There's timing backstage. That was what have so much energy in this room, all the leaders, all the activists, all the elected officials, thank you for having me. Let me say a few words. It means a lot. And I've seen you all out there. I've seen you all around the countries fighting, fighting for all of us fighting for our rights. So I see we all see let's just go back to here. I remember where I was, but I also still remember how I felt. And I'm still angry a year later, but I just I can't remember it. I was here in DC. My wife the vice president. Still never gets all the same. When she was on Air Force to do the traveling to an event, and the newspaper said she was able to see it. And she called me within seconds. And it was something like Debbie actually did it. They actually did. And then within minutes, our then 23 year old daughter Ella texted me to hear from her What am I here for? This was one of these Dad, you need to do something about this and then within minutes after that, my 80 something year old mother Barb, again, don't hear from her. It was like honey, you need to do something about this. And think about that a woman of that age of that generation and she was one of those women who was out there fighting and marching and fighting through the rights that have been just drastically ripped away. And that was my mother. And now think about all these years later. 23 Now 24 year old daughter, somehow is going to have less rights than my 87 year old mother that cannot stand that cannot stand
like I said, I'm still angry about this but like all of us, we have to turn that anger into action. So for my car this past year, I've written articles. I've traveled and spoken all over the country, a lot of times to young men to get them as activators and I've worked with these three groups. I've worked with a lot of you talking about the important issue of abortion access and reproductive freedom. And just yesterday, I had to say I pretty painful group of conversations with medical providers and hearing firsthand a horror stories that are now out in the news. But this is real life. And this has an absolute real life impact on the women. And these stories are horrific. These draconian laws. In these states that have no regard for women's health, let alone our fundamental rights are literally affecting and sometimes fatally the health of the women in this country and us men. This is an issue for us to all of us and that's why I think it's important to use my my voice and this microphone to talk about this issue that abortion access. reproductive freedom is an issue for all of us, men, women, everyone.
Thanks, any defects are fundamental rights and women cannot be less than it's just also it's just the right thing to do. It's the right thing to do. So I could not be prouder to be part of this team led by our great President Biden, Vice President Harris has, you know, they are fighting for you each and every day for fundamental human rights and for the future of this country. And I get to see it firsthand. They have your back. They have all of our battles. And speaking of a leader a warrior for so many issues, and again, I get to see it firsthand. Someone who stands up for human rights or women's rights, the rights of women and girls all over the world, not just here are amazing. First Lady, my good friend, Dr. Joe Biden.
Thank you my knowledge to all the women out there with heels she just slipped them
off right now. God bless Chico the backs you back stating what you're seeking and I said, are they all standing that long? So anyway, thank you. And as you said, you know, this isn't just a women's issue, and we're never going to make the progress we need unless more men like you. And like Joe are willing to speak up and get to work
you're facing second gen isn't a thing.
So good afternoon. I grew up before Roe v. Wade. And abortion was something that really really whispered about and it was shrouded in secrecy and shame. And in that silence so much was lost security and dignity, dreams and even likes road change so much. But a lot of people didn't want to talk about this issue. Maybe I don't know. Maybe they thought it was too political. Maybe they didn't think we needed to because after all, Roe was the law of the land. But you the advocates have never been silent. You've worked tirelessly, long before the last row to protect women and strengthen the right to choose. Thank you for your work
by yourselves refighting the battles of the past, and it's heartbreaking. And yes, you know, we knew that there would be devastating consequences from this decision. But nailing still could prepare me from what I heard a group of courageous women who share their stories at the White House this week. Maybe you saw it was Elizabeth and young, Nancy Austin. They came from different backgrounds and states, Florida, Texas, Louisiana. However, the details of their experiences were similar. They wanted these pregnancies there. Was Crick shopping and ultrasound stuck to the fridge and then devastating diagnosis. Doctors who refuse them have pain and humiliation and deadly infections. They describe being told that they were in medical danger, but not enough to get the abortions they needed. They talked about being afraid to tell people what happened. A feeling like a criminal as they fled their home state to get care how their spouses felt, helpless, terrified for their families. They recall their stories and if you saw it was done like spring, poise, practiced. But then I would see a memory flash across their eyes, as if they were back in that bathroom, waiting for the worst or praying that they make it to safety as they cross the state line. Their voices will crack. They pause to fight back the tears and we all waited in silence. Grabbing a hand breathing together through the pain. It was a sisterhood of survivors. Not just a loss, but about cruelty. That made that loss so much worse. The women I spoke to didn't want to relive the worst moments of their lives. But they kept doing it. They could tell their stories again and again. Not for themselves. But for all of the women who can't if they can raise their voices. How can we do any less?
Kamala in the White House, hey, we will do it again.
Education Leaders and families were founded on the ability to choose when they have children, for the young women who will grow up in the world are shaping for them right now. And for all the fathers and the brothers and the husbands and the sons who love them. My mom used to tell me, Joe, things will always look better in the morning and she was right. We take it day by day, battled by battle. We don't lose hope. And we don't quit. We honor the struggle that women who came before us and we will find our courage for the ones who come next. We wake up each day in the bright light of morning and keep fighting for our future knowing in our hearts that yes, together. We will win.
