BILL NUMBER: AJR 3	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Cohn

                        DECEMBER 6, 2004

   Relative to the 32nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AJR 3, as introduced, Cohn.   Reproductive rights: Roe v. Wade.
   This measure would memorialize the Congress and the President of
the United States to protect and uphold the intent and substance of
the United States Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, relating to
reproductive rights, and to encourage all Americans to participate in
the national celebration, "The March for Women's Lives," in
recognition of that decision's historic importance in promoting women'
s rights.
   Fiscal committee: no.




   WHEREAS, January 22, 2005, is the 32nd anniversary of the historic
United States Supreme Court decision in Roe v.  Wade (1973) 410 U.S.
113, guaranteeing women reproductive rights, an occasion deserving
of celebration and special public commendations; and
   WHEREAS, The 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade established
constitutionally based limits on the power of states to restrict the
right of a woman to choose to terminate a pregnancy; and
   WHEREAS, Roe v. Wade is one of the most significant Supreme Court
decisions in the 20th century promoting women's rights; and
   WHEREAS, Reproductive rights are central to the ability of women
to exercise their full rights under federal and state law; and
   WHEREAS, It is the right of every American woman to determine
when, if, and with whom to have children, and how many children to
have; and
   WHEREAS, Women's ability to control their reproductive lives has
facilitated their equal participation in the economic and social life
of the nation; and
   WHEREAS, The state should not interfere with a woman's decision to
either bear a child or terminate a pregnancy through a safe and
legal abortion; and
   WHEREAS, Women should not be forced into illegal and dangerous
abortions, as they often were prior to the Roe v.  Wade decision; and

   WHEREAS, During the first half of the 20th century, illegal
abortions accounted for about 50 percent of all maternal deaths; and
   WHEREAS, Roe v. Wade has reduced significantly the mortality rate
for women terminating their pregnancies; and
   WHEREAS, Roe v. Wade continues to protect the health and freedom
of women throughout the United States; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of
California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of California
memorializes the Congress and the President of the United States to
do all of the following:(1) To protect and uphold the intent and
substance of the 1973 United States Supreme Court decision in Roe v.
Wade.
   (2) Encourage all Americans to participate in the national
celebration, "The March for Women's Lives," on April 25, 2005, to
take place in Washington, D.C., in recognition of the Roe v. Wade
decision's historic importance in promoting women's rights; and be it
further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the President of the United States and to all
Members of the Congress of the United States