Statement from Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, on Resignation of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens

“United States Supreme Court Associate Justice John Paul Stevens has served the American people with dignity and distinction.

“During his long and productive tenure as an associate justice, he protected and strengthened individual liberties embodied in our nation’s Constitution and Bill of Rights, respected legal precedent that is fundamental to the fabric of our society, and upheld the letter of the law.

“In the landmark Supreme Court case, Planned Parenthood v. Casey, Justice Stevens expressed his view of equality, writing, ‘Roe is an integral part of a correct understanding of both the concept of liberty and the basic equality of men and women.’ Stevens quoted Justice Thurgood Marshall: “Our whole constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control men’s minds.” And concluded, ‘The same holds true for the power to control women’s bodies.’

“We thank Justice Stevens for his service to the American people and for his fundamental understanding of what freedom means to women. We honor his legacy and wish him well in his retirement.

“As President Obama now turns to selecting a new justice for the court, we have full confidence that he will choose someone who will stand equally strong for the constitutional principles that Justice Stevens upheld so steadfastly.”

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate nearly 800 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.