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KEEPING THE FAITH ACTION ALERT April 28, 2005 H.R. 748 Child
Interstate Abortion Notification Act Members of our delegation voting for the bill include Congressmen John Barrow (D-12), Sanford Bishop (D-2), Nathan Deal (ER-10), Phil Gingrey (R-11), Jack Kingston (R-1), John Linder (R-7), Jim Marshall (D-3), Charlie Norwood (R-9), and Tom Price (R-6). Congressman Lynn Westmoreland was a co-sponsor of the bill, but had an excused absence and did not vote. His reason -- the birth of a new granddaughter, Kate Summerlin Westmoreland! Congratulations to the Westmoreland family! See his remarks to the Speaker below. Those voting against the bill were Congressmen John Lewis (D-5), David Scott (D-13), and Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (D-4). The Senate version (S. 8) will be voted on soon and our Senators, Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson are co-sponsors. When you see our Congressmen and Senators that support this critical bill, please remember to thank them. REMARKS OF CONGRESSMAN LYNN WESTMORELAND ON H.R. 748 Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my support for an important piece of legislation on which I will be unable to vote due to the birth of my granddaughter. During my absence, the House is set to consider the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (H.R. 748) which I co-sponsored, and strongly support. There is no question that we must protect young women from being coerced into obtaining abortions. As the testimony and advertisements made available through the committee process have clearly demonstrated, many clinics deliberately target minors in order to avoid parental notification and consent laws in their home states. In order to protect the enforcement power of each state’s laws and these young women, I am thrilled the House is moving forward with this legislation and look forward to its passage. Isolating minors from their parents at a time when they need them most is the wrong thing to do, and this legislation prevents these out of state clinics from doing just that. I urge all my colleagues to support this important bill and oppose all amendments. I know this is an important vote, and I will be unable to be present for the vote, because I have welcomed a new life into the world. My son and daughter-in-law have been through a very challenging pregnancy, with serious concern that they would lose Kate during the early months. We couldn’t imagine how terrible that would be, and are so grateful that God has provided for the safe delivery of little Kate Summerlin Westmoreland. She was born at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia and weighs in at six pounds, four ounces, with a full head of hair! I am so blessed to have the family I do, and to enjoy the time together with them was worth everything in the world, especially after how many challenges accompanied the initial stages of Kate’s life. I don’t know what God has in store for this little one, but am excited about what lies ahead of her. I am returning to Washington as soon as practicable after her birth, and look forward to getting back home to spend time with Kate, her big brother Acton, and her proud parents, Trae and Kristy. In today’s world, so many people rush by without realizing the treasure they have in their families. Events like the birth of grandchildren help bring those special ones into focus, and remind you of the rich blessings God has given. Mr. Speaker, it has been an exhausting, but thrilling day, and I am honored to announce to the House the birth of Kate Summerlin Westmoreland. ***** FAIRNESS RULE FOR JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS Guaranteed up or down votes on judicial nominations. Guaranteed debate time on judicial nominations. Guaranteed reporting from Judiciary Committee to floor. Guaranteed protection of the legislative filibuster. Both Senators Chambliss and Isakson are in support of the Constitutional Option. Thank you for Keeping The Faith. |