MEDIA RELEASE CONTACT: David Brownlow

OCTOBER 13, 2006 Ex. Director (503) 307-3851

LIFE SUPPORT

Measure 43 DOES NOT ADVANCE PERSONHOOD

This may come as a surprise to many pro-lifers in Oregon, but LIFE SUPPORT is a pro-life group that does not support the “Parental Involvement and Support Act” Measure 43. We are most concerned that Measure 43 is not only a feeble strike against abortion, but it is NOT pro-life.

LIFE SUPPORT supports parental involvement and support in the lives of children. More specifically, we believe that no medical procedure be performed on an unemancipated minor or ward without the consent of a parent. We believe that no pro-life legislation should include abortion rights language as is in Measure 43 (A person may perform an abortion…). It basically says an abortion MAY take place if an attempt has been made to notify at least one of the parents. This measure codifies abortion in Oregon. That is not pro-life.

The language in a pro-life law should state that a parent's actual notification and consent for all medical procedures on an emancipated or minor ward be required. There should be no tacit approval of abortion as there is in Measure 43.

Measure 43 does not advance the goal of personhood and the fight against abortion. American Life League (www.ALL.org) agrees and says:

“They (parental/consent bills) merely provide a platform for the act of abortion to be regulated. This gives the impression we accept the fact that abortion is legal and are content with mere regulation of a legal action.

Short term, we may see that there is an obstacle placed in front of the path to the abortion facility; but long term, the obstacle may be one that we are placing upon on our own path towards consistent thinking about the evil of abortion.”

In Measure 43, a pregnant teenager may bypass the notification process by going to an administrative judge. LIFE SUPPORT believes that this “judicial bypass” caveat renders the noble purpose of the proposal null and void. The judicial bypass provides a loophole for an abortion. This is an appeasement to abortion supporters, and is not pro-life.

Measure 43 does not require an "actual contact/notification" (such as phone call or contact in person as in most notification laws around the country). There is no document for parents to sign that verifies they have seen a written statement from the abortionist. There is only an attempt to notify that is required in Measure 43. There is no proof that the parents have actually been notified. Some parents might never see the required certified letter because they either were not home and had not picked it up from the post office in time, or the teenager gave an inaccurate home address and the certified letter got lost in the mail. Yet, the abortionist fulfilled his obligation by just sending the certified letter. This is an ineffective form of parental notification for such a serious (and deadly) matter.

LIFE SUPPORT sees a problem with the definition of “abortion” in Measure 43. It is defined as 'the use of a drug or device to intentionally terminate a pregnancy other than to produce a live birth or remove a dead unborn child.' This language leaves room for an abortionist to be allowed to use the drug “digitoxin” (or something similar) that kills the child, but does not expel it. The abortionist would then be allowed to “to remove a dead unborn child". Abortionists have claimed to have done this method! Pro-life legislation should always define abortion as "the direct, willful and intentional killing of a preborn child through any means."

In Measure 43, there is the use of the word “medical "emergency”. LIFE SUPPORT believes that a medical emergency does not exist where requiring a physician to deliberately and intentionally kill a preborn child is necessary. See American Life League’s statement. A true pro-life bill, such as the South Dakota abortion ban, should contain language that addresses what a physician should do to preserve the health and life of the mother. In such a circumstance, the bill directs physicians to treat both the mother and the child and states that if the child accidentally or unintentionally dies in such a circumstance, the physician is not in violation of the statute. The exact clause of the South Dakota abortion ban is as follows:

'No licensed physician who performs a medical procedure designed or intended to prevent the death of a pregnant mother is guilty of violating section 2 of this Act. However, the physician shall make reasonable medical efforts under the circumstances to preserve both the life of the mother and the life of her unborn child in a manner consistent with conventional medical practice.'

Measure 43 does not contain protection for the child.

Ron Saxton says he supports Measure 43. Sadly, we feel that Measure 43 was not an attempt to limit abortions, but was a political move to get pro-life votes for a pro-abortion candidate. See www.lifesupportoregon.org/ortl_endorse.htm.

LIFE SUPPORT believes pro-lifers in Oregon should make strong and all efforts to end abortion, not regulate it. We should not resign ourselves to living with the endless murder of children with “parental notification” as a consolation. True pro-lifers should have more courage and diligence than that.

Vote "No" on Measure 43. It does nothing to advance personhood.

No Abortions – No Excuses

LIFE SUPPORT

P.O. Box 2965

Clackamas, OR 97015