Richard Gephardt: “the world's population is growing by 90 million every year--that is the equivalent of adding the entire population of…”

“the world's population is growing by 90 million every year--that is the equivalent of adding the entire population of Mexico every year. Family planning is critical for the survival of the planet and the people on it. Overpopulation leads to the suffering of women and innocent children, poverty, and war. There is an unfortunate tendency in this country to reduce important debates concerning reproductive issues to the labels ``pro-choice'' and ``pro-life.'' We will ill serve the citizens of this country and the world if we allow this vote today to fall victim to these labels. First, there is evidence that without family planning, the number of abortions increases. And second, today what we are really doing is voting to ensure that there will continue to be humane and responsible efforts through voluntary family planning services so that the people who live on this planet can live with decency and dignity. The United States has a moral obligation to lead the effort to control population responsibly. And I believe, therefore, that the moral vote today is a vote for the President's resolution.”