A measure co-sponsored by U.S. Rep.

Mike Kelly, R-3rd, which would end taxpayer funding of the United Nations Population Fund, on Wednesday was voted out of the House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee.Kelly said the legislation would prohibit funding for UNFPA based on its long-standing support of and participation in China’s one-child policy, which involves forced sterilization and coercive abortion to meet the nation’s strict population control mandate.For years, the United States refused to fund the UNFPA. However, Kelly noted,

President Obama in March 2009 reinstated funding, and has since contributed $145 million in taxpayer funds to the controversial program.If enacted, the legislation would save $400 million over 10 years by eliminating all U.S. contributions to UNFPA, supporters said.———The state Senate recently approved legislation that would make it easier for the public to research birth and death records maintained by the commonwealth, after a suitable waiting period, according to Sen.

Bob Robbins, R-50th.Robbins’ measure would open birth records to the public 105 years after the date of birth and death records 50 years after the date of death.Currently, those records are considered by the state to be closed and only immediate family members are eligible to obtain a certified birth and/or death record.Beginning in 1906 all births and deaths in Pennsylvania were recorded by the commonwealth, with the exception of Philadelphia, which compiled the records until 1915.From 1893 through 1905 births and deaths were recorded at the county level. These records have always been open to the public for research.In addition those individuals who were born before 1906 and their birth was not recorded, were able to file an application at the county level for a “delayed birth certificate,” a necessity for anyone applying for social security.These records have also been open for public research.“Every state neighboring Pennsylvania currently opens birth and death records to public review after a designated waiting period,” Robbins said.“Under my bill, the commonwealth would open birth records to the public 105 years after the date of birth and death records 50 years after the date of death. I believe that is an acceptable waiting period which would provide confidentiality to individuals.”———State House Majority Leader

Mike Turzai, R-28th, last week released the following statement regarding the recent Quinnipiac Poll showing a majority of Pennsylvanians, including union households, support the commonwealth getting out of the liquor business:“The recent Quinnipiac poll further proves what we’ve been saying all along: The state should not be in the business of selling alcohol. Poll after poll has shown that a majority of Pennsylvanians — and even more surprisingly, a majority of union households — support privatization.“Privatization will lead to thousands of private sector jobs — many of which will be union. People understand our state store system is antiquated and inconvenient. It’s time to move Pennsylvania out of the Prohibition era.”———U.S. Rep.

Jason Altmire, D-4th, on Sept. 27 sent a letter to the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services,

Kathleen Sebelius, regarding a recently proposed regulation related to coverage of contraceptive drugs, a mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.Beginning in August 2012, group health plans will be required to cover the cost for all drugs approved for contraception.An exemption exists within the new regulation for a “religious employer,” but the definition of those organizations is narrow, and could ultimately force religiously-affiliated organizations to restrict or end their community servicesAltmire, in his letter, requested that HHS reconsider the definition in the new regulation to protect important services that religiously-affiliated institutions provide.“By placing a burdensome regulation on organizations that morally object to its purpose, we threaten the services that religious organizations provide to our communities.“If this regulation stays intact, religiously-affiliated organizations could be forced to serve only those individuals that share their views or stop serving all together. I strongly urge Secretary Sebelius to take another look at this proposed guidance and consider the impact it could have on important community programs.”———U.S. Rep.

Mike Kelly, R-3rd, last week issued the following statement on the imminent execution of Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian Christian pastor who is facing the death penalty for his Christian faith:“I strongly condemn the Iranian regime’s plan to impose the death penalty on Youcef Nadarkhani, a Christian pastor whose only ‘crime’ is refusing to renounce his Christian faith despite the regime’s repeated demands to do so.“The regime’s actions are an affront to basic, universal, human rights that are the birthright of all people and have a chilling effect on the ability of all Iranians, especially its religious minorities, to engage in the free exercise of religion without fear of persecution.“The regime’s actions are contrary to international human rights standards and are a breach of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party and which it has therefore sworn to uphold.“I strongly urge the Iranian government to grant Mr. Nadarkhani an immediate and unconditional release.”———Heard any good fish stories lately?If not, you may want to hook up with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to check out the calendar of upcoming events, stocking schedules and receive periodic updates, according to state Sen.

Don White, R-41st.“We are fortunate to have so many fine streams, lakes and rivers in Pennsylvania and especially in our local area,” White said. “The commission provides a tremendous amount of good information on its website www.pfbc.state.pa.us. Anglers and boaters can check out special events and sign up for notifications as well.”The PFBC’s online stocking schedule provides a complete list of fall stockings in your favorite streams and lakes at http://pfbc.state.pa.us/pfbc_webgis/TroutStockingDetailsFall.aspx.A listing of special events, including the popular Family Fishing Program, are available at: http://pfbc.state.pa.us/Calendar/Default.aspx.Anglers and boaters can sign up to receive e-mail updates on the activities of the Fish and Boat Commission at http://www.fishandboat.com/newsreleases/edelivery.htm. The PFBC is also using today’s popular social media. Individuals can stay in touch by following the commission on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fishandboat.———To help promote awareness of the growing incidence of domestic violence and provide help to at-risk individuals, state Sen.

Jane Orie, R-40th, has sponsored Senate Resolution 193 designating October 2011 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.“The crime of domestic violence is more prevalent and more underreported than many people realize,” Orie said. “About 2.3 million people each year are physically or sexually assaulted by a domestic partner, and at least 1,532 people died in domestic violence related incidents between 2001 and 2010.”