GUAM 2012 SENATORIAL CANDIDATE INQUIRY, OCTOBER 22, 2012

To all Guam Senatorial Candidates October 22, 2012 For Immediate Release Contact: Rosa C. Santos Guam Alliance for the Defense of the Unborn

Your Position on Informed Consent Legislation  An Inquiry Dear Candidate for the Guam Legislature: Child Protective Services recently advised that despite a waiting list of "more than ten" parents, CPS has not had a child available for adoption in "at least five years." Yet, according to Guam Medical Records, there is one abortion every 1.2 days. Also, the recent Blue House case, in which at least one of the girls who was forced to serve as a prostitute was also forced to have an abortion, reveals that at least some abortions which occur on Guam may be coerced - something we as a community should not tolerate. Everyone, including Pro-Choice advocates, agree that abortion is not desirable and that we as a community must do our utmost to help women with unplanned pregnancies.   Giving women information about abortion, its risks and alternatives, and their rights to assistance, is a sensible thing to do and was supported by the U.S. Supreme Court in Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), even though the case upheld Roe v. Wade. Informed consent legislation, like Bill 52-31, would do exactly this. And we are writing to ask you how you will or would vote on a bill which would include the following provisions: 1. That a woman considering an abortion receive complete and accurate information material to her decision of whether to undergo an abortion including: A description of the proposed abortion method and possible risks Probable gestational age of the unborn child Probable anatomical and physiological characteristics of the unborn child 2. That she also receive information about: Medical assistance that may be available to her Public assistance she may qualify for Public services including the availability of adoption The father's liability in providing financial assistance 3. That no abortion be performed or induced without the voluntary and informed consent of the woman upon whom the abortion is to be performed or induced. 4. That a 24 hour "waiting period" be required after she has received the information. We understand that Bill 52-31 may or may not go to the Floor for debate and could be amended. Thus we are NOT asking you how you will or would vote on Bill 52-31 specifically, but only on a bill that would contain the above provisions and which the Guam Attorney General has confirmed to be constitutional. Please review and reply back "yes" or "no" by Friday, October 26, 5pm. If you wish to add a comment, feel free to do so. Please reply to rcsantos06@yahoo.com. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at rcsantos06@yahoo.com Thank you, Rosa C. Santos Guam Alliance for the Defense of the Unborn Confraternity of Christian Mothers, President, Nuestros Senora de los Aguas