ENROLLED SENATE
RESOLUTION NO. 82	By:	Newberry, Gumm, Russell, Lamb, Jolley, Branan, Sykes, Halligan, Brown, Reynolds, Johnson (Mike), Justice, Barrington, Crain, Stanislawski, Garrison, Schulz, Eason McIntyre, Aldridge, Anderson, Corn, Coates, Ellis, Myers, Brogdon, Ford, Ballenger, Bass, Ivester, Wyrick, Bingman, Mazzei, Marlatt, and Coffee

A Resolution supporting pregnancy resource centers; commending their work; encouraging assistance; disapproving opposition; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, the life-affirming impact of pregnancy resource centers on the women, men, children, and communities they serve is considerable and growing; and

WHEREAS, pregnancy resource centers serve women in Oklahoma and across the United States with integrity and compassion; and

WHEREAS, more than 2,500 pregnancy resource centers across the United States provide comprehensive care to women and men facing unplanned pregnancies, including resources to meet their physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs; and

WHEREAS, pregnancy resource centers offer women free, confidential, and compassionate services, including pregnancy tests, peer counseling, 24-hour telephone hotlines, childbirth and parenting classes, referrals to community, healthcare, and support services; and

WHEREAS, many medical pregnancy resource centers offer ultrasound and other medical services; and

WHEREAS, many pregnancy resource centers provide information on adoption and adoption referrals to pregnant mothers; and

WHEREAS, pregnancy resource centers encourage women to make positive life choices by equipping them with complete and accurate information regarding their pregnancy options and the development of their unborn child; and

WHEREAS, pregnancy resource centers provide women with compassionate and confidential peer counseling in a nonjudgmental manner regardless of their pregnancy outcomes; and

WHEREAS, pregnancy resource centers provide important support and resources for women who choose childbirth over abortion; and 

WHEREAS, pregnancy resource centers ensure that women are receiving prenatal information and services that lead to the birth of healthy infants; and

WHEREAS, many pregnancy resource centers provide grief assistance for women and men in regard to the loss of their children; and

WHEREAS, many pregnancy resource centers work to prevent unplanned pregnancies by teaching effective abstinence education in public schools; and

WHEREAS, federal and state governments are increasingly recognizing the valuable services of pregnancy resource centers through the designation of public funds for such organizations; and

WHEREAS, pregnancy resource centers operate primarily through reliance on the voluntary donations and time of caring individuals who are committed to caring for the needs of women and promoting and protecting life.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 52ND OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate strongly supports pregnancy resource centers in their unique, positive contributions to the individual lives of women and men and of babies — both born and unborn.

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate commends the compassionate work of tens of thousands of volunteers and paid staff at pregnancy resource centers in Oklahoma and across the United States.

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate encourages the Congress of the United States and other federal and state government agencies to grant pregnancy resource centers assistance for medical equipment and abstinence education in a manner that does not compromise the mission or religious integrity of these organizations.

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate disapproves of the actions of any national, state, or local groups attempting to prevent pregnancy resource centers from effectively serving women and men facing unplanned pregnancies.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to each pregnancy resource center in Oklahoma, to the Governor of the State of Oklahoma, to the President of the United States, to the Majority and Minority Leader of the United States Senate, and the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation.

Adopted by the Senate the 3rd day of February, 2010.

	
Presiding Officer of the Senate