> Alberto Gonzales' bio
> Questions NAF submitted to the Judiciary Committee for Alberto Gonzales
> Alberto Gonzales' Responses to Written NAF Questions
January 7, 2005
Senator Arlen Specter
Chairman
Committee on the Judiciary
United States Senate Washington, DC 20510
Senator Patrick Leahy
Ranking Member
Committee on the Judiciary
United States Senate Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Specter and Ranking Member Leahy,
As an organization that interacts directly with the Department of Justice, the National Abortion Federation urges you to ascertain Alberto Gonzales' commitment to enforcing existing laws, including the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE), which protect abortion providers from violence. Since Senators did not address this issue during yesterday's hearing, NAF urges Senators to do so in their written questions.
FACE protects clinics, their employees, and women seeking reproductive health care services from violence and threats of violence. Currently, DOJ administers the Task Force on Violence Against Health Care Providers which performs several functions including: (1) coordinating investigations and prosecutions of clinic violence; (2) serving as a clearinghouse for information on acts of violence against abortion providers; (3) making security recommendations to enhance the safety and protection of providers; (4) assisting the U.S. Attorneys' local working groups on clinic violence; (5) enhancing training of federal, state, and local law enforcement on issues relating to clinic violence; and (6) supporting federal civil investigation and litigation of abortion-related violence.
NAF has documented that the Task Force's work has led to a decrease in extreme forms of violence against abortion providers. As a medical association representing abortion providers around the country, we would like the Senate Judiciary Committee to obtain Mr. Gonzales' assurance that he will continue the Task Force and ensure that it has the resources necessary to carry out its mission.
Prior Attorneys General have dispatched federal marshals when necessary to protect the lives of abortion providers. Specifically, the Attorney General deployed marshals in upstate New York after the murder of Dr. Slepian in 1998. More recently, the Attorney General deployed marshals in Wichita, Kansas in July of 2001 during protests by vigilant anti-abortion extremists.
Over the last decade, we have made significant strides in curbing extreme violence against abortion providers including arsons, bombings and murders. Law enforcement has prevented violent incidents and has captured and prosecuted anti-abortion criminals who threaten the safety of abortion providers, their patients, and the communities in which they live. The Senate needs to obtain assurances that under Mr. Gonzales' leadership, law enforcement will continue to prevent clinic violence and pursue and prosecute criminals who engage in violence against abortion providers. The National Abortion Federation therefore urges the Judiciary Committee to fully explore this issue with Mr. Gonzales before he is confirmed.
Sincerely,
Vicki A. Saporta
President and CEO
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