In previous legislative reports, I have dealt mainly with economic issues facing the state. This week’s report, however, centers on a major social issue that is often in the news and was addressed by the Georgia House last week.
On Wednesday the House approved legislation known as the Fetal Pain Bill. A large part of the afternoon was spent debating this issue. If passed by the Senate and signed into law by the Governor, it is estimated that over 1500 healthy babies would be saved each year in Georgia. Other states have put into law the same legislation, and so far there have been no objections by the courts, according to Right to Life proponents. House Bill 954 received 102 votes. This was 11 more than needed for passage.
Tommy Smith
News from Rep. Tommy Smith
I have been a strong supporter of prolife issues during the 34 years you have allowed me to serve in the House, and was one of the cosigners of this legislation. The primary author of HB954 was State Representative Doug McKillip of Athens. Many of us would have liked to have seen much stronger legislation, but was forced to craft the bill in a manner which would obtain court approval. It made abortions in Georgia illegal after 20 weeks of pregnancy, except to save the life of the mother. The bill’s author, Rep. McKillip, presented medical studies documenting that a 20 week fetus experiences pain during an abortion. Like many of you, I believe that pain can be felt much earlier and do not favor abortion at any time during a pregnancy, except in rare cases to save the life of the mother. For me this has never been a political issue, but simply a conviction that life begins at conception. I was among those who went to the well of the House to participate in the debate and speak in favor of the measure. I pointed out that if the Fetal Pain Bill was put into law, the lives of hundreds of healthy babies would be saved each year in Georgia. If the legislation did not become law, the same number of healthy babies would experience severe pain during an abortion, and would have their life eliminated through no fault of their own. I also asked my colleagues, “If you were a healthy 5 months old fetus yet to be born, would you not want the protection provided by this legislation?” The last speaker of the debate, Appropriations Chairman Terry England, quoted from the book of Jeremiah found in the
Old Testament of the Bible: “Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you;’ “ (Jeremiah 4-5a NKJV). I would be interested in knowing your thoughts and comments.
If you would like for me to come to your church, synagogue, civic organization, school or any other group meeting and address in more detail this issue or any other matters that have come before the General Assembly this year, you may contact me at Tommy Smith, 131 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334. You may also reach me by phone at 404-656-5105 or 912-614-2077. My email is tommy.smith@house.ga.gov.
Old Testament of the Bible: “Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you;’ “ (Jeremiah 4-5a NKJV). I would be interested in knowing your thoughts and comments.
If you would like for me to come to your church, synagogue, civic organization, school or any other group meeting and address in more detail this issue or any other matters that have come before the General Assembly this year, you may contact me at Tommy Smith, 131 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334. You may also reach me by phone at 404-656-5105 or 912-614-2077. My email is tommy.smith@house.ga.gov.
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