For Immediate Release:
January 22, 2006

Contact: Adrienne Verrilli 212-819-9770 x325

New York, NY - Today, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS) honors the 33 nd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade , the landmark Supreme Court decision that recognized a constitutional right to privacy that allows a woman, not the government, to decide whether or not to terminate her pregnancy. This day is also a stark reminder that if Judge Samual Alito is confirmed by the Senate to succeed Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Roe v. Wade and the constitutional right to privacy are in jeopardy.

"The Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision has had an immeasurable impact on women and their families. The ruling not only improved women's health and the health of their children, it also raised the long over-due social and economic status of women," said Joseph DiNorcia, Jr., president and CEO of SIECUS. "Unfortunately, the possible confirmation of Judge Alito to the nation's highest court raises serious concerns for the future of safe, legal abortion, as well as other individual freedoms," DiNorcia continued.

Rather than nominate a consensus candidate to replace Justice O'Connor and maintain the critical balance of the Court, President Bush nominated Judge Alito, whose record, in particular his record on abortion rights, is far outside mainstream American values. In addition to his record, Alito's Senate Judiciary Committee testimony fueled concerns for the future of Roe v. Wade , as he answered few questions directly, and refused to state whether or not he believed Roe is the settled law of the land.

"SIECUS believes that access to reproductive health care and information is a fundamental right that is critical to ensure the health and future of all people. As such, on this 33 rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade , SIECUS calls on the Senate to resoundly reject the nomination of Judge Alito to the Supreme Court," DiNorcia said.

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