Vermont Business Magazine Today, the House passed HR9, a resolution to commemorate the 44th anniversary of RoevWade and the 52nd anniversary of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, on a vote of 103-31.The resolution urges Congress and state legislatures to preserve the rights protected in Roe vWade and continue to ensure access to essential health care services for Vermonters. It also recognizes Vermont women’s right to access safe, legal abortions, as well as privacy, autonomy, and safety in their personal health decisions.
“We are committed to building a strong future for the next generation and protecting these rights for women and all Vermonters is imperative” said House Speaker Mitzi Johnson.
Representative Maxine Grad, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee and one of the lead sponsors of the resolution, said, “Planned Parenthood provides essential healthcare services to thousands of Vermonters every year. This organization plays a pivotal role in our state’s healthcare landscape. Its work is invaluable to creating healthy communities and supporting workforce development in Vermont.”
ROLL CALL
* Member explained vote on floor. See the House Journal for 1/31/2017 10:33 AM.
RESOLUTION AS INTRODUCED
H.R. 9
House resolution supporting a woman’s right to decide her own reproductive choices, commemorating the 44th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, and the 52nd anniversary of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England
Offered by: Representatives Pugh of South Burlington, Grad of Moretown, Krowinski of Burlington, Ancel of Calais, Bartholomew of Hartland, Belaski of Windsor, Botzow of Pownal, Briglin of Thetford, Brumsted of Shelburne, Buckholz of Hartford, Burditt of West Rutland, Burke of Brattleboro, Carr of Brandon, Chesnut-Tangerman of Middletown Springs, Christensen of Weathersfield, Christie of Hartford, Cina of Burlington, Colburn of Burlington, Connor of Fairfield, Conquest of Newbury, Copeland-Hanzas of Bradford, Dakin of Colchester, Deen of Westminster, Donovan of Burlington, Dunn of Essex, Emmons of Springfield, Gardner of Richmond, Giambatista of Essex, Gonzalez of Winooski, Haas of Rochester, Hooper of Montpelier, Houghton of Essex, Howard of Rutland City, Jessup of Middlesex, Kitzmiller of Montpelier, LaLonde of South Burlington, Long of Newfane, Macaig of Williston, Masland of Thetford, Miller of Shaftsbury, Morris of Bennington, Mrowicki of Putney, Murphy of Fairfax, Ode of Burlington, Olsen of Londonderry, O’Sullivan of Burlington, Partridge of Windham, Poirier of Barre City, Rachelson of Burlington, Scheu of Middlebury, Sharpe of Bristol, Sheldon of Middlebury, Squirrell of Underhill, Stevens of Waterbury, Stuart of Brattleboro, Sullivan of Dorset, Sullivan of Burlington, Till of Jericho, Toleno of Brattleboro, Townsend of South Burlington, Troiano of Stannard, Walz of Barre City, Webb of Shelburne, Yacovone of Morristown, and Young of Glover
Whereas, on January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), established that the U.S. Constitution protects a woman’s right to privacy and limits government interference with medical decisions, and
Whereas, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England has been providing essential health care services to all Vermonters since 1965, and all Vermonters continue to have access to Planned Parenthood’s services at its health care centers regardless of income, and
Whereas, the State of Vermont has set a goal to reduce unintended pregnancies to 35 percent of all pregnancies by 2020, and
Whereas, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England helps individuals and families make responsible choices that contribute to our overall public health, and Whereas, the House of Representatives of the State of Vermont believes that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade ensures that abortion remains a safe and legal procedure for a woman to consider, if and when she needs it, and
Whereas, in 2015, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England staff saw over 18,000 Vermonters who visited for essential health care services, trusted information, and family planning services, and
Whereas, the State of Vermont strives to enhance the health of all its citizens, including women of all ages, and to strengthen individuals and families by encouraging and promoting access to comprehensive family planning services, and
Whereas, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England plays a pivotal role in Vermont’s health care landscape, now therefore be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives:
That this legislative body, on the 44th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and the 52nd anniversary of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, urges Congress and other state legislatures to preserve the rights protected in Roe v. Wade and to preserve access to essential health care services, and be it further
Resolved: That this legislative body reaffirms the right of every Vermont woman to privacy, autonomy, and safety in making personal decisions regarding reproduction and family planning and the right to continued access to safe and legal abortion, and be it further
Resolved: That this legislative body acknowledges and celebrates Planned Parenthood of Northern New England’s 52 years of providing essential, high quality health services to all Vermonters and advocating for and promoting women’s health, and be it further
Resolved: That the Clerk of the House be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Planned Parenthood of Northern New England and the Vermont Congressional Delegation.
Source: Speaker. 1.31.2017