Aderholt Floor Statement on Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act
Aderholt Floor Statement on Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act
WASHINGTON, DC, April 27, 2005 -- Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) today voted in support of the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (H.R. 748), which passed 270 to 157. Shortly before the vote, Congressman Aderholt prepared the following statement to deliver on the House floor:
Remarks as prepared, not necessarily as deliverey.
Mr. Speaker,
I rise today to voice my strong support for H.R. 748. This bill is needed in order to protect our daughters of minor age from those who would seek to harm them or interfere in the parent/child relationship.
In my state, for example, Alabama has a one parent consent or judicial bypass law on the books. Three of the states bordering Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Mississippi have laws that are at least as stringent. The fourth---Florida currently has no parental involvement statute in effect. This means that minor children from Alabama can be taken into Florida to have an abortion with no parental involvement.
Parental involvement does not punish these young women. It was put into place to protect them. In cases where a parent may be abusing the minor child, judicial bypasses have been allowed. Again, this was included as a safety net for the child.
Parental involvement is crucial in all areas of children's lives. In fact, it is mandated in certain circumstances, even those which may seem incidental. But in all cases, it is instituted for the protection of the children.Across the country, officials must obtain parental consent before performing even routine medical services such as providing aspirin, and before including children in certain activities such as field trips and contact sports. States require written parental consent before a minor can get a tattoo or a body piercing. And in Maryland, for example, eleven school systems require a parent's note before sunscreen can be applied to a student. Yet today, people other than parents can secretly take children across state lines for abortions.
I was shocked when I read the position paper from a group opposing this legislation which stated, "In many instances, it [H.R. 748] will actually interfere with how parents choose to raise their children." I fail to see how a bill written to protect the safety of minor girls would hinder what parents want for their children.
I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important legislation and strongly urge my colleagues to support this measure.
http://aderholt.house.gov/HoR/AL04/Newsroom/News+Releases/2005/Aderholt+Floor+Statement+on+Child+Interstate+Abortion+Notification+Act+4-27-05.htm