health care providers and their patients.
  I remember clearly 10 years ago tomorrow--May 28, 2000--when the 
Concord Feminist Health Center in my home State of New Hampshire was 
the victim of an arson attack. The facility suffered extensive damage, 
costing tens of thousands of dollars to repair. Thankfully, no one was 
injured in the attack. It was not merely the cost of the repairs that 
was so troubling--what was troubling was that this act of hate and 
intimidation left the community feeling fearful and uncertain. No one 
should live with that fear and certainly not because they provide 
critical health care services to women.
  I recently heard the story about a reproductive health center 
director in Colorado who reports that he often wears a bulletproof vest 
in public. He said: ``I walk out of my office and the first thing I do 
is look at the parking garage that the hospital built two

[[Page S4513]]

doors away and see if there is a sniper on the roof. I basically expect 
to be shot any day. . . . It's a war zone. . . . It's very frightening 
and it ruins your life''.
  Now, I recognize that there is a deep divide on the issue of 
reproductive freedom. And I recognize that there are many heartfelt 
feelings on both sides of the aisle and even within my own caucus. But, 
no matter which side of this debate you are on, we should all be able 
to agree that violence is never the answer.
  So today I urge all my colleagues to join me in condemning the kind 
of senseless violence that led to the death of Dr. George Tiller.

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