For Immediate Release:	November 5, 2008
For More Information:	Marjorie Signer, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, msigner@rcrc.org, 202-628-7700 ext. 208
Sponsor Organization:	Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
Statement of Reverend Dr. Carlton W. Veazey, President and CEO, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
In concert with millions of pro-choice people of faith, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) celebrates the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States. RCRC is the national coalition of religious and religiously affiliated organizations from 14 traditions that support reproductive choice on religious grounds. Barack Obama is a man with deep respect for religious traditions who has openly and often championed reproductive healthcare, abortion rights and comprehensive sexuality education. We are a nation that believes in the right to make decisions according to our faith and conscience – and reproductive choice is the embodiment of that fundamental principle. While President-elect Obama faces the urgent issues of war, the economy and health care, he also has the opportunity to bring people together to find common-ground measures to safeguard reproductive choices and health. His message that “America is one nation” holds great promise for defusing the culture wars over abortion that have too often distracted us from addressing pressing problems such as unintended pregnancy. We urge President-elect Obama to be a Pro-Faith, Pro-Family, Pro-Choice president: to uphold Roe v. Wade and reproductive choice, foster respect for diverse views about abortion, protect access to services, and ensure there is full support and funding for “prevention” measures that will reduce the need for abortion: sexuality education, birth control, pre-natal healthcare, and counseling. RCRC member organizations include the Presbyterian Church (USA), the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, the Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ, Catholics for Choice, and the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist movements of Judaism. While united in support for reproductive choice on religious grounds, member organizations hold diverse views on the issues.