JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, today was honored by the Missouri Family Policy Council for his commitment to protecting human life and aggressive determination to uncover the truth about Planned Parenthood’s business practices.

The organization, which provides abortion services, came under fire earlier this year after undercover videos were released that revealed the organization had possibly been illegally selling fetal tissue to medical laboratories. In response, Senate Leadership immediately formed the Senate Interim Committee on the Sanctity of Life, of which Sen. Schaefer was named chairman. It was during these committee hearings that evidence of an improper relationship between the University of Missouri and the Columbia, Mo., Planned Parenthood abortion clinic came to light.

“From Day One when we learned of this scandal, I vowed that we would get MU out of the abortion business,” Sen. Schaefer said. “Thanks to the persistence of our investigation and the public pressure applied by many defenders of life, we achieved that outcome and many unborn lives will be saved as a result.”

Together, the seven-member panel was tasked with conducting an in-depth analysis of the Planned Parenthood business model and methods by which they dispose of human remains from aborted fetuses, and determining whether any state dollars were ever directly used in such activity, as well as other duties. Senator Schaefer says the committee’s investigation is ongoing.

“Missourians deserve to know the truth behind this potentially atrocious violation of our state laws and humane values. This committee will conduct a rigorous investigation into the monstrous and inconceivable acts carried out by Planned Parenthood. The national outrage over these videos should be much stronger than it is. It is absolutely disgusting.”