Honoring Tony Lauinger -- Part Two of Two

Editor’s note. The following tribute was given by NRLC Board Chairman Geline Williams and was delivered at the Saturday night banquet that concluded NRL 2008.

Tonight we have the privilege of honoring a pro-lifer whose activism began like so many of his – at the community level. A Georgetown graduate, father of eight and former officer in the United States Navy, Anthony J. Lauinger has been a leader of the pro-life movement and stalwart advocate for unborn babies for thirty-five in every venue, including as a delegate to the Republican National Convention three times and alternate delegate twice.

Together with his wife, Phyllis, he co-founded Tulsans for Life in 1973. And he continues to serve as state chairman of National Right to Life’s Oklahoma affiliate, Oklahomans for Life.

Selflessly, Tony has given of himself to serve as a leader of the pro-life movement. For thirty years, he has represented the state of Oklahoma on the National Right to Life Board of Directors, where he has repeatedly been elected to leadership positions by his fellow board members. Tony served as an at-large member of the executive committee for seven years, six years as treasurer and is currently serving his eleventh year as vice president of National Right to Life.

Over the past 30 years, Tony has helped lead the national movement, but even more remarkable are the pro-life gains that have been made in the Oklahoma legislature.

Through his leadership and initiative, Oklahoma has become one of the most pro-life states in the country. The state has received a highly-coveted “F” grade by NARAL – an achievement we can all hope to achieve someday in our own states.

Tony has helped usher bill after bill through the legislature and see many become law. Year after year, he returned to members of the Oklahoma General Assembly; built support for pro-life legislation; and, like so many of us; worked tirelessly until a Governor’s pro-abortion veto was overturned.

Just this year, Oklahoma enacted the strongest ultrasound law in the country. Oklahoma also has the strongest conscience protection for medical and scientific personnel; the strongest parental involvement law; a strong women’s right to know law, and a strong wrongful life/wrongful birth law protecting medical personnel from lawsuits when they allow disabled children to live.

His efforts in guiding legislation through the legislature got Oklahoma out of the abortion business and, a separate measure got the state into the funding of adult stem cell research which does not killing human embryos.

Tony’s unrelenting tenacity, tireless and selfless dedication to the cause of life all have ensured that countless children are alive today.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in honoring our good friend and National Right to Life’s vice president, Tony Lauinger.