Rep. Ted Harvey Monday was rebuked Monday for introducing on the House floor a woman who said her cerebral palsy was caused by a botched late-term abortion.
Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, said he told the woman's story on the same day the House planned to consider a resolution to recognize the 90th anniversary of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains because, "I just wanted to put a face to this celebration."
But Kate Horle, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, said "There's no statistical evidence that cerebral palsy has been caused by failed abortions."
"I would be hard-pressed to believe that cerebral palsy was caused by a failed abortion. I have yet to see any justifiable medical evidence to that effect," she said.
Harvey's move drew a sharp rebuke from Democratic House Majority Leader Alice Madden.
"I think it was amazingly rude to use a human being as an example of his personal politics," Madden said.
It is against House rules, she said, for a member to use an introduction to speak about matters pending before the House.
Madden is the sponsor of the resolution to recognize the 90th anniversary of Planned Parenthood.
"He embarrassed a guest in the House, which was just despicable, for his own means," Madden said.
Gianna Jessen, whom Harvey introduced after she sang the national anthem, said that while she didn't expect it, she was glad Harvey told her story.
"We need to discuss the humanity of it. I'm glad to be able to speak up for children in the womb," she said. "If abortion is about women's rights, where were my rights?"
Harvey and Jessen said her biological mother was 7 1/2 months pregnant when she attempted a saline abortion at a Planned Parenthood clinic that was supposed to result in a stillbirth. But, she was born alive.
Jessen, of Nashville, Tenn., said she was in town because she was a keynote speaker at a fundraiser for a pro-life organization.
Staff writer Chris Frates can be reached at cfrates@denverpost.com or 303-820-1633. | 
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