Juneau -- The following are remarks by Rep. Fred Dyson, delivered on the House Floor on March 19, 1999 in the wake of Superior Court Judge Sen Tan's decision related to state funding of abortions.

Mr. Speaker, Permission to speak on Disconnects

Disconnects of Power

This Wednesday, Judge Sen Tan fired a shot, not across our bow, but through the engine room of the legislature. The power of this body to make allocations of funds was significantly, if not profoundly, diminished.

One of our colleagues suggested yesterday that we should pass the Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR) fund withdrawal, adjourn and let the judges make the allocations.

In the last year we have learned that:

• This body cannot amend the Constitution
• The citizens cannot amend the Constitution.

This week we learned that:

• we cannot make allocations concerning elective surgical procedures.

Disconnects of Logic

In my varied life I have been called a lot of names, and insulted in crude and sometimes creative ways. A predominant memory of my childhood is being ridiculed and bullied. As a child, I had the concurrent disabilities of being skinny, having buckteeth, pimples, curly hair and good grades. I can vividly remember being trapped in the center of my tormentors, beaten, called names, and ridiculed. There was no escape for me. That experience has given me a core level revulsion for bullies, ridiculers, and name-callers.

Traditionally, my detractors were somewhat logical because I have advocated for, and have many friends who happen to be in various, so-called, minorities. I have been called an "N"-lover, a "Q"-lover, and an Indian lover.

On Thursday, a member of this body, who is apparently offended by my incessant advocacy for children called me a new name. Logic and tradition would have him impugn me with the title "Child Lover". Instead, he labeled me, and others in this body, a "Religious Extremist". This is a logic disconnect that I am incapable of following. I cheerfully prefer the consistent pattern and nomenclature of my former detractors.

On a more serious note, name-calling ducks the more important tasks of confronting the issue. It often depreciates the possibilities of future meaningful discussion. It is often the last refuge of cheap-shot artists who are unable to conduct their business on higher levels.

Parting of Anchor Lines

On another note, I am more concerned about what is happening to our compassion for simple human rights. We are losing our moral anchors. Instead of holding to transcendent and traditional human values, our moral anchors are dragging in the soft mud of selfishness and lost in the fog of self-serving relativism.

Our callousness to the slaughter of 301 million innocent and precious children is unconsciencable. Their blood and silent screams cry out for protection and compassion. We have failed them. Our guilt and shame engulf us.

For those abortion enthusiasts who believe their position honors and empowers women. I quote Simone de Beauvoir, a pioneer feminist of our time. Her life and her book, "the Second Sex", cast a long shadow and powerful influence on all human rights advocates.

Simone said, and I quote, "Abortion is the worst thing men have ever done to women. In the act of abortion, man reaches into a woman's body, tears out her child and kills it so he can return her to his pleasure as a sexual plaything."

Thank you.

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