Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives in strong support of H. Res 505, a resolution condemning the murder of Dr. George Tiller, a pro-choice doctor who performed abortions in Wichita, Kansas. This resolution, introduced by Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), is a powerful statement in opposition to violence as a means of protest, regardless of one’s views on abortion or any other issue.


“It is a sad reminder that medical personnel are still at risk from armed extremists who are willing to resort to deadly violence in order to advance their causes,” said Nadler. “There can never be room in a free society for the use of deadly violence to advance a cause. It is against everything this country stands for.”

Nadler made the following statement on the floor of the House:

“M. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 505, which condemns the murder of Dr. George Tiller, who was shot to death at his church on May 31, 2009.

“The resolution also offers the condolences of the House of Representatives to Dr. Tiller’s family. I know that Dr. Tiller and his family are in the thoughts and prayers of every Member of this House today.

“I want to commend our colleague, the distinguished Chair of the Rules Committee, and my fellow New Yorker, Ms. Slaughter, for introducing this resolution. It is imperative that the House of Representatives speak with a united voice in condemning this crime.

“It is a sad reminder that medical personnel are still at risk from armed extremists who are willing to resort to deadly violence in order to advance their causes. There can never be room in a free society for the use of deadly violence to advance a cause. It is against everything this country stands for. I have no doubt that there isn’t a single Member of this House who would disagree.

“This resolution renews our commitment to the ‘American principle that tolerance must always be superior to intolerance, and that violence is never an appropriate response to difference in beliefs.’ As deplorable as this murder was, it was all the more reprehensible because the victim was targeted as he was leaving church. In the past 10 years, 38 people have been murdered in their places of worship, and 30 more have been wounded.

“Dr. Tiller was a controversial figure. He was murdered solely because of the work he did. This was not the first time a health care provider was similarly targeted. But while violence has long been directed at clinics and the people who work there, this time, the killer chose to invade the sanctity of the Sabbath. Murderous intolerance is never justified. Even so, the idea of bringing death and mayhem to a house of worship strikes all people as particularly reprehensible.

“These include the murder of an Illinois pastor in the pulpit in March 2009; the murder of an Ohio minister in November 2008; the murder of an usher and a guest during a children’s play in a Tennessee church in July 2008; the murder of four family members in a church in Louisiana in May 2006; and the shooting of a worshiper outside a synagogue in Florida in October 2005.

“Whether these acts of violence target one individual, or an entire community of faith, we must all join together and speak out against them. I urge all my colleagues to stand up to those who would bring their reign of terror into a house of worship by supporting this resolution condemning the murder of Dr. George Tiller, and extending the condolences of this House to Dr. Tiller’s family.

“I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.”