TRANSCRIPT: CLINTON ON 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROE V. WADE
USIA
USIS Washington File
22 January 1998
TRANSCRIPT: CLINTON ON 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROE V. WADE
(Says abortions should be legal, safe and rare) (460)
Washington -- The landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision of 25
years ago that affirms every woman's right to choose whether and when
to have a child, has had "a major positive impact on the health and
well-being of American women and their families," President Clinton
said January 22 in videotaped remarks on the anniversary of that
decision.
He said he is "committed to keeping abortions safe, legal, and
accessible -- and to making it more rare," and noted that he has
"fought to continue funding for international family planning,
bringing much needed health care to women all around the world."
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
January 22, 1998
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT IN MESSAGE ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROE V.
WADE
THE PRESIDENT: On January 22, we marked the 25th anniversary of Roe v.
Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that affirmed very woman's
right to choose whether and when to have a child, and in doing so,
affirmed two of our nation's most deeply-held values, personal privacy
and family responsibility.
Over the past 25 years, Roe v. Wade has had a major positive impact on
the health and well-being of American women and their families. Safe,
legal abortion has all but eliminated the dangerous, clandestine
conditions that claim too many women's lives when the procedure was
illegal.
I'm committed to keeping abortions safe, legal, and accessible -- and
to making it more rare. Over the last five years we've led the way on
policies to prevent unintended pregnancy by making comprehensive
family planning and sex education programs more widely available.
We've increased support for Title X family planning services every
year in our budget. And I'll do so again this year.
I fought to continue funding for international family planning,
bringing much needed health care to women all around the world. Here,
at home, by working together with health care professionals, community
groups, schools and family planning agencies, we've made real progress
in reducing teen pregnancy. And I was proud to sign legislation to
protect the rights Roe established by protecting women's clinics from
violence. We have enforced that law to its full extent.
I will continue to do everything I can to make sure that every child
in America is a wanted child, raised in a loving, strong family.
Ultimately, that idea is the anniversary of Roe v. Wade celebrates.
Hillary and I join with all of you in commemorating his milestone and
pledge ourselves anew to protecting the right to choose.
Thank you and God bless you.
(end transcript)