mr. speaker , i support s. 686 , for the relief of the parents of theresa marie schiavo .  while i continue to support the right of individuals ( through living wills ) and families ( when no living will exists ) to make such difficult decisions , this case is unusual in two ways .  first , while most families are united in these judgments , this family is clearly divided .  second , terri schiavo is not unresponsive to those around her , as is typically the case when these decisions are made .  according to her mother , terri smiles , laughs , cries , and otherwise responds to the presence of her family and others .  s. 686 does not make medical decisions .  it merely allows terri schiavo 's family the right to have their case heard in federal court -- a right routinely accorded to death row inmates .  that right certainly should be accorded to a disabled person .  