(3/6/2006)

South Dakota Makes History With Abortion Ban

First abortion ban passed by a state since Roe v. Wade

PIERRE, SD, Mar. 6 /Christian Newswire/ -- The State of South Dakota made history this morning as Gov. Mike Rounds signed a ban on virtually all abortions in his state. This is the first abortion ban passed by a state legislature since the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that decriminalized abortion in all 50 states. The new law is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2006.

"Governor Rounds leadership is to be commended," said South Dakota Family Policy Council executive director Robert Regier. "His signature marks the beginning of a renewed effort to abolish abortion in our country.

"Our elected officials swore an oath to support the constitutions of the state and federal governments, not the judicial branch’s misinterpretations of them," Regier continued. "HB 1215 does what the Supreme Court failed to do, recognizing the self-evident truth that all humans are endowed with the unalienable right to life."

“This is a red-letter day for the pre-born children and their mothers in this nation,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue. “We look forward to the inevitable court challenge with new hope, knowing that this, or similar legislation from another state, will eventually be the undoing of Roe. This day marks the beginning of the end of the child-killing industry in our nation.”

“We applaud Gov. Rounds courage in signing the bill, the legislature’s courage in passing it, and the pro- life community in South Dakota for showing the leadership and foresight to support this historic abortion ban,” said Newman, who visited lawmakers and three weeks ago as the legislation worked its way though the Senate.

Newman and Rev. Pat Mahoney, of the Christian Defense Coalition, presented letters to lawmakers from Norma McCorvey, the Roe of Roe v. Wade, in support of the abortion ban. McCorvey is now pro-life and works to overturn the decision that unleashed abortion on demand on this nation.

“We pray that other states with similar legislation will follow the lead of South Dakota and pass their bills as well,” said Newman. “Roe has feet of clay that cannot stand up under the challenges that face it.”