Religious Freedom Coalition's letter of support of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act to Congressman Lindsey Graham. August 2, 1999 Honorable Lindsey Graham Dear Congressman Graham: The Religious Freedom Coalition strongly supports the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, H. R. 2436. We believe criminals should be held responsible if, during commission of a federal crime, they cause death or injury to an unborn child. The current federal law is severely lacking, because it treats death or injury to a child in the womb as of no consequence. Michael James Lenz III, was already named and eagerly awaited by his parents who could watch his development through ultrasound pictures taken of his mother, Carrie Lenz. Tragically, Carrie was one of the victims killed by a bomb which destroyed the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. Little Michael was a victim, too, as the grieving family would assure us, but his death was not acknowledged by authorities who counted the victims. In another case, Karlene Robbins was eight months pregnant when she lost her baby daughter due to a brutal beating by her husband, Airman Gregory Robbins, who deliberately and repeatedly struck her abdomen with his fists. Karlene recovered from the beating, but her daughter died. Gregory was convicted of assault and battery against his wife. Because the baby was killed in Ohio, Air Force attorneys were also able to get Robbins convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Ask this young mother whether involuntary manslaughter is a proper judgement on the murder of her child. In many states, there would have been no conviction or punishment at all for taking the baby’s life. The Unborn Victims of Violence Act is needed because under its provisions, the same federal laws which apply to other victims of violence would also apply to unborn children. We believe this would be just and fair to the children involved and to their families, and we commend you for offering this legislation. Sincerely yours, William J. Murray |