Jeff Fortenberry: “That is an outstanding point to make. It's something, as I tried to state earlier, that we so take for granted-- our…”

“That is an outstanding point to make. It's something, as I tried to state earlier, that we so take for granted-- our rights of conscience as we exercise them through faith, through prudential judgment in our everyday lives. It has been embedded in our culture and, therefore, in our government until very recently, until this measure has come along and is coercing people unjustly into violating that sacred space, that right of conscience. By the way, this is not just people of faith who are speaking out. Other persons of goodwill can see the fundamental principle here in that, if we erode that, we are eroding something that is essential to human dignity and the very flourishing of democratic ideals, themselves. So thank you for pointing that out. The gentleman from Michigan, if you are ready to speak, I'd love to hear from you. Congressman Walberg is a good friend, who has been here a long time, again, championing these issues, standing up for what he believes to be right and just, and being a good partner in trying, as well, to exercise his rights of good conscience before this body about what is essential and good. So thank you, Congressman Walberg, for coming tonight.”