January 4, 2010

Mr. Mayor,

Friday, January 22^nd is National March for Life, in somber recognition of the anniversary of Roe v Wade. A local pro-life group, Clark County Right to Life has organized an event to educate citizens about this issue. It takes place on Friday, the 22^nd at the county courthouse steps from 1 to 2.

I urge all citizens to recognize and support the sanctity of life. Our Founding Fathers believed that by our very nature of being created in God’s image, humans are special. This is codified in the Declaration of Independence, where it states all men are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Our Founding Fathers were not perfect. Obviously their tolerance of slavery is a black mark upon our history. They deferred that discussion for later. In fact, the Constitution did not allow for any amendment freeing the slaves to be considered until at least 21 years later. Awkwardly, the Founders denied that the Declaration of Independence applied to slaves.

Today, I believe that we awkwardly deny the right to life for millions of unborn men and women.

In 1973, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its ruling in the case of Roe v. Wade, which struck down all anti-abortion laws in every state. The very question of when a life begins though was avoided in the decision. Each person is left to answer for themselves when a life begins.

Despite how polarizing the issue of abortion is, I hope we can all agree that we are all pro-life at some point, and we are all pro-choice at some point. The question is where we draw the line. Some draw the line at conception, and some at birth. Most in between. Regardless of where we draw the line, I believe it is important to contemplate the mystery of human life. This contemplation should lead us to cherish and protect life.

Last month, we had passionate public involvement regarding whether we would continue funding the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society. Special attention was paid to the fact that this shelter is a “no-kill” shelter. I do support humane treatment to animals. However, it is a sad statement that such support and passionate outpouring of public support for animals comes in such contrast with the state of apathy towards unborn humans who equally have done no wrong to others.

The purpose of government, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, is to protect life, liberty, and property (or the pursuit of happiness as they put it). When a government allows torture of political prisoners, or the killing of defenseless humans, it has failed to protect life or liberty. I look forward to the day when that no longer happens in our name. I join with millions of others across America this month remembering that when government fails to protect life, especially of those who cannot voice their objection, we should be ashamed.

I yield the floor.