Ask the Senate to Honor Dr. Tiller
reader diary by Dr. Suzanne Poppema, Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health
June 12, 2009 - 11:21am (Print)
In a resolution that passed 423 to 0, the House of Representatives condemned the murder of my friend Dr. George Tiller. Now it is the Senate’s turn.
Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Amy Klobuchar, and Barbara Boxer have introduced a Senate version of the House’s resolution. They need our help to convince their colleagues to sign on.
But these resolutions are just the beginning. Congress has much more to do.
George’s murder is an extreme example of what happens when the health care system marginalizes reproductive health care.
Women depend on the services of George’s colleagues across the country. Every patient must have safe access to the medical care she needs.
Instead of leaving women’s health on the fringes, Congress must fully incorporate reproductive medicine into health care reform. Our elected officials must protect and support all providers and patients.
Reproductive health care is primary care vital to every woman’s life. Dr. Tiller lived and died by that fact. To keep our nation healthy, Congress must secure reproductive health care for everyone.
Thank you for taking action during this difficult time.
Dr. Suzanne Poppema is the board chair of Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health.
I dont have to explain my self george helped me out approx,19years sgo ,i loved that man for what he did.
REST IN Peace,gods angel.
LOVE YA
LORI KANE
I find your comment offensive and UNGODLY. Dr Tiller was not an angel, he was an abortion doctor that MURDERED innocent unborn children. Children are alive from the MOMENT of conception, and if you ask God to forgive you for what you did all those years ago, He will. As far Dr Tiller, I pray that God has mercy on his soul, because if not, you don't even wann think about where he is right now!
Dr. Poppema--
I'd like to start by sidetracking the purpose of this entry. (I'm sorry!) 'Four Abortion Myths Dispelled' is probably my favorite article I've ever read on this site, a good introduction to what's wrong with popular perceptions of abortion, and it's also very true to my experience working for a reproductive health provider. After reading it, I hunted down your book and read the entire thing over the course of two days. You're one of my personal heroes within the pro-choice movement, and I just wanted to thank you for all the work you do and have done.
Now that I've got the sidetrack out of the way, I'd like to ask-- is there anywhere we can read information more specific about the content of the resolution? Is it just condemning his murder, or is it planning a health care plan as well?
I am not Dr Poppema so can'r respond to your other points but can point you to more info on the resolution:
the House version is here:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/thomas
The senate version is not posted yet but it is different than the House version (and better, IMO).
Good question Airina. Sorry it took so long to get you an answer.
But first, thanks for your kind words about Dr. Poppema!
Here's the resolution that the House passed unanimously:Â
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:h.res.00505:
I also think the Senate resolution is stronger. But it's still uncontroversial. Incredibly, a Republican Senator is using procedural Senate rules to prevent the resolution from coming to a vote. Here's the explanation why that they've given, from an article in the Minnesota Independent:
"The bill says that 'acts of violence should never be used to prevent women from receiving reproductive health care.' The presence of those final three words has spurned anti-abortion forces to reject it saying that to vote for the bill is to 'glorify' abortion."
You can read the entire article here:
http://minnesotaindependent.com/37518/klobuchar-bill-condemning-tiller-murder-faces-gop-opposition
The Senate resolution text and more discussion is on Sen. Shaheen's site and in this RH Reality Check post.
And you can tell your Senators to bring the resolution up for a vote here:
http://prch.org/honor-dr-tiller
Let's do the necessary to support
This is an important issue, please talk to your senators. Thank you for helping get the word out.
I'm glad Congress took this issue up - it is important for reproductive rights, as well as the protection of those who provide reproductive health services.
I'm glad that Congress is supporting Dr. Tiller's memory.
