Senate Engrossed

State of Arizona Senate Fiftieth Legislature First Regular Session 2011

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1017

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

acknowledging the contributions of pregnancy care centers in serving and assisting women with unplanned pregnancies.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Whereas, the life-affirming impact of pregnancy care centers on the women, men, children and communities they serve is considerable and growing; and

Whereas, pregnancy care centers serve women in Arizona and across the United States with integrity and compassion; and

Whereas, more than 2,500 pregnancy care centers around the country provide comprehensive care to women and men facing unplanned pregnancies, including resources to meet their physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs; and

Whereas, pregnancy care centers offer women free, confidential and compassionate services, including pregnancy tests, peer counseling, 24-hour telephone hotlines, childbirth and parenting classes and referrals to community, health care and other support services; and

Whereas, many medical pregnancy care centers offer ultrasounds and other medical services; and

Whereas, many pregnancy care centers provide information on adoption and adoption referrals to pregnant women; and

Whereas, pregnancy care centers encourage women to make positive life choices by equipping them with complete and accurate information regarding their pregnancy options and the development of their preborn children; and

Whereas, pregnancy care centers provide women with compassionate and confidential peer counseling in a nonjudgmental manner regardless of the pregnancy outcome; and

Whereas, pregnancy care centers provide important support and resources for women who choose childbirth over abortion; and

Whereas, pregnancy care centers ensure that women are receiving prenatal information and services that lead to the birth of healthy infants; and

Whereas, many pregnancy care centers provide grief assistance for women and men who regret the loss of their children from past choices they have made; and

Whereas, many pregnancy care centers work to prevent unplanned pregnancies by teaching effective abstinence education in public schools; and

Whereas, both federal and state governments are increasingly recognizing the valuable services of pregnancy care centers at a time of shortage in funding for public services; and

Whereas, pregnancy care centers operate primarily through reliance on the voluntary donations and time of individuals who are committed to caring for the needs of women and promoting and protecting life.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:

1.  That the Members of the Legislature strongly support pregnancy care centers in their unique, positive contributions to the individual lives of women, men and babies, both born and unborn.

2.  That the Members of the Legislature commend the compassionate work of thousands of volunteers and paid staff at pregnancy care centers in Arizona and across the United States.

3.  That the Members of the Legislature disapprove of the actions of any national, state or local group attempting to prevent pregnancy care centers from effectively serving women and men facing unplanned pregnancies.