Levin Introduces Congressional Resolution to Honor Abortion Providers

Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09), member of the Pro-Choice Caucus, introduced his Abortion Provider Appreciation Day resolution, the first congressional resolution to honor abortion providers and clinic staff. The resolution is co-led by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI); Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI); Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Barbara Lee (CA-13); Reps. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07); Cori Bush (MO-01) and Nikema Williams (GA-05).

Congressman Levin's resolution was inspired by Dr. David Gunn who was killed outside his abortion clinic in Pensacola, Florida by a white supremacist, antiabortion extremist, in the first known instance of the murder of an abortion provider. To honor his legacy, Abortion Provider Appreciation Day was established on March 10, 1996, as a day to show appreciation for the essential, high-quality care that abortion providers and clinic staff provide to their communities and to celebrate their courage and dedication. With the proliferation of harmful abortion bans and restrictions across the country, abortion providers are rendered more vulnerable to harassment and violence. This resolution affirms that abortion providers are valued as they provide care despite pressures, restrictions, political interference and threats to their personal safety.

You can watch the press conference with David Gunn, Jr. and Wendy Gunn, son and daughter of Dr. David Gunn and co-leads Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chair Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) here.

The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day resolution demonstrates a commitment to abortion providers and staff by:

• Extending Congressional recognition of Abortion Provider Appreciation Day;
• Lauding the communities across the country who proudly support their abortion providers and clinic staff;
• Affirming Congress' commitment to ensuring the safety of abortion providers and their ability to continue providing the essential care their patients need; and
• Declaring a vision for a future where access to abortion is liberated from restrictions and bans universally.

"We must frame the ongoing attacks against reproductive freedom and abortion providers as a movement to entrench control—control over the bodies of those who seek reproductive health care, control over those who face racial and income barriers that determine their ability to decide what is best for their own health, and control of the structures of power that are too often used to hinder progress and equality, like the Supreme Court. Protecting and advancing reproductive freedom will require strong, resilient communities coming together to ensure that everyone can access the care that they need," said Congressman Levin. "That's why I'm proud to introduce this resolution recognizing Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, to affirm that abortion providers are essential and valued, as they provide high-quality, compassionate, and necessary health care, and deliver this care courageously despite pressures, restrictions, political interference and violent threats to their personal safety. I'm grateful for my colleagues in the House and the many advocates and allies across the nation who have helped spearhead this initiative alongside me."

"The value of the Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, other than honoring the memory of the assassinated providers including our father Dr. David Gunn, is it reminds us of one of the most dangerous pursuits in the U.S. in 2022: unashamedly providing patients abortion care in the face of unparalleled harassment while simultaneously negotiating state sponsored roadblocks and disinformation," said David Gunn, Jr. and Wendy Gunn, son and daughter of the late Dr. David Dunn.

"Women across the country are under attack—but so too are the health care professionals who provide safe and legal abortions. Across the country, abortion providers experience intimidation, harassment, threats, and violence from anti-abortion extremists. These doctors, nurses, and staff fear for their lives just to provide access to reproductive care," said Senator Mazie Hirono. "I'm proud to introduce this resolution with my colleagues to honor all health care providers who keep patients safe and healthy—and do their part to help provide access to reproductive care, including abortions."

"Abortion providers in Michigan and across the country face threats for providing essential health care services to women and families," said Senator Gary Peters. "I am proud to introduce this resolution that recognizes those providers who support families with safe, quality reproductive care – and I'll keep fighting to protect every woman's right to make personal medical decisions with their doctors and families."

"As the constitutional right to an abortion faces existential threats from state legislatures, the Supreme Court, and right-wing governors, Congressional support for abortion providers is more important than ever. Abortion providers have been providing essential, life-changing health care for decades," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "I'm proud to co-lead this resolution with my colleagues Rep. Levin, Jayapal, and Williams, as well as Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chair Rep. DeGette, and express my deepest gratitude for all people who make these clinics possible."

"Americans' right to access the abortion care they need has never been more at risk. In the face of growing threats and new restrictions, abortion providers across the country are continuing to provide essential services to our communities – and we couldn't be more thankful for their efforts," said Congresswoman Diana DeGette. "It's time for Congress to stand up for our abortion providers, clinic staff and all those who need abortion care. I'm proud to support this resolution to make clear to abortion providers throughout the country that we have their back."

"As one of the one in four women in America who have had an abortion, I cannot express how grateful I am for abortion providers across this country," said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. "Not only do they provide kind and compassionate care in a moment that can be incredibly stressful and emotionally taxing, but they also serve daily on the frontlines of the anti-abortion attacks that we're seeing all too frequently. For me, terminating my pregnancy wasn't an easy choice, but it was my choice – in part thanks to the abortion providers working to ensure that abortion care is safe and accessible."

"As a Congresswoman, nurse, and activist committed to protecting abortion care as a fundamental right, I'm proud join Rep. Andy Levin in introducing this resolution recognizing Abortion Provider Appreciation Day," said Congresswoman Cori Bush. "We're at a critical juncture as a country, one where reproductive health care continues to be criminalized and abortion care continues to become less accessible — all while abortion care providers receive an ever-increasing amount of threats. In St. Louis, we are down to our sole abortion provider in the state, and our Republican state legislature is working to take that number to zero. Supporting our abortion care providers is critical to ensuring that every person — regardless of where they live or how much money they make — has access to the care they need."

The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day resolution is endorsed by 2+ Abortions Worldwide; Access Reproductive Care-Southeast; Advocates for Youth; All* Above All Action Fund; American Medical Student Association; Amplify Georgia Collaborative; A Woman's Choice of Charlotte, Greensboro, Jacksonville and Raleigh Chapters; Abortion Access Front; Black Women's Health Imperative; Catholics for Choice; Center for Reproductive Rights; Chicago Abortion Fund; Cobalt; EMAA Project; Feminist Women's Health Center; Florida Access Network; Freedom From Religion Foundation; Frontera Fund; Global Justice Center; Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights (GRR!); Gynuity Health Projects; Ibis Reproductive Health; Ipas; Jane's Due Process; Lilith Fund; Louisiana Coalition for Reproductive Freedom; Men4Choice Advocacy; Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN); Michigan Voices; NARAL Pro-Choice America; National Abortion Federation; National Birth Equity Collaborative; National Council of Jewish Women; National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association; National Institute for Reproductive Health; National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice; National Organization for Women; National Women's Law Center; Nebraska Abortion Resources (NEAR); Physicians for Reproductive Health; Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood of Michigan, Population Institute; Positive Women's Network USA; Power to Decide; Pro-Choice Connecticut, North Carolina, Missouri, Oregon, Wyoming; ProgressNow New Mexico; Reclaim; Reproductive Health Access Project; Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine; Tampa Bay Abortion Fund; Tampa Bay Access Force; Texas Equal Access Fund, UCSF Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health; URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity; United State of Women; We Testify; Whole Woman's Health Alliance; Women's Health Center of West Virginia; Women's Medical Fund Inc.; Women of Reform Judaism

_{Source:https://andylevin.house.gov/media/press-releases/levin-introduces-congressional-resolution-honor-abortion-providers}