Marlin Stutzman: “Thank you and thank you to my colleagues for bringing this very, very important issue to the House floor this evening. I…”

“Thank you and thank you to my colleagues for bringing this very, very important issue to the House floor this evening. I appreciated all the other comments that have already been made. Having the opportunity to serve as the chairman in public policy back in Indiana, I do remember the time when my wife and I were expecting our second born. When we were dealing with pro-life legislation in Indiana, and having the opportunity to go home and to see the ultrasounds of our second-born son was quite the experience. And I know that with the anniversary of Roe v. Wade coming up, this is an issue that is on a lot of hearts and minds of Americans across the country. So today I rise as we remember the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, but more importantly the millions of innocent lives taken since 1973. In 2008 alone, there were over 1.2 million abortions; that is 3,315 innocent unborn children per day, 138 per hour and about two every minute. While I have no doubt that future generations will place Roe v. Wade alongside the terrible Dred Scott decision, I know that there is much unfinished work before us. All of that work begins with a single inquiry. Mr. Speaker, a simple question forms the cornerstone of a national debate: When does human life begin? Without that answer, we are left with empty rhetoric and euphemisms. So I ask: When does human life begin? This question is not a lofty philosophical endeavor. Science has already given us the answer.”