Editor's note. Please send your comments to
daveandrusko@gmail.com.
Over the weekend the National Right to Life
board of directors conducted its quarterly
meeting at a hotel minutes away from our
nation's capital. Thinking about that
gathering of representatives from all 50
states, I would like to share a few
conclusions which I believe you'll find
extremely encouraging.
We'd all been inspired by the outpouring of
pro-life activism surrounding the
commemoration of the 36th anniversary of the
noxious Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton
decisions. It was wonderful to have a
tremendous turnout in Washington, DC, but it
was even more important that pro-lifers
around the country gathered at their
respective state capitals.
As always we fight a multi-front
war--locally, national, in the courts, in
the classrooms, in the media, and on the
Internet.
But in addition to fighting Pro-abortion
President Barack Obama's Abortion Agenda,
more than ever we will be working overtime
to pass protective legislation in the
states. (We will be talking about that in
the February issue of National Right to Life
News. If you are not a subscriber, call us
at 202-626-8828.)
The mastermind, the play caller, if you
will, for state legislation is Mary
Spaulding Balch, J.D. I can say without
equivocation that there is no pro-life
attorney who combines Mary's experience,
insight, legislative savvy, and ability to
hold people's hands/infuse courage at just
the right moment.
Mary is part of the legal team on the staff
of National Right to Life. The others
include her husband, Burke Balch, JD, who
heads the Robert Powell Center for Medical
Ethics, and his associate, Jennifer Popik,
JD; Senior Legislative Counsel Susan Muskett,
JD; and Legislative Counsel Dorothy Yeung,
JD. While few in number, their influence at
the state and national level is enormous.
But all of Mary's talents could not carry
the day were it not for the nature of NRLC
as an organization. Without a "presence" in
a given state, we could not educate public
officials. NRLC has such a presence in each
of the 50 states.
What this means is that in almost all
instances if a piece of protective
legislation is passed--or a pro-abortion one
defeated--in all likelihood it is because of
the work of the NRLC affiliate. If you want
to become part of that team, just click on
http://www.nrlc.org/states/index.html to
get information how to swiftly and easily
contact your state's NRL affiliate.
I very much wish you to read Parts
Two and
Three.
Part Two is
a sampling of some of the stunning remarks
which are already a hallmark of the new
pro-abortion Administration and the
pro-abortion leadership of the House and
Senate. Part
Three is pro-life champion Rep. Chris
Smith's response to pro-abortion President
Obama's executive order overturning the
Mexico City Policy and, by necessity,
increasingly the number of abortions
worldwide.
So let me conclude with this. At the same
time the board was meeting, over 30 young
pro-lifers were three floors up taking part
in the annual National Teens for Life Youth
Leadership Summit.
The summit trains teenagers to be advocates
for life in their schools, churches, and
communities. National-caliber speakers were
educating participants on everything from
the history of abortion and euthanasia to
stem cells and cloning. Practical training
for local involvement was also provided.
I stopped in for a few minutes. Very, very
impressive and very, very reassuring.
Do keep NRLC in your prayers. Whether in
Washington, DC, or any/all of the 50 states,
we have a lot on our plate. To accomplish
what needs to be done, we need you!
Below are two coupons. One, if you are
already a member of NRLC, the other if you
are not. I very much hope you will fill them
out to help us Stop President Obama's
Abortion Agenda.
