WASHINGTON (June 30, 1999) --The executive director of the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, National Conference of Catholic Bishops, praised passage of the Child Custody Protection Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives today (June 30) by a vote of 270-159. The bill (H.R. 1218) affirms the right of parents to protect their minor daughter from those who have no legal responsibility for her, and who unilaterally decide that a secret abortion is her best "option."

"We are grateful to the members of the House who today voted in support of the Child Custody Protection Act," said Gail Quinn. "This is legislation that protects parents, protects their teenage daughters, and protects the integrity of state laws. It is common sense legislation which all should support."

"Too often," Ms. Quinn continued, "those who are not parents circumvent state laws by taking young girls across state lines for secret abortions. The parents are not told, much less asked. The Child Custody Protection Act will help remedy this usurpation of parental rights and responsibilities," she said.

Ms. Quinn noted that parents are normally required to consent to medical procedures for their children. "Something as serious as abortion-a harmful, life-changing procedure-should not be an exception."

Ms. Quinn urged the Senate to pass the legislation and called on President Clinton to sign it into law.

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