~ Bicameral resolution honors abortion providers and clinic staff by designating March 10, 2025 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day” ~
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Gary Peters (D-MI) and U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) led 19 of their colleagues in reintroducing a bicameral resolution honoring abortion providers and staff by designating March 10, 2025 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day.” The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day resolution affirms that abortion providers are valued as they provide reproductive care despite pressures, restrictions, political interference, and threats to their personal safety. It also highlights the essential role that these providers play in providing safe access to reproductive care, including abortions. The introduction of this resolution follows a 2022 report by the National Abortion Federation, which shows a rise in major incidents like stalking and death threats directed at patients, abortion care providers, and volunteers.
“As we commemorate Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, we honor the bravery of these health professionals who provide crucial care to thousands of people across the country every day,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m proud to reintroduce this resolution in recognition of these essential health care providers, who continue to help their patients even in the face of violence, threats, and intimidation. Today, we also reaffirm our commitment in the fight to protect and secure reproductive rights for all.”
“Abortion providers deliver essential, lifesaving health care to patients in need all across this country,” said Senator Peters. “Particularly since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, these medical professionals have faced threats and personal attacks but continue to make sure Americans can receive reproductive health care. I’m honored to once again lead this resolution with Senator Hirono to recognize their courage and dedication.”
“With Trump and Republicans inciting violence and harassment at abortion clinics, the dedicated work of abortion providers is all the more essential in our fight to protect and advance reproductive justice. There is no just world in which abortion care providers should have to fear for their own lives and the lives of their patients,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley. “We are grateful for providers’ labor and perseverance to deliver for those seeking critical health care. I am grateful to Senator Hirono for her partnership and leadership and I am proud to reintroduce this resolution to designate “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day” to honor the commitment of abortion care providers and affirm the dignity, safety, and appreciation they so deserve.”
The resolution was inspired by Dr. David Gunn, an abortion provider who was killed outside his clinic in Pensacola, Florida by a white supremacist and anti-abortion extremist in the first known instance of the murder of an abortion provider. To honor his legacy, Abortion Provider Appreciation Day was established on March 10, 1996 as a day to show appreciation for the essential, high-quality care that abortion providers and staff provide to their communities and to celebrate their courage and dedication.
“Our father believed in and trusted his patients to make the best possible decisions regarding their families which stands in direct opposition to those in the current administration who rely upon fear, hatred, coercion, guilt, and the power of the church and state to dictate their choices, liberty, and bodily autonomy,” said David Gunn, Jr., son of Dr. David Gunn. “Therefore, on the 32nd anniversary of our father's assassination, we reiterate and reaffirm his trust and faith in the individual, not in the state, when it comes to matters of reproductive choice and health. We stand with the provider community at large and wholeheartedly support their dedication to the proposition that individual choice, not state sanction, is the key to freedom and liberty.”
“My father’s life was brutally stolen by a violent anti-abortion extremist. His death was not just a personal loss but a tragic reminder of the dangers of hatred disguised as righteousness. I honor his memory by standing for justice, compassion, and the freedom of the right to choose that he so firmly believed in,” said Wendy Gunn, daughter of Dr. David Gunn. “These are very dark times for reproductive freedoms. It is so important that we not lose sight in how we got here and just how much harder we have to work to restore these rights for everyone who deserves autonomy over their own body.
“Our father's death is representative of just how far these anti-abortion and hate groups will go in order to control our reproductive freedoms. On the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, Jan. 22, 1993, my father walked outside of The Beacon Women's Clinic in Montgomery, AL with a boom box and held it high while blasting Tom Petty's classic tune 'I Won't Back Down' directly to the protesters outside that had been stalking him and harassing him for years. He was fed up and wanted them to know that he would not be silenced or work in fear. Two months later he was gunned down while going to work in Pensacola, FL. We must continue to fight with intense dedication and great fervor. And if we start to waver, remember that moment in 1993 when Dr. Gunn found his voice, and sing along as loud and as proud as you can.”
The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day Resolution demonstrates a commitment to abortion providers and staff by:
“Every day, abortion providers across the country provide time-sensitive and essential health care to patients — in confidence and without judgment. They do so while navigating escalating political attacks, medical disinformation, and threats on their lives and the lives of their families,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day honors all these doctors, nurses, clinicians, counselors, and health care staffers for their commitment to caring for our communities. These heroes are protecting the lives and health of millions of people and their families, and we are deeply grateful for their expertise and compassion. Planned Parenthood will never stop fighting for abortion providers’ ability to provide care without harassment and persecution. On this Abortion Providers Appreciation Day, we thank them, we support them, and we honor them.”
“Now more than ever, we need complex models of care that center community and prioritize those at the margins. Abortion providers have always known and lived deeply into this truth. This Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, I am grateful for the co-leadership of Senators Hirono, Peters, and Congresswoman Pressley who are leading the charge to honor and reflect the authentic display of care abortion providers show up and provide their communities. In light of the Trump Administration’s disturbing commitment to attacking and villainizing people who need and provide abortion care, it is critical that we have champions in Congress shining a light on the way that abortion providers show up for patients every single day. In spite of legislative attacks, in spite of misinformation and disinformation about their jobs, in spite of navigating increased protestor activity and clinic violence, abortion providers show an unrelenting commitment to trusting people to know what they need for their lives, and they embody that trust no matter how hostile the climate,” said Physicians for Reproductive Health President & CEO Dr. Jamila Perritt.
“Every day they go to work, abortion providers – from doctors to clinic administrators, patient advocates, counselors, medical assistants, nurses, and security personnel – deliver essential, sometimes life-saving health care. Yet their work is often met with protest, harassment, and stigmatization. NAF will continue to do everything within our power to ensure providers have the resources, trainings, security support and medical guidelines they need to deliver high-quality, abortion care to their communities,” said Brittany Fonteno, President and CEO, National Abortion Federation.
“Abortion Provider Appreciation Day was originally started to counter an act of white supremacist and anti-abortion violence,” said National Network of Abortion Funds Interim Executive Director, Poonam Dreyfus-Pai. “31 years later, anti-abortion extremists are still doing everything they can to roll back our rights and access. Abortion funds show up every day to ensure people can access abortion in the face of relentless attacks, barriers, violence, and stigma. They work closely with the abortion providers in their community. We must unequivocally support and celebrate everyone who provides abortion care, today and every day. From providers to abortion funds, thank you to everyone who makes abortion access a reality.”
“Nearly three years after the Supreme Court overturned the right to abortion, attacks on reproductive health care continue to escalate nationwide. Under the Trump administration, anti-abortion extremists are more emboldened than ever. Yet, despite relentless harassment, threats, and even violence, abortion providers and clinic staff courageously continue to provide essential care,” said Jackii Wang, senior legislative analyst at the National Women’s Law Center. “Today, we honor their resilience, unwavering dedication, and bravery — including the courage of Dr. David Gunn, who dedicated his life to this mission. The National Women’s Law Center proudly supports those on the frontlines who are fighting every day to ensure people can access the care they need.”
The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day Resolution is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America; National Women’s Law Center; National Abortion Federation; Physicians for Reproductive Health; National Network of Abortion Funds; Power to Decide; Guttmacher Institute; National Partnership for Women & Families; National Council of Jewish Women; Abortion Care Network; In Our Own Voice; National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum; and Center for Reproductive Rights.
In addition to Senators Hirono and Peters, the resolution is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
In addition to Representative Pressley, the resolution is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), Elenator Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07), and Nikema Williams (D-GA-05).
The full text of the resolution is available here.
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