Archives of the Mayor's Press Office
Date: January 22, 1998
Release #034-98
| Contact: Colleen Roche/Brenda Pérez (212) 788-2958
MAYOR GIULIANI COMMEMORATES THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROE V. WADE SUPREME COURT DECISION
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision guaranteeing a woman’s constitutional right to privacy. At a press conference at City Hall, the Mayor was joined by Kelli Conlin, Executive Director of the New York State Affiliate of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL/NY); Irwin Schneiderman, NARAL Foundation Board Chair; Barbara Schack, NARAL/NY Board Chair; State Senator Roy M. Goodman, Council Member Andrew Eristoff; and Assemblyman John Ravitz. "Twenty five years after the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, its impact is as significant as ever," Mayor Giuliani said. "This decision has precluded government from interfering with a woman’s Constitutional rights. "I take this opportunity to restate the commitment of the Administration to protect women’s right to seek reproductive health advice and services if that is their choice," the Mayor concluded. Ms. Conlin said, "The 25th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade is an important time to remember the values that define the right to choose, and to applaud New York’s important role in leading the nation in regard to reproductive health. The Roe decision transformed abortion from a criminal act to a legal medical procedure, allowing doctors to provide this important medical service to women, without fear of criminal prosecution. Women were finally spared the humiliation of back alleys, and the fear of death due to unsafe, unsanitary procedures. Ms. Conlin continued, "New York City has renewed its commitment to reproductive health care for women consistently, most profoundly in 1994 with the enactment of the Clinic Protection Act, which has dramatically reduced the incidence of violence and harassment of women entering health facilities." With more than 50,000 members, NARAL/NY works in the political arena to protect women’s access to safe reproductive health services, and to expand the reproductive rights available to women.
|