Family Planning Advocates President Brooks Issues Statement on Murder Reproductive Health Provider Dr. Tiller

ALBANY, NY (05/31/2009)(readMedia)-- "New York's reproductive health community is stunned at this act of domestic terrorism, and we hope and expect Dr. George Tiller's killer will be brought to swift justice," said Family Planning Advocates President and CEO Tracey Brooks. "It is unconscionable that Dr. Tiller would be gunned down for providing critical reproductive health care services, including abortion, to women facing some of the most difficult medical circumstances."

His death is an enormous loss for his family, the patients who relied on him, his dedicated staff, the medical community and for women and their families across the nation.

"We call on those who are opposed to abortion to keep their debate respectful," Brooks urged. "Today's tragedy is too clear a reminder that inflammatory rhetoric can lead to tragic results."

Dr. Tiller was the epitome of high quality medical care underscored by deep compassion for his patients. This was not the first time he was targeted for his work, but it didn't lessen his commitment to providing women and their families with compassionate care.

Family Planning Advocates of New York State is a non-profit, statewide organization dedicated to protecting and expanding access to a full range of reproductive health care services. It represents New York's Planned Parenthood affiliates and other family planning centers, as well as hundreds of organizations and thousands of individual members.

-30-