WASHINGTON (March 9, 2000) -- Helen Alvaré, Director of Planning and Information for the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued the following statement today:

"It has come to our attention that abortion supporters on the House Commerce Subcommittee on Health and Environment will attempt to exclude the press and the public from tomorrow's hearing on trafficking in fetal body parts from abortion clinics. This must not be allowed to happen. People have a right to know. Tomorrow's hearing goes to the question whether the law banning commercial trafficking in human tissues has loopholes which are being exploited. The press and the public will have no way to determine whether this law is inadequate if the testimony is hidden from them.

"This attempt to hide information from the press and public is simply another means of making sure that the disturbing subject at the heart of the abortion debate -- abortion itself -- is kept from public view. Abortion advocates must not be permitted to conceal the practices of a large abortion industry from the citizens of the United States."

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