Rep. Boozman Issues Statement On Presidential Signing of 'Unborn Victims of Violence Act'

HEADLINE: REP. BOOZMAN ISSUES STATEMENT ON PRESIDENTIAL SIGNING OF 'UNBORN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE ACT'

BYLINE: States News Service

DATELINE: WASHINGTON

BODY:
The office of Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark., issued the following statement:

Rep. John Boozman (R-AR) issued the following statement after President George Bush signed legislation protecting pregnant mothers and their unborn children from acts of violence. The "Unborn Victims of Violence Act" - also known as "Laci and Connor's Law" - establishes a law that charges those who injure or kill an unborn child with a separate offense when that crime is committed during a federal offense.

"President Bush took a bold step today. By signing the 'Unborn Victims of Violence Act,' the President reaffirmed that life is precious - regardless of whether that life is in or out of the mother's womb. Horrific acts of violence against a mother and her unborn child are crimes against two lives and must be treated as such."

"Plainly stated, a violent crime against a pregnant woman is a violent crime against her child as well. There is no way around this fact."

"A majority of Americans support 'Laci and Connor's Law.' Polls have found that close to 80 percent of all Americans believe that those whose violent actions that lead to death of a pregnant woman's fetus should be charged with two murders."

"Twenty-nine states, including Arkansas, have laws similar to the "Unborn Victims of Violence Act" on their books. It is my hope that this new federal law will encourage the remaining twenty-one states to act to fill the void."