Media

For Immediate Release:
January 22, 2005

Contact: Adrienne Verrilli
at: 212-819-9770 x325

SIECUS Honors the 32nd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

New York, NY - Today we honor the 32nd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that recognized that the constitutional right to privacy "is broad enough to encompass a woman's decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy."¹ On this day, we are also reminded of the poignant words from the 1992 Supreme Court decision Planned Parenthood v. Casey that upheld Roe, "the ability of women to participate equally in the economic and social life of the Nation has been facilitated by their ability to control their reproductive lives."²

"The Roe v. Wade decision has had an immeasurable positive impact on the lives of the women in this country," said Joseph DiNorcia, Jr., President and CEO of the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS). "Not only did the decision vastly improve women's health, and the health and well-being of their children, but it also raised the social and economic status of women," DiNorcia continued.

However, this day is also a reminder of President Bush's open hostility toward reproductive health and rights. "The potential vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court during the next fours years will give the White House significant power to change the balance of the Court, and potentially overturn Roe. President Bush's consistent and deliberate nominations of lower court judges who oppose abortion rights has sent an unsettling message and is of great concern," DiNorcia said.

"This anniversary of Roe should be a reminder to all Americans that access to reproductive health care and information is a fundamental right that is critical to ensure the health and future of all people. Even with these harsh political realities, SIECUS will continue to work toward a world where all people have access to comprehensive information and education about sexuality, a broad range of family planning services, and safe, legal abortion," DiNorcia said.

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Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113, 153 (1973).
Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833, 856 (1992).