Muckler attacks pro-life supporter

To the editor:

Missouri Right to Life is disappointed to see that state Rep. Matt Muckler of Ferguson, Mo., made a special attack on a pro-life colleague, state Rep. Jason Crowell of Cape Girardeau, in a letter to your newspaper.

The floor debate in perfecting House Bill 1339 lasted most of the day in which pro-abortion legislators threw sharp and bitter abuse at the bill's sponsor, state Rep. Jane Cunningham.

Muckler did not rise to defend the bill but to add an amendment to have the health department of the current pro-abortion administration prepare and disseminate materials on alternatives to abortion. One could legitimately wonder about the quality of such materials.

While we support alternatives to abortion, estimates by the legislative oversight office indicated Muckler's amendment would have required a huge fiscal note, which could have killed the bill. Even in his letter Muckler did not offer a defense of the bill but chose instead to attack Crowell, who acted to bring this pro-life bill to a successful vote.

If HB 1339 is approved by the Missouri Senate and signed by the governor, it will allow parents to sue for damages if someone helps to sneak their daughter to an abortionist in violation of the Missouri law that calls for parental consent. It also contains certain other provisions to close loopholes in Missouri abortion law.

PAM FICHTER

President

Missouri Right to Life

Jefferson City, Mo.