James Barcia: “Today I am wearing a pin given to me by one of my constituents, Luella Britton, from Bay City, Michigan. These tiny feet…”

“Today I am wearing a pin given to me by one of my constituents, Luella Britton, from Bay City, Michigan. These tiny feet that are fully formed are the exact size of an unborn baby's feet at 10 weeks after conception, the first trimester. The procedure we are debating is most often performed during the second or third trimester. In some cases, the baby is fully developed and could survive outside the womb. If modern medical science considers a child delivered at 24 weeks viable, how can we consider his or her counterpart expendable? I agree that individuals should have the right to make decisions that affect their lives. I also strongly believe in the sanctity of life. If 80 percent of abortions in this country are elective, we have to reevaluate the value that our society places on human life. If this decision is not made in the case of rape or of incest, or if the mother's life is not in danger, then this is a selfish decision. At 10 weeks an unborn child's feet are perfectly formed. I ask my colleagues to think of an unborn child at 4 months or 8 months. That child is whole, alive, and in many cases can survive outside the womb. A vote for House Resolution 1122 will protect children. A vote against House Resolution 1122 will end thousands of children's lives.”