加州州长杰里·布朗刚刚签署了一项法案，使垂死者自愿结束生命的权利合法化。布朗在签名的同时，向加利福尼亚州议会发出了一封发自内心的信，解释了批准《生命终结选择法》的原因。

布朗写道：“问题的关键在于加利福尼亚州是否应该继续将一个垂死的人的生命定为犯罪，不管他的痛苦有多大。”最后，我不得不反思，面对自己的死亡，我想要什么。”

“我不会否认别人有这个权利。”

布朗写道：“我不知道如果我在长时间的痛苦中死去，我会怎么做。”不过，我相信，能够考虑这项法案所提供的选择将是一种安慰。我不会否认别人有这个权利。”

该法案使加州成为美国第五个允许绝症患者按照自己的条件结束生命的州，加入了华盛顿、俄勒冈州、佛蒙特州和新墨西哥州。加州的法律将要求病人有能力给自己服用终止生命的药物。此外，患者的决定必须在两名证人面前签字的书面请求中提交，并且该程序必须得到两名医生的批准。

你可以在下面阅读布朗的完整信。

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

ABx2 15 is not an ordinary bill because it deals with life and death. The crux of the matter is whether the State of California should continue to make it a crime for a dying person to end his life, no matter how great his pain or suffering.

I have carefully read the thoughtful opposition materials presented by a number of doctors, religious leaders and those who champion disability rights. I have c***idered the theological and religious perspectives that any deliberate shortening of one's life is sinful.

I have also read the letters of those who support the bill, including heartfelt pleas from Brittany Maynard's family and Archbishop De**ond Tutu. In addition, I have discussed this matter with a Catholic Bishop, two of my own doctors and former clas**ates and friends who take varied, contradictory and nuanced positi***.

In the end, I was left to reflect on what I would want in the face of my own death. I do not know what I would do if I were dying in prolonged and excruciating pain. I am certain, however, that it would be a comfort to be able to c***ider the opti*** afforded by this bill. And I wouldn't deny that right to others.