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The Remarks of Speaker Carl E. Heastie

2016 Annual Family Planning Advocates Lobby Day
Monday, January 25, 2016

The Well, Legislative Office Building
[as delivered]


Good afternoon. On behalf of the People's House - the New York State Assembly - welcome to Albany.

For each of you joining us here today and on behalf of every New Yorker who could not be here, thank you for making sure your voices are heard.

Thank you for raising the alarm, loud and clear that the needs and the rights of women in this state will not be ignored.

Your commitment to the fight for reproductive freedom has been invaluable as we in the Assembly Majority push forward with our mission to put women and families first in New York State.

Right now, we are preparing the next wave of legislation to preserve a woman's access to health and treatment services.

These bills would require insurance coverage to include approved contraceptives and ensure that individuals are not discriminated against for exercising their reproductive rights.

On behalf of all my colleagues who believe in every woman's full and undeniable right to control decisions over her body, thank you for your support and for your partnership in this fight.

Of course we are not yet finished.

Forty three years ago, the United States Supreme Court reaffirmed what we in New York State have always known to be true and just - a woman has an absolute right to control her reproductive choices.

Since then, we have been fighting to keep those rights where they belong.

For forty three years, we have pushed back against relentless efforts aimed at preventing women from exercising their constitutionally protected rights.

Today, as loud as ever, the Assembly Majority says no.

No to employers who would use their power to silence a woman's needs.

No to anyone who says that blocking access to contraceptives or other health services is serving the public good.

No to those who believe that what should be her choice, is theirs to make.

No to those who think it is fair for thousands of women to risk their emotional or physical well-being.

Let me assure you, the Assembly Majority is prepared to keep up this fight for as long as it takes.

We know that real freedom begins with freedom over one's own body.

We were the first state to stand up in defense of this freedom - 3 years before Roe v. Wade.

We know that without this basic right, someone else will always have control over how and when women live their lives.

The women of this great state are pioneers. They are mothers and daughters. They are trailblazers. They are wives and they are CEOs. They are small business owners and they are care givers.

Most importantly, they are free.

It's time we stop the attacks on access and time we codify Roe v. Wade in New York. We must preserve our legacy for being leaders and champions for women and families. Again, thank you for being here today and as always, thank you for your hard work.