James T. Callahan: “let me reemphasize how important it is that this resolution be brought to the floor today and how proud I am that those…”

“let me reemphasize how important it is that this resolution be brought to the floor today and how proud I am that those of you that are responsible have taken the initiative to bring it to the attention of the Congress. We have a program in Mobile that is quite unique. It is a program that already is in effect. It was started by a television reporter in my district. Jodi Brooks of WPMI-TV, Channel 15, helped develop a program that allows a woman with an unwanted newborn to take her baby to an area's hospital emergency room, hand it over to a doctor or a nurse and walk away, no questions asked. It is completely confidential. The district attorney's office has agreed not to prosecute anyone who uses this program as long as the baby is not harmed. If a newborn is left at the hospital, the Alabama Department of Human Services will seek protective custody and attempt to locate an appropriate resource within the community. The department will assess viable alternatives for placement, including appropriate relative resources. The newborn will be released from the hospital as soon as medical clearance is obtained and an appropriate home is found. As a result of the Secret Safe Place for Newborns program, many babies have already been served in Mobile, Alabama. Since the program began at the end of 1998, no dead babies have been found in Mobile or the surrounding areas. Moreover, at least four babies have been brought in by their mothers for adoption.”