Mazie Hirono: “since 1996, we have recognized March 10 as Abortion Provider Appreciation Day. I rise today, therefore, in gratitude for…”

“since 1996, we have recognized March 10 as Abortion Provider Appreciation Day. I rise today, therefore, in gratitude for the doctors and healthcare professionals who bravely continue to provide necessary care despite attacks on reproductive rights and abortion providers, to express gratitude for the hard work and commitment of abortion providers and their staff across the country, and in remembrance of those providers tragically lost to extreme anti-abortion violence--providers like Dr. David Gunn. On this day 32 years ago, Dr. Gunn, a dedicated medical professional, was murdered while walking into the clinic where he worked. Dr. Gunn was targeted by an anti-abortion extremist for simply doing his job-- providing crucial, lifesaving care to his patients. Tragically, this kind of violence against abortion providers, patients, and clinics has only increased over the years since his murder and even before. Since the 1970s, there have been at least 11 murders, 42 bombings, 531 assaults, and thousands of other criminal incidents against innocent people, doctors, patients, and staff simply providing or receiving necessary reproductive care. Congress enacted the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act in 1994--more than 30 years ago--to prevent this kind of violence at our reproductive healthcare centers and clinics, and the Justice Department prosecuted people who violated this law.…”