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WASHINGTON, D.C., May 27, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Former supermodel, now pro-life advocate, Kathy Ireland added her voice this week to those calling on Congress to eliminate federal funding of Planned Parenthood, America’s largest abortion provider.

“I think Planned Parenthood needs to reassess and look at what their values are, what their mission is, what their goals are, and do they deserve government funding? For example, there are non-profits that I’m involved with, and we don’t get government funding,” Ireland told FoxNews.

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“We go out there, and if you really believe in this strongly enough to fight it for it, go get the funding,” she continued.  “To force people who don’t agree with some of the practices, I don’t believe in that. I don’t think taxpayers need to fund something as controversial as [Planned Parenthood].”

Ireland, who became famous in the 1980s and 1990s through numerous appearances on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s annual swimsuit edition, has become an ardent promoter of the right to life in the last decade or so.

Though she originally took a “pro-choice” position, she says she changed her mind after researching the issue in her husband’s medical manuals.

She told FoxNews her pro-life views have angered many colleagues in the entertainment industry.  “I’ve never set out to win a popularity contest,” she said.

“I spoke to top scientists throughout our country asking, ‘Would you please just show me some shred of evidence that the unborn is not a human being?’ and no one has been able to show me any,” she continued.

“I will continue to fight for those human rights until someone can show me otherwise,” she added. “So a lot of people get mad at me, but that’s okay. I listen to criticism because sometimes there are things to learn, even if it’s wrapped in a nasty package.”