Legislation Seeking to Criminalize Ultrasounds without Doctor's Order Moves in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD -- Pro-abortion forces won a victory in the Illinois House Wednesday as State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan (R-Park Ridge) successfully passed HB 2492 which would make it a criminal offense for an ultrasound to be administered without a doctor's order

Mulligan said that Planned Parenthood and the Illinois State Medical Society encouraged her to sponsor the legislation because there was a concern about long exposure of fetuses to ultrasound waves.

"There's a new little industry that does ultrasound videos on babies before they're born for entertainment purposes," the Cook County legislator told her colleagues. "There is concern about the neurological development with long exposure."

When asked by State Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Wheaton) whether or not it would effect crisis pregnancy centers who have recently begun doing ultrasounds on women considering abortion, Mulligan said she wasn't familiar with the practice in those agencies, and deferred a clear response.

"I am assuming those agencies have doctor's orders to perform the ultrasounds, so I don't know whether this would change their policies or not," she responded.

Mulligan, who is a strong abortion advocate, said that an ultrasound should not be done for political reasons to make anyone change their minds about any particular purpose.

Hultgren called the proposal "disconcerting" that the bill was being promoted as a minor bill. "This is very serious," Hultgren said. "I encourage everyone to vote no. A person shouldn't be charged as a criminal for doing a two minute ultrasound on an expectant woman."

State Rep. Coreen Gordon (D-Kankakee) asked for specific studies indicating the harm an unborn baby would face for prolonged exposure to ultrasound.

Mulligan said that the Federal Drug Administration had warned that muscle and nerve development could be affected by long exposure.

"We should be concerned about the long term health of the fetus," Mulligan, who has voted against a ban on partial birth abortion, said.

The legislation would make it a Class A misdemeanor for an ultrasound to be performed without a doctor's orders.

It now moves to the Illinois Senate, where it will go through committee before a floor vote.

Isn't THIS list interesting? I found it on the planned parenthood website. So, basically Illinois really has no REPUBLICAN representatives?

Republican Congressman Weller....our Congressman, is basically what I like to call...an OFFICE PLANT!

He does absolutely NOTHING! He didn't even bother to vote on the terri Schiavo matter.

Planned Parenthood
Legislator Spotlight

Table Of Contents:
Rob Simmons (R-CT)
Rep. Jim Greenwood (R-PA)
Rep. Carl J. Domino
Rep. Rosemary Mulligan
State Rep. Mary Rogeness
Senator John Schwarz, M.D.
Senator Mary Small
Senator Nicolas A. Spano

The Legislator Spotlight section is our way of recognizing Republicans in office who are committed to protecting reproductive rights and improving health care for women in their states and across the country. Listed below are legislators we have honored for their outstanding work in public service.

If you would like to recommend that we spotlight a Republican legislator from your state who is doing an exceptional job and deserves recognition, please e-mail republicansforchoice@ppfa.org. Your opinion counts!

Rob Simmons (R-CT)

Representative Rob Simmons, from Connecticut's Second District, has been a relentless defender of choice since he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000. Despite having to vote repeatedly on anti-choice bills put before him by leadership, his determination to protect women's rights and the reproductive health of all has never been shaken. Rep. Simmons has voted against every anti-choice piece of legislation sent his way. He has cosponsored important pro-active bills such as the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies bill and the Emergency Contraception Education Act.

Simmons is a decorated Vietnam veteran with two Bronze Stars. In 1969, he joined the Central Intelligence Agency, working as an operations officer for a decade, including five years overseas in East Asia. In 1979, Simmons left the CIA to join the staff of Sen. John H. Chafee (R-RI). He was subsequently named staff director of the Select Committee on Intelligence by Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-AZ), a position he held until February 1985.

Rep. Simmons is a graduate of Haverford College and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. He was a visiting lecturer at Yale University from 1985 to 1995, a teaching assistant at the University of Connecticut from 1988 to 1991, and remains an associate fellow of Berkeley College at Yale. Prior to running for Congress, he represented Stonington and North Stonington in the Connecticut General Assembly for five terms.

In addition to working on important women's issues in his home state, Simmons worked to reduce taxes and rebuild the state university system. In April 2004, Rep. Simmons received the Planned Parenthood Republicans for Choice Barry Goldwater Award, which honors a Republican for courage and leadership in promoting policies that enable women to make private decisions about their reproductive lives.

Rep. Simmons will no doubt be one of the leading Republicans on reproductive health issues in this 109th Congress. We look forward to working with him and his staff this year in efforts to prevent anti-choice legislation from moving forward.

Rep. Jim Greenwood (R-PA)

Rep. Jim Greenwood (R-PA) has been one of Planned Parenthood's heroes because of his unrelenting support of reproductive freedom, and his work with other moderate Republicans has been critical to our efforts. We were saddened to hear of his planned retirement from the U.S. House of Representatives but wish him well in his new career as an advocate for the biotechnology industry.

Since 1992, Rep. James C. Greenwood has represented Pennsylvania's Eighth Congressional District, which currently includes all of Bucks County and portions of Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties. He has never wavered from his commitment to choice and has been a lead sponsor on virtually every choice bill that has been introduced in the House, including the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act, the Putting Prevention First Act, and the Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act. Rep. Greenwood has been especially outspoken in his support for stem cell research and family planning funding. In addition, he has been a strong supporter of international family planning, and has traveled to Kenya with representatives of Planned Parenthood of Bucks County under the auspices of the Planned Parenthood Global Partners® program.

Rep. Greenwood, a lifelong resident of Bucks County, graduated from Dickinson College in 1973 with a BA in Social Work. From 1977 until 1980, he worked as a social worker with abused and neglected children at the Bucks County Children and Youth Social Service Agency. He served six years in the Pennsylvania General Assembly (1980-86) and six years in the Pennsylvania Senate (1986-1993) before going to the U.S. House.

Rep. Greenwood has been one of our most reliable friends of choice on the hill. We will continue to work with him as he transitions to his new position as president of the Biotechnology Industry Organization.

Rep. Carl J. Domino

RFC travels south to hot and sunny Florida to highlight our summer pro-choice legislator. Rep. Carl J. Domino (R-FL) was a dependable advocate for choice during this legislative session and is one of our few Republican allies left in the Florida House of Representatives. During his first session as a state legislator, Rep. Domino consistently voted to support reproductive choice for women and access to reproductive health care.

First elected in November 2002, Rep. Domino represents District 83, covering part of Palm Beach County. He is vice chairman of the Insurance Committee and a member of the Subcommittee on Health Access and Financing, the Subcommittee on Claims, the Select Subcommittee on Worker's Compensation, the Select Committee of the Whole, the Subcommittee on Health Appropriations, and the Judiciary Committee. An investment manager and founder of Carl Domino Associates, now known as Northern Trust Value Investors, he received a B.S. in accounting from Florida State University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

According to Helen Reid, vice president for public affairs, Planned Parenthood of the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Area, "Rep. Carl Domino understands the critical importance of protecting access to reproductive health care for women at every turn. Although his colleagues may bend to pressures from the right, especially during our short legislative session, Rep. Domino's support of reproductive health care has remained solid. Our community is proud to have Rep. Domino represent their views in the state legislature. He is the voice of reason when our issues are sometimes deemed unpopular or insignificant. We can't thank Rep. Domino enough for being our silver lining."

RFC thanks Rep. Carl Domino for his hard work this session and dedication to our issues. We appreciate his support and hope more Republican legislators in Florida will follow his example.

Rep. Rosemary Mulligan

RFC heads to the Midwest to honor state Rep. Rosemary Mulligan (R-IL) as an outstanding pro-choice legislator. Rep. Mulligan is a friend to our Planned Parenthood affiliates in Illinois because she has been a champion of choice and women's rights since first being elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1993.

Rep. Mulligan has successfully represented her constituents from House District 65, most notably through her work on her various legislative committees. She is the spokesperson for the Committee on Appropriations and Human Services and also serves on the Commerce and Business Committee; Children and Youth; Health Care Availability and Access; Committee of the Whole; and the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee.

Rep. Mulligan's dedication to enhancing women's lives in her state is evident in the types of bills she supports. She sponsored legislation allowing women to select an ob-gyn as their primary care physician and a bill that changed the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act by requiring hospitals to provide emergency contraception to rape survivors in a timely manner to help reduce the risk of pregnancy. Because of this legislation, hospitals must also ensure that each survivor of a sexual assault receives medically and factually accurate written and oral information about emergency contraception, including any risks involved in taking the drug.

Pam Sutherland, president and CEO of Illinois Planned Parenthood Council, noted, "Had it not been for the leadership of Rosemary Mulligan, there wouldn't be this movement happening across the country to mandate that hospitals provide information about emergency contraceptives to rape survivors."

Clearly the significance of Rep. Mulligan's work in Illinois stretches far beyond her state's borders and she has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2000 Leadership Award from the Illinois Library Association; and the 1996 Legislator of the Year Award form the Illinois Association of Community Mental Health.

RFC extends warm congratulations to Rep. Mulligan for her recent re-election. We are confident that she will continue her efforts on behalf of reproductive health and rights during the next legislative session.

State Rep. Mary Rogeness

RFC heads to the northeast to honor this month's outstanding pro-choice legislator. Rep. Mary Rogeness represents the second Hampden District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and serves as the assistant minority whip. She was first elected to the House in 1991 and is currently serving her seventh term.

Throughout her tenure, she has been an ardent supporter of women's rights, quality of life issues, and improving public health care. According to Pam Nourse, public affairs director, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, "Rep. Rogeness is always available to talk with us to move our legislation forward. She has helped us develop our strategy to gain support among both Republicans and Democrats."

Throughout her career in the House of Representatives, Rep. Rogeness has served on various committees, including the Committee on Long-term Debt and Capital Expenditure, where she served as ranking minority member; as well as the Taxation, Ways and Means, Banks and Banking, and Commerce and Labor committees.

A native of the Midwest, Rep. Rogeness was born in Kansas City, KS, and earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Carleton College in Minnesota. She moved to the Washington, DC, area after college to work for the Department of Defense and then relocated to Springfield, MA. She served as an elected member of the Longmeadow School Committee from 1982-1988 and is a board member of Goodwill Industries, National Foundation for Women Legislators, and the Longmeadow Republican Town Committee. In addition to these responsibilities, she serves as Massachusetts chair of Shoulder to Shoulder, a cooperative program of the National Order of Women Legislators and the nation's Drug Enforcement Agency.

RFC thanks Rep. Rogeness for her continued support of the Planned Parenthood mission. We need more legislators like her in state houses across the country.

Senator John Schwarz, M.D.

State Sen. John Schwarz, M.D., (District 24) has served four terms in the Michigan Senate and is currently serving as Senate president pro tempore. A lifelong supporter of choice, Sen. Schwarz has fearlessly raised his pro-choice position at every opportunity throughout his tenure in the legislature and in other elected positions. Before serving in the Michigan Senate, Sen. Schwarz was mayor of Battle Creek from 1985-1987 and a Battle Creek city commissioner from 1979-1987. Sen. Schwarz practices medicine and surgery in Battle Creek and is on the active staff of the Battle Creek Health System. He serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee where he chairs the Subcommittee on Higher Education and the Subcommittee on General Government, and is also a member of Subcommittees on Capital Outlay and Health Policy.

Sen. Schwarz has been an important ally for our Planned Parenthood affiliates throughout the state of Michigan. He once called the Planned Parenthood clinic in Ann Arbor a "superb facility" that provided care for children and men as well as women. He has passionately opposed attempts to deny federal Title X funds to family planning providers, including Planned Parenthood clinics, and has always used his medical expertise to support his arguments. In a May 2002 address on the floor of the Senate, Sen. Schwarz told his colleagues, "A group predominantly men, tell women what their reproductive rights are; that they know best. And one political party professes to wonder why women, angry women, are leaving it in droves."

Sen. Schwarz recently ran as the pro-choice Republican candidate for governor in Michigan but lost the Republican primary. Throughout his short campaign, Sen. Schwarz made it a point to encourage moderates to take control of their party away from the anti-choice factions and stated in his concession speech, "The Republican Party can't win in Michigan without the support of pro-choice women and men."

"In a state where the governor, Supreme Court, and both the House and Senate are controlled by ultra-conservative, decidedly anti-choice Republicans, it has been extremely reaffirming to work with a lifelong Republican who not only believes that government should not unduly restrict personal decision making, but combines a physician's knowledge to fight for medically sound public policies in matters of reproductive health," said Bob Lohrmann, director of public affairs, Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan. "We will miss his steady voice of reason in the Michigan Legislature, but know that he will find other forums to effectively advocate for individual freedom to make responsible choices."

Senator Mary Small

State Sen. Mary Small (District 19) is retiring after 24 years of consecutive service in the Maine Legislature, serving her last term as Republican leader. Her years of outstanding service to the people of Maine have made her one of the most admired leaders in Augusta's State House. Throughout her tenure, Sen. Small has been a leader in improving health care for women and children throughout the state and has fought ardently to protect reproductive rights.

Before coming to the Senate in 1994, Sen. Small served eight terms in the Maine House as the representative from District 75. Representing 10 towns in Sagadahoc County, Sen. Small has worked to ensure the well-being of all of her constituents by introducing progressive educational measures and tax relief, as well as opposing proposals to ban so-called "partial birth" abortion in the state of Maine.

"Mary Small is such an inspiring model for Republican leadership on our issues: solid, reliable, guided by no-nonsense Yankee independence and the quickest wit to boot!" said Joanne D'Arcangelo, vice president for pubic affairs, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. "As chair and ranking member on the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, she's used her influence strategically, offering support and commonsense advice to both her colleagues and advocates. There's no question Mary's work and influence are intimately connected to our successes in the Maine Legislature. She will be missed at the State House, but we expect and look forward to her continued leadership in the community."

Sen. Small graduated from the University of Southern Maine (USM) and has served on various community boards. She is a past member of the Governor's Commission for Excellence in Education and was a recipient of the 2002 University of Southern Maine Community Service Award, which recognizes those who have brought honor to USM through distinguished service.

"Sen. Small is an outstanding role model for any young, Republican woman who feels compelled to run for public office," said Jennifer Bolduc, PPFA senior program manager, RFC. "Working for Mary as a legislative aide in the Maine State Senate was an invaluable experience for me. She's a legislator who truly cares about the people she is representing, and I'm sure the residents of her district will feel the loss of her presence in the Senate in January."

Senator Nicolas A. Spano

First elected to the New York Assembly in 1978, and to the Senate in 1986, Sen. Spano now serves as assistant majority leader of the New York Senate. He chairs the Senate Labor Committee and is a member of the following standing committees: Cities, Civil Service and Pensions; Education; Finance; Investigations; Taxation and Government Operations; Mental Health and Development Disabilities; Racing, Gaming and Waging; and Rules.

"Sen. Spano has been a tireless advocate for choice in the New York State Legislature," said Reina Schiffrin, President/CEO of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic. "He truly cares about the women and families of Westchester County and can always be counted upon to stand behind legislation that protects reproductive rights. We are proud to be represented by the senator and consider him to be a sincere supporter of our movement."

Sen. Spano has sponsored many laws in New York to protect working families, most notably the Community Reinvestment Act, which was aimed at closing down outdated institutions in favor of community-based mental health care services. He also has lent his support to Family Planning Advocates of New York by voting in favor of many family planning initiatives.

According to JoAnn Smith, executive director of Family Planning Advocates of New York, "Sen. Nick Spano is a stand-up guy for women's rights, and we appreciate that. We know that he takes a lot of political heat back home from a small group of archconservative zealots who want to deny women control over their own destiny because of his courageous stands."

Sen. Spano is a graduate of Iona College in New Rochelle and is the father of two children.

For medical questions, or to schedule an appointment with the nearest Planned Parenthood health center, call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN or 1-800-230-7526.

Planned Parenthood affiliate health centers provide culturally competent, high quality, affordable health care to nearly five million diverse women, men, and teens every year. Planned Parenthood welcomes everyone--regardless of race, age, disability, sexual orientation, or income.

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