BILL NUMBER: SJR 19	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senators Alquist, Figueroa, and Kehoe
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Bass, Berg, Karnette, Liu, Pavley,
and Saldana)

                        JANUARY 19, 2006

   Relative to the 33rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SJR 19, as introduced, Alquist  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.
   Fiscal committee: no.




   WHEREAS, January 22, 2006, is the 33rd anniversary of the historic
United States Supreme Court decision in Roe v.  Wade (1973) 410 U.S.
113, guaranteeing women'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 has significantly 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 Senate and the Assembly 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
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 Secretary of Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the President of the United States and to all Members
of the Congress of the United States.