Darlene Hooley: “last year, after 3 years of intense debate and two separate ballot measures, the State of Oregon became the first State…”

“last year, after 3 years of intense debate and two separate ballot measures, the State of Oregon became the first State to implement a physician-assisted suicide law. This was not an easy decision for the people of my State. It was the subject of intense debate and media coverage, and the issue was so thorny that the legislature even decided to send it to the voters twice, and both times it was approved. Despite this level of scrutiny in the State of Oregon, the Committee on the Judiciary will begin work today on a bill to overturn the Oregon law. I came to the well today to say that I understand there are a number of Members of Congress who have very personal concerns about this issue. I have deep personal reservations about the concept of assisted suicide; and, as a private citizen, I voted against it at the ballot box and in this House of Representatives. I voted against Federal funding of assisted suicide. But I understand this is not an issue about personal feelings. This is an issue about respecting the judgment of the voters of Oregon. This is about leaving Oregonians' business to Oregonians.”