Planned Parenthood Statement on Dr. Tiller's Murder

The murder Sunday of a doctor who performed late-term abortions might not have come as a complete surprise, but it has saddened many in the pro-choice community. In fact, Dr. George Tiller had received death threats and a previous attempt on his life. Yet he continued to perform lat
e-term abortions when a woman's life was endangered.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America released a statement on Sunday, which reads as such:
"NEW YORK, NY — Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, today issued the following statement on the murder of reproductive health care provider Dr. George Tiller in Wichita, KS.

"The entire Planned Parenthood family is deeply saddened by the murder of Dr. George Tiller. While he was not a Planned Parenthood provider, he was an integral part of our community and his loss is felt by all of us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and those close to him who are suffering a personal tragedy.

"Dr. Tiller was the epitome of high-quality medical care underscored by deep compassion for his patients. He provided critical reproductive health care services, including abortion services to women facing some of the most difficult medical circumstances. He was continually harassed by abortion opponents for much of his career — his clinic was burned down; he was shot by a health center protester; and he was recently targeted for investigation only to be acquitted by a jury just a few months ago. None of this stopped George Tiller from his commitment to providing women and their families with compassionate care that others were unwilling to offer.

"His death is an enormous loss for the patients who relied on him, his dedicated staff, the medical community and for women and their families across America." (Planned Parenthood Federation's website)

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The above statement, as well as a summary of Planned Parenthood Federation, can be read online at http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/planned-parenthood-federation-america-statement-murder-dr-george-tiller-27643.htm.