Bill Text: NJ SR77 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Condemns remarks by Congressman Todd Akin that a woman's body is biologically able to prevent pregnancy during rape.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-10-01 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [SR77 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-SR77-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator DAWN MARIE ADDIEGO
District 8 (Atlantic, Burlington and Camden)
SYNOPSIS
Condemns remarks by Congressman Todd Akin that a woman's body is biologically able to prevent pregnancy during rape.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution condemning the recent remarks by United States Representative Todd Akin of Missouri that a woman's body is biologically able to prevent pregnancy during rape.
Whereas, United States Representative Todd Akin of Missouri, who is currently a candidate for the United States Senate, publicly stated in August, 2012 that women who are victims of "legitimate" or "forcible" rape rarely get pregnant, and these remarks have provoked a firestorm of protest and condemnation from the medical community and from people in both major political parties and across the ideological spectrum; and
Whereas, Representative Akin stated that "the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down" and suggested that women who are victims of "legitimate" or "forcible" rape have biological mechanisms to prevent a pregnancy during rape; and
Whereas, Leading experts on reproductive health have rejected the validity of Mr. Akin's remarks and dismissed his assertion that a woman's body has a biological mechanism that would prevent her from becoming pregnant during rape, and medical research supports the viewpoint expressed by these experts; and
Whereas, There is no such thing as "legitimate" or "forcible" rape that can be distinguished from other rape; and
Whereas, Any rape of a woman is an act of cruel violence and sexual victimization and is repugnant to all decent-thinking individuals, including rape that occurs in the context of family and domestic violence; and
Whereas, This House has a moral obligation to send the strongest possible message to people across this State and nationwide in response to Representative Akin's unfortunate and reprehensible remarks; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House condemns the recent remarks by United States Representative Todd Akin of Missouri that a woman's body is biologically able to prevent pregnancy during rape and calls for greater public attention to the issue of violence against women, including family and domestic violence.
2. This House calls upon Representative Akin to immediately withdraw his candidacy for the United States Senate from the state of Missouri.
3. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate, and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to the President of the United States, the majority and minority leaders of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, and each member of Congress elected from the State of New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This resolution condemns the recent statement by United States Representative Todd Akin of Missouri that a woman's body is biologically able to prevent pregnancy during rape and calls for greater public attention to the issue of violence against women, including family and domestic violence.
The resolution also calls upon Representative Akin to immediately withdraw his candidacy for the United States Senate from the state of Missouri.
