ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, March 5, 1997               TAG: 9703050106
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL   PAGE: A-3  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: RALEIGH, N.C.

APPOINTMENT RAISES IRE OF LIBERALS

A state lawmaker who once insisted that rape victims can't get pregnant because ``the juices don't flow'' has been appointed co-chairman of a committee on abortion and other social issues.

Rep. Henry Aldridge's appointment to the leadership post on the House Committee on Human Resources sends a ``disturbing message,'' said Chris Fitzsimon, executive director of the liberal Common Sense Foundation.

The 73-year-old Republican, appointed by House Speaker Harold Brubaker, caused an uproar in 1995 when he said state funds for abortions on rape victims are unnecessary.

``The facts show that people who are raped, who are truly raped, the juices don't flow, the body functions don't work, and they don't get pregnant,'' Aldridge said. He later said his comments were ``stupid.''

- Associated Press

LENGTH: Short :   27 lines