BILL NUMBER: AJR 3 AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JANUARY 13, 2005 INTRODUCED BY AssemblyMemberMembers Cohn and Karnette (Coauthors: Assembly Member Bass, Berg, Chan, Chavez, Chu, Evans, Goldberg, Hancock, Jones, Lieber, Matthews, Negrete McLeod, Oropeza, Pavley, Ridley-Thomas, Umberg, and Wolk (Coauthors: Senator Bowen, Escutia, Figueroa, Kehoe, Kuehl, Migden, Ortiz, and Speier DECEMBER 6, 2004 Relative to the 32nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AJR 3, as amended, 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, guaranteeingwomenwomen's 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 hasreduced significantlysignificantly reduced 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 Statesto 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 furtherto protect and uphold the intent and substance of the 1973 United States Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade; 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 .