PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION -- (House of Representatives - April 04, 2000)

[Page: H1681]

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   (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

   Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support the ban on the procedure called the partial-birth abortion. That name is really a misnomer. It is really a preterm delivery that results in infanticide. I urge my colleagues to be honest and fair, to examine the evidence about what happens during this procedure.

   Dr. C. Everett Koop says this procedure is, quote, never medically necessary to protect a mother's life or her future fertility. On the contrary, he says, this procedure can pose a significant threat to both mother and child.

   The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says, ``There are no circumstances under which this procedure would be the only option to save the life of the mother and preserve the health of the woman.'' Any serious person has to admit that this procedure is unnecessary, it is barbaric and should be banned. Unfortunately, some people are extreme enough in their views that they are willing to defend this procedure under any circumstances.

   Tomorrow, Members of good faith and common sense from both sides will stand together and vote to ban this horrific procedure. I urge all Members to support us.

END