Senator Raquel Teran, the Chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party, joined her fellow senators in voting for a bill that will benefit families with Down Syndrome members. The Senator, a staunch advocate for abortion, described the “kumbaya moment” her colleagues experienced last week during a hearing of the bill before casting her “yes” vote
Teran’s joy at meeting children with Down Syndrome surprised some of her colleagues given her history as a proponent of the widespread abortion of most children diagnosed with the genetic disorder. Teran’s pro-abortion advocacy earned her the 2019 Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona Civic Engagement Leader award.
According to one news report, about 67% of children in the United States who are diagnosed with Down Syndrome after genetic screening are aborted.
The Susan B. Anthony List notes, that “abortions make up 95% of Planned Parenthood’s pregnancy resolutions services, and for every adoption referral, Planned Parenthood performed nearly 81 abortions during the 2018-2019 reporting year.”
In her floor speech, Teran referred to what was described as “the feel good moment of the week,” when a 10-year-old boy with Down Syndrome, Adam Fraleigh, brightened the day for members of the Arizona State Senate Health and Human Services Committee with hugs and pats on the back.
Adam’s father, John Fraleigh, had come before the Committee to testify in favor of HB2113 on Wednesday, March 16. As he finished his compelling testimony on the need to expand the definition of developmental disability to include Downs Syndrome, Mr. Fraleigh told the senators, “I’m open for questions, he’s open for hugs.”
“You never know when someone’s heart will open and they will appreciate the amazing gift of life,” said one pro-life advocate, “and maybe this was that kind of moment for Senator Teran? Extreme abortion advocates place different values on people depending on the challenges they face, and many believe that babies with disorders that will add challenges to their lives should be killed before they ever get a chance. Hopefully little Adam Fraleigh will be a reminder to everyone that every one of us has value and deserves their chance at life.”
HB2113, sponsored by Rep. Michelle Udall, specifically expands the definition of developmental disability to include a severe, chronic disability that is attributable to Down Syndrome.
Currently, the Director of the Department of Economic Security (DES) is responsible for developing and annually revising a statewide plan and initiating statewide programs and services for persons with developmental disabilities. Services include child, adult, residential and resource services. An Arizona resident with a developmental disability, supported by medical and psychological documentation, is eligible to apply for developmental disabilities programs, services and facilities operated, licensed and supervised by DES (A.R.S. §§ 36-554 and 36-559).