Following is Governor Palin’s press release in its entirety regarding birth certificates for stillborn babies:
Governor Sarah Palin today signed legislation authorizing birth certificates for stillbirths. House Bill 2, sponsored by Representative Carl Gatto, allows the Bureau of Vital Statistics to issue certificates for stillborn babies at the request of the parents. HB 2 passed the House 29-1, Senate 18-1 (Stillbirths, 2009, ¶1).
“This is beautiful because this can surely help a grieving family after losing a child,” Governor Palin said. “I’m thankful that Alaska’s legislature recognizes how important a step like this is as Alaska embraces a culture of life and respects precious babies, including babies stillborn, but still loved by their families. Alaskans respect this sanctity of life and I appreciate Representative Gatto’s efforts” (Stillbirths, 2009, ¶2).
“HB 2 gives recognition that the mom of a stillborn child indeed had a birth and now will be able to request and receive a birth certificate stating that ‘yes, you delivered a precious child,’” Representative Gatto said. “Unbelievably, there are mothers who have been waiting 20 years to receive recognition that their child was born. Those moms who delivered a stillborn child left the hospital with nothing more than a death certificate and no acknowledgment that a birth actually took place. At the time of delivery, their child was no less loved” (Stillbirths, 2009, ¶3).
Approximately 50 stillbirths occur each year in Alaska (Stillbirths, 2009, ¶4).
Commentary
Kudos to Governor Palin and the Alaska legislature for standing up and doing the right thing — and passing this bill. It’s only logical that if a stillborn child receives a death certificate, that child should have a corresponding birth certificate. If a mother carried a child to term and gave birth, even if that child is DOA, the child was nonetheless born and delivered.
As anyone who knows even very little about Governor Palin knows — she does not merely preach pro-life — she lives it, and in 2008 “walked the walk” by being one of very few women who carry a Down Syndrome child to term. Her daughter Bristol, likewise could have taken the easy way out and aborted her pregnancy. So, Governor Palin is absolutely in a position to talk about and advocate for anything related to the subject of pro-life.
One of the matters a birth certificate for stillbirth cuts to is when life begins. That point is generally accepted to be once a sperm cell fertilizes an egg and the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall and meiosis begins. The birth certificate is recognition that this child once lived in its mother’s womb.
References
Governor signs House bill: Certificates for stillborn babies. (2009, May 1). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved May 2, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1801
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