1997 Timeline compiled by staff of the Centre Daily Times
For pregnancy related information and resources in State College, Pennsylvania, please check out:
"A Woman's Concern"
May 1: State College Medical Services' lease begins. Brigham and Eric Harrah, administrative director of the office, begin setting up the
practice.
July 2: HFL Corp. distributes a memo to all tenants of 467/477 E. Beaver Ave. stating that "... No tenant shall perform abortions of any nature in
leased premises at 467/477 E. Beaver Ave., State College, Pa."
Centre County Citizens Concerned for Human Life holds a press conference, gives background on Brigham and Harrah, and states its
opposition.
July 3: HFL Corp. notifies State College Medical Services that it will be evicted at noon on July 8, saying it was never told abortions would be
performed there.
July 8: The Friendly Corp. files a complaint in Centre County Court against HFL, saying its lease is valid and it had give notice that abortions
would be performed there.
July 16: State College Medical Services and HFL Corp. meet in Centre County Court about the pending eviction, but before a hearing can be
held, the two parties come to an agreement. HFL will not lock the practice out of its office but will await today's eviction hearing.
July 28: Centre Community Hospital declines a formal transfer agreement, which would permit the transfer of patients from State College
Medical Services to the hospital. Hospital officials state that they will not turn away any patients who need emergency care.
Aug. 1: Harrah files an anti-trust complaint against Centre Community Hospital with the U.S. Justice Department. The state Department of
Health later waives the transfer agreement requirement and Harrah withdraws his complaint.
Aug. 27: State College Medical Services is inspected by the state Department of Health. Harrah is notified that the office passed.
Aug. 31: Abortion opponents march down East College Avenue to Penn State during a Prayer Walk for Life held to protest the opening of
State College Medical Services.
Sept. 2: Harrah and Joseph V. Rogacs Jr., vice president of investments and a financial consultant at Smith Barney, in the same building as
the medical practice, get into a shoving match.
Rogacs's wife, Susan, is a member of Centre County Citizens Concerned for Human Life. Mr. Rogacs said Harrah pushed against him after
calling his wife a vulgar name.
Harrah said Rogacs shoved him and barred his entry to the building.
Sept. 5: Harrah quits his unpaid job as administrative director of State College Medical Services, effective Sept. 30. Harrah said the office will
officially open this week.
Sept. 7: Centre County Citizens Concerned for Human Life says it collected 6,135 signatures on a petition opposing the practice.
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