Rep. Roe discusses the humanity of the unborn child
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Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, as an obstetrician-gynecologist, I have delivered close
to 5,000 babies and strongly support the sanctity of life. Using
technology like the 3-D ultrasound has given us windows to the womb
that show the unborn child as living, breathing, a feeling human
being. I have looked through that window with my own eyes numerous
times, and I have seen human development occur from the earliest
stages of the tiniest embryo all of the way through birth, which
strengthens my conviction in the right to life.
Life is a precious miracle from God which begins at conception. It
is our responsibility and privilege as legislators to protect those
who do not have a voice. I will always fight for the right to life
because it is my conviction that we are all unique creations of a
God who knows us and loves us before we are even conceived.
Tonight we mark one of the most tragic, misguided Supreme Court
cases in our Nation's history, Roe v. Wade. Since 1973, more than 50
million babies have been denied the right to life. We must make our
laws consistent with our science and restore fully legal protections
to all of those who are waiting to be born. If government has any
legitimate function at all, it is to protect the most innocent among
us.
For over 30 years, Congress has prevented taxpayer-funded abortions.
Unfortunately, this door has been reopened with the passage of
ObamaCare, the largest expansion since the pivotal Roe v. Wade
decision. In response, House Republicans in the Pledge to America
vowed to repeal and replace this legislation. I look forward to
working with my new colleagues to ensure this promise is kept. It is
only by making good on this oath that we can expect to restore the
trust that the American people have in their own government and, in
doing so, ensure that the door to taxpayer-funded abortions remains
closed.
I want to congratulate the Hope Center in Greenville, Tennessee,
which is sponsored by the First Free Will Baptist Ministries who
support life. These people do a wonderful job in ministering young
mothers who may be single or married to preserve life.
I am glad to be here on the House floor tonight with my friend and
other legislators fighting for the rights of the unborn. And I want
to thank the gentleman from New Jersey who literally is one of the
leaders and heroes in the pro-life movement. I can't say enough
about Congressman Smith and what he has done to promote this right
to life across the country.
As I was walking over here toward the House floor tonight, I had
some thoughts about children I have delivered. I have seen those
children grow up in my hometown, Johnson City, Tennessee. The beauty
of it is that you get to coach these young kids in Little League
ball and you get to watch them grow up and come to your home and
graduate. The people I have seen have been young doctors and nurses
and teachers and college athletes and newspaper writers and news
directors. All of these young people I have delivered and seen grow
up, and the world would not be a better place if they were not here.
The world would be a much worse place. Think about how many
thousands and tens of thousands and millions of the same people I
just delivered that I watched grow up in my community that are not
here today because of this terrible law.
I do want to mention one thing medically that was brought up a
moment ago about a third trimester abortion to save a mother's life.
Let me make this as clear as any doctor can make anything: There is
no medical indication whatsoever for a third trimester abortion,
period. Let me say that one more time, and I will debate this
anywhere with any doctor in the world: There is no medical
indication on this Earth for a third trimester abortion.
I thank the gentleman. I am encouraged about the degree that the
American people are changing their minds, and I think if we keep
working and talking and explaining and changing hearts, we will
change this terrible law.
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