[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 16, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             MARCH FOR LIFE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Alabama (Mrs. Roby) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, 45 years ago this month, the Supreme Court of 
the United States offered its infamous Roe v. Wade decision that 
legalized abortion on demand in this country. While many abortion 
activists celebrate this anniversary as a victory for so-called women's 
health, it represents a particularly somber occasion for those of us 
who advocate for life.
  Since that 1973 ruling, more than 60 million unborn children in this 
country have had their lives terminated by abortion. To say this is a 
tragedy is an understatement--60 million.
  Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that I am unapologetically pro-life. I 
believe that life begins at conception and that we should work harder 
to build a culture that values life at every stage.
  While not everyone shares my convictions about life or on certain 
policies surrounding rights of unborn children, our pro-life momentum 
is still strong. This Friday, thousands of Americans will gather just 
outside of this building at The National Mall to participate in this 
year's March for Life, an annual event where the pro-life community 
comes together to advocate for the lives and rights of unborn children. 
Some of the activists gathered here on Friday will have traveled from 
Alabama's Second District, as far as 900 miles, to stand up for life.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to send a message to 
the thousands of pro-life marchers, especially those from southeast 
Alabama I have the privilege of representing in Congress:
  Thank you. Thank you for your dedication to this most worthy cause. 
It is our responsibility to speak out for those who cannot speak for 
themselves. I am deeply grateful for your commitment to this incredibly 
important duty, and I, along with my pro-life colleagues here in 
Congress, stand with you.
  My promise to you is that I will continue to use this seat in 
Congress that I have been given to be a vocal advocate for the unborn. 
I will continue to join you in defending the defenseless. Our momentum 
is strong, especially during this time each year, but our work is far 
from being complete. I won't stop fighting until our laws and policies 
protect life at every stage, and I hope you won't either.

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