Pelosi's Remarks at the March for Women's Lives Rally

April 25, 2004

Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke this afternoon at the March for Women's Lives Rally. Below are her remarks (as prepared):

"Good afternoon! What a beautiful sight you are! I see mothers . . . daughters . . . grandmothers . . . entire families! This is a march of the generations, by the generations, and for the generations!

"As a leader in Congress, it is my honor to welcome you to Washington. Your presence here speaks eloquently of the urgency of speaking out for a woman's right to choose.

"For us, this is personal! I am not only a leader in Congress. I am a mother of five, and a grandmother of five. And we are here to say that a woman's right to make her own reproductive decisions is not only pro-choice...it's pro-children! It's pro-family! It's pro-Constitution! It's pro-freedom!

"As a mother, I know the sacred and blessed choice of life. That decision does not belong to the politicians. It is ours to make - as women, with our families, our physicians, and our faith.

"As a grandmother, I want my children and grandchildren to grow up in a society that respects their rights and values their health. The right to plan for healthy families! The right to privacy! The right to choose! These are fundamental American rights to be preserved for all time, for all generations!

"My friends, Roe v. Wade is the law of the land, but the Supreme Court needs only one more vote to overturn it. Today, I see one million reasons to preserve it!

"But the fight goes beyond Roe v. Wade. As one who has been engaged in this fight in Congress for 17 years, I know firsthand that the anti-choice extremists now in control are not only against Roe, they are opposed to:

• Basic contraception,
• Sex education,
• and International family planning and reproductive health services.
  

"Later, my Democratic colleagues in the Congress will say more about the urgent battles we are fighting. They are here to show our support for you.

"Your presence is so critical today. Know your power! And use it! Every step you take today is a step for freedom. Today is not the end of the struggle.

Thank you for standing up for a woman's right to choose!

"Thank you for fighting for reproductive freedom!

"Thank you for marching for women's lives!

"For our mothers! For our daughters! For our families! For our freedom!

"God bless you. And God bless America."

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