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| June 4, 2009 |
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As a legislator this past session I considered it an honor to be able to advocate for legislation designed to protect unborn children. We must do what we can to protect those who have no audible voice in our society and yet possess the exact same right to life, liberty, and happiness that you and I do. When President Obama visited Notre Dame and gave this year's commencement address, I couldn't help but note the sad irony of his visit. On the one hand he was present to commend graduates on their entry into the world beyond school, a world where they will find more opportunities to live up to their calling and to fulfill their dreams. On the other hand he did all of this while holding to the belief that unborn human life is worth less than life outside of the womb. To the President, an unborn child is something to be discounted, regarded as less than equal to other humans, and not entitled to the legal protections that that rest of us enjoy. He often speaks of equality and the need to insure that all Americans have a fair chance at moving ahead in life and living out their dreams. But one cannot speak credibly of equality if they believe one person’s equality comes at the expense of another’s rights. Prior to this past session of the General Assembly, Indiana law regarded some unborn children as less equal to children outside of the womb in cases of murder or attempted murder. If an unborn child under the age of 7 months in the womb died because of a murder, attempted murder, or violent assault on the mother, that child was not counted as a second victim of the crime. This meant that criminals could assault pregnant women without fear of being held accountable for two victims if the unborn child was under a certain age.
By closing this loophole in the law, legislators not only strengthened our state's criminal law statutes, but they also said that an unborn child does have some rights regardless of its age or development. This is a tremendous step forward and I am proud to have been part of this effort. On July 1st of this year, less than a month from now, this law SEA 236, goes into effect.
It is time for our state, our country, and our society to stop trying to explain away the rights of unborn children. As I serve in Indianapolis I will continue to work towards the day when each and every human being in our state is recognized in the eyes of the law as being entitled to the same rights and freedoms that so many of us enjoy. Our progress may not always be fast, but it will be the steady onward advancement of a movement that seeks to expand freedom and promote liberty. Sincerely, Wes |