FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
July 18, 2007
BROWNBACK, KENNEDY REINTRODUCE PRE-NATALLY AND POST-NATALLY DIAGNOSED CONDITIONS AWARENESS ACT
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) today reintroduced the Pre-natally and Post-natally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act, legislation which would require that families who receive a diagnosis of Down syndrome or any other condition, pre-natally or up until a year after birth, will be given up-to-date information about the nature of the condition and connection with support services and networks that could offer assistance.
"We as a society must offer as much protection as we can to 'the least of these,'" said Brownback. "When a mother receives the news that her unborn child may be born with a disability, she should be supplied with current and reliable information about the many options available for caring for children with disabilities."
The Pre-natally and Post-natally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act would provide for the expansion and further development of a national clearinghouse on information for parents of children with disabilities, so that the clearinghouse would be better equipped to assist parents whose children have recently been pre- or post-natally diagnosed. The bill also provides for the expansion and further development of national and local peer-support programs. The bill also calls for the creation of a national registry of families willing to adopt children with pre- or post-natally diagnosed conditions.
"One of the hardest moments in the life of an expectant mother is when she receives news that she is going to have a child with special needs," said Kennedy. "Access to the best support and information about the condition, and the quality of life for a child born with that condition, can make all the difference to a woman trying to make an informed and difficult decision. I believe this kind of support is a vital element to strengthening a true culture of life in America."
Currently, 90 percent of children pre-natally diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted. That percentage is similar for children pre-natally diagnosed with other conditions such as spina bifida, cystic fibrosis, and dwarfism.
Brownback is a member of the Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committees.
Sam Brownback United States Senator - Kansas 303 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-6521 http://brownback.senate.gov/
Christina thanks you, Senators Kennedy and Brownback! Now THIS is bi-partisanship!!
Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Cause of Our Joy, and my three daughters, the cause of my joy.
6 comments:
Wow!!! Fantastic News! I am so glad you posted this! I was just on the phone with Senator Brownback's office yesterday and didn't even know this. I will post this on my blog also. I handed you an award today on my blog! I hope you don't mind! Check it out! Also, can you re-send your video, I have been looking for it in my saved e-mail's and can't find it! Thank you!
That's great!
Although, I have to say, I am shocked that Ted Kennedy is a sponsor and wants to foster a culture of life.
God does work in mysterious ways!
Mama Says
I don't know why it didn't pass the first time . . . did someone say that they tweaked it a little this time? I hope this one goes through.
IIRC, one of Ted Kennedy's sisters or aunts had Down's Syndrome, or a similar disorder. (I'm not really up on the Kennedy family, but I do remember seeing this once.)
It was his sister Rosemary, she was retarded, and his father Joe had a lobotomy done on her without her mother's consent, to keep her from embarrassing the family. What a tragic story, I'm certain it scarred the children for life.
I didn´t know what you say about Sen. Kennedy´s sister and the lobotomy. But I have only one thing to say and in spanish:
¡Qué animales! Y con perdón de los animales.
j.a.varela
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