Posted on 02/11/2004 9:15:37 AM PST by chance33_98
South Dakota House Passes Bill Criminalizing Abortions; Challenge to Roe vs. Wade
/11/04 11:31:00 AM
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To: National Desk, Legal and Congressional Reporters
Contact: Brian Burch of the Thomas More Law Center, 734-827-2001
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 11 /U.S. Newswire/ -- After over two hours of emotional debate, the South Dakota House last night overwhelmingly passed House Bill 1191, 54 to 14. The Bill establishes that life begins at conception and would outlaw abortions in the state making the practice a five year felony. The Bill is designed to have the U.S. Supreme Court reconsider its 1973 decision in Roe vs. Wade which legalized abortions nationwide.
The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan worked closely with South Dakota Rep. Matt McCaulley, chief sponsor of HB 1191, for the last several months both in the drafting and legal strategy of the bill.
Richard Thompson, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Law Center stated. "This is new and unique legislation that has never been considered by the Supreme Court. The Law Center and our Associate Counsel, Harold Cassidy, are pleased we could be of assistance to Matt McCaulley and South Dakota in their efforts to protect the unborn. While we cannot predict the future, we do know that this legislation establishes significant facts that the courts will not be able to ignore."
Rep. McCaulley agreed. "Abortion is an important moral issue that transcends party lines. Protecting unborn human life is something the vast majority of South Dakota residents support, and Democrats and Republicans joined together and passed a bill that will protect unborn human life in our state. We are ready to fight for the right to life, as opposed to waiting for it."
In the preamble to HB1191, the legislature determined that based on the best scientific and medical evidence, life begins at fertilization and that South Dakota's Bill of Rights applies equally to born and unborn human beings. The Bill also finds that abortions impose significant risks to the health and life of the pregnant mother, including significant risk of suicide, depression and other post traumatic disorders.
Approval by the House now sends the bill to the Senate where support continues to be strong. Should South Dakota's pro-life governor sign the bill, the new law would directly confront Roe vs. Wade.
The Bill mandates that physicians make every effort to preserve the life of both the mother and her unborn child. However, it is not a violation of the law if the medical treatment provided to the mother results in the accidental or unintentional death of the unborn child.
Approval in the full House of Representatives came only days after an emotional and tense hearing in the House State Affairs Committee where members heard testimony from doctors, lawyers and post-abortive women from across the country. With passion and tears, several women recounted their personal grief, severe depression, and thoughts of suicide that came as a result of their abortions. After over four hours of testimony, and strong opposition from Planned Parenthood representatives, committee members passed the bill 11-2, sending it to the House where it was approved on Tuesday.
The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes religious freedom, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through education, litigation, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. It depends on contributions from individuals, corporations and Foundations. It is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. The Thomas More Law Center can be reached at 734-827-2001, or visit its Web site at http://www.thomasmore.org.
http://www.usnewswire.com/
Pray that South Dakota's right to defend the right to life will not be attacked by the Constitution-usurping left.
Of course, they'll undoubtedly be overturned by the USSC, but dang! Good for them!
What will make it a non-starter is if they did not address the life of the mother. Without that exception, there is no way it will even be considered. It probably won't anyways. I think chipping away at Roe v. Wade may be the only successful way, although I applaud their effort.
No. Instead the child should be executed for the crimes of his/her father. Obviously...
But he gets re-elected.
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