Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act which I have sponsored was drafted in response to a nationally orchestrated campaign of violence and vandalism against reproductive health clinics, as well as physical blockades and invasions of clinics. These illegal activities have been preventing women from obtaining health care services and threatening the lives of health care providers. From 1977 to March 1994, more than 1,587 acts of violence against reproductive health providers were reported in the United States, including 37 bombings, 87 arsons, 175 death threats, 91 assaults, 2 kidnappings, 345 clinic invasions, and 1 murder. From January 1992 to March 1994, 79 chemical attacks were reported in 17 States as well, with damages totaling $560,000. And in a nationwide survey in 1993, 50 percent of the clinics responding reported experiencing extreme violence, with 25 percent of those clinics having experienced physical invasions or chemical attacks in 1993 alone. The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act is also in response to the 1993 Supreme Court ruling in Bray versus Alexandria which created a gap in Federal law.”