BILL REQ. #:  H-2238.1 

Read first time 02/26/09.   Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness.

     TO THE HONORABLE BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE GOVERNOR OF EACH STATE, AND TO THE LEADER OF EACH BODY OF EACH STATE'S LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, The life affirming impact of medical pregnancy resource centers on the women, men, children, and communities they serve is considerable and growing; and
     WHEREAS, Medical pregnancy resource centers serve women in Washington and across the United States with integrity and compassion; and
     WHEREAS, More than 2,500 medical pregnancy resource centers across the United States provide comprehensive care to women and men facing unplanned pregnancies, including resources to meet their physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs; and
     WHEREAS, Medical pregnancy resource centers offer women free, confidential, and compassionate services, including pregnancy tests, peer counseling, 24-hour telephone hotlines, childbirth and parenting classes, referrals to community, health care, and support services; and
     WHEREAS, Many medical pregnancy resource centers offer ultrasound and other medical services; and
     WHEREAS, Many medical pregnancy resource centers provide information on adoption and adoption referrals to pregnant mothers; and
     WHEREAS, Medical pregnancy resource centers encourage women to make positive life choices by equipping them with complete and accurate information regarding their pregnancy options and the development of their unborn child; and
     WHEREAS, Medical pregnancy resource centers provide women with compassionate and confidential peer counseling in a nonjudgmental manner, regardless of their pregnancy outcomes; and
     WHEREAS, Medical pregnancy resource centers provide important support and resources for women who choose childbirth over abortion; and
     WHEREAS, Medical pregnancy resource centers ensure that women are receiving prenatal information and services that lead to the birth of healthy infants; and
     WHEREAS, Many medical pregnancy resource centers provide grief assistance for women and men who regret the loss of their children from past choices they have made; and
     WHEREAS, Many medical pregnancy resource centers work to prevent unplanned pregnancies by teaching effective abstinence education in public schools; and
     WHEREAS, Federal and state governments are increasingly recognizing the valuable services of pregnancy resource centers through the designation of public funds for such organizations; and
     WHEREAS, Medical pregnancy resource centers operate primarily through reliance on the voluntary donations and time of caring individuals who are committed to caring for the needs of women and promoting and protecting life;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the President, Congress, governors, and state legislatures strongly support medical pregnancy resource centers in their unique, positive contributions to the individual lives of women and men and of babies, both born and unborn.
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the President, Congress, governors, and state legislatures commend the compassionate work of tens of thousands of volunteers and paid staff at medical pregnancy resource centers in Washington and across the United States.
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the President, Congress, governors, and state legislatures encourage the federal and state government agencies to grant medical pregnancy resource centers assistance for medical equipment and abstinence education in a manner that does not compromise the mission or religious integrity of these organizations.
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the President, Congress, governors, and state legislatures disapprove of the actions of any national, state, or local groups attempting to prevent medical pregnancy resource centers from effectively serving women and men facing unplanned pregnancies.
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States, the Governor of each state, the leader of each body of each state's legislative assembly, each medical pregnancy resource center in Washington, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.