[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14151]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON LEWIS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 9, 2003

  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, due to a death in the family, I 
was absent from the House on Wednesday, June 4 and Thursday, June 5. 
Had I been present, I would have voted the following way: rollcall vote 
236--yea, rollcall vote 237--yea, rollcall vote 238--yea, rollcall vote 
239--yea, rollcall vote 240--nay, rollcall vote 241--nay, rollcall vote 
24--yea, rollcall vote 243, H. Res. 256--yea, rollcall vote 244--yea, 
rollcall vote 245--yea, rollcall vote 246--yea, rollcall vote 247--yea, 
rollcall vote 248--yea.
  In particular, I would like to specifically express my strong support 
for H.R. 760, the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003. This has been 
a bill that I have supported for many years and I am glad that it has 
again seen passage in the House. For nearly a decade Congress has 
attempted to see this legislation become law, and I am pleased that my 
colleagues have yet again affirmed the message that partial birth 
abortion is wrong by passing this bill.
  There has been overwhelming support for a ban on partial birth 
abortions. The partial birth abortion ban has been passed in various 
forms by the House eight times, including multiple veto overrides. 
Having been first considered during the 104th Congress, we have seen 
numerous state legislatures take action and vote to end partial birth 
abortions in their states.
  I am pleased that we have acted strongly and unmistakably by voting 
once again to preserve life and ban the heinous practice of partial 
birth abortions. The administration has stated their support of this 
bill and is willing to take positive action and sign this ban into law.
  I understand that the issue of abortion is difficult for many. Well-
intentioned people on both sides of this debate will continue to 
disagree. How long, though, can our society continue to justify its 
denial of the right to life to the defenseless unborn? The value of 
life has been consistently cheapened.
  Partial birth abortion is a graphic example of the worst of abortion. 
Congress has taken a stand to uphold the value of life, especially in 
these instances in which life is so blatantly being destroyed. I am 
pleased that many have acted in support of this legislation. My 
colleagues have continued to support of human life and have voted in 
favor of a ban on partial birth abortions. Had I been present, I would 
have voted ``yea'' on this important bill.

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