By Karen Cross

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Hundreds of pro-life West Virginians, most clad in yellow "Rally For Life" shirts, gathered at the state capitol rotunda in Charleston on Thursday at a rally sponsored by West Virginians for Life. The crowd came together to encourage passage of House Bill 3159, a bill to dramatically limit taxpayer funding of abortions in West Virginia.

The mood was upbeat and expectations are high for this legislative session.

Frank Tettenburn brought the crowd to its feet as he sang a rousing rendition of God Bless America. Prayers were offered by Msgr. Edward Sadie, pastor of Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral, and Rev. Hal Boehm, pastor of Summit Church in Elkins.

Lisa Boehm, co-pastor of Summit Church, shared her inspiring testimony about adopting her daughter, Isabella. Kim Hager of International House of Prayer and Jessica Deal addressed the Teens for Life Rally.

Dr. Wanda Franz, president of National Right to Life and Sen. Mike Oliverio.

Dr. Wanda Franz, president of National Right to Life, reminded the crowd that West Virginia has paid for 16,000 abortions since 1993 and that their state is one of only 17 states whose Medicaid funding of abortions goes beyond the federally required instances of rape, incest or when the mother's life is in danger. Under House Bill 3159, the state would pay only for abortions in the latter three instances.

Dr. Franz explained that limiting funding reduces the number of abortions on average by 20%. "In West Virginia, we have paid for 16,000 abortions over the years," she said. "Twenty percent is 3,200."

This number is not a mere "statistic," she said. "It is human beings -- West Virginians -- who have died because of tax-funded abortions. These West Virginians would probably be with us today if we had been able to stop this horrible practice."

Dr. Franz also reminded the assembled crowd of the impact of the Hyde Amendment, the law that since 1976 has blocked almost all federal funding of abortion. "After the Hyde Amendment was passed, it immediately became evident that there was a reduction in the numbers of abortions. Research has demonstrated that de-funding of abortions saves lives."

Susan Cohen, director of government affairs at the Guttmacher Institute, laments, "Perhaps the most tragic result of the funding restrictions, however, is that a significant number of women who would have had an abortion had it been paid for by Medicaid instead end up continuing their pregnancy."

A group from Kanawha County joined hundreds of pro-lifers in Charleston to encourage passage of House Bill 3159.

Democratic and Republican legislators took time out of their busy schedules to address the enthusiastic crowd. Brian Louk, West Virginians for Life executive director, introduced the following legislators: State Senators Jeff Kessler, Mike Hall, Mike Oliverio, Evan Jenkins, and Clark Barnes, and Delegates Tim Ennis, Sally Susman, Orphy Klempa, Brady Paxton, Linda Sumner, Patti Schoen, Carol Miller, Kelli Sobonya, Dale Stephens, Josh Stowers, Daniel Hall, John Shott, John Frasier, Tim Armstead, Mike Ross, Mike Porter, Margaret Smith, Ruth Rowan, and Roy Givens.

The bill to limit taxpayer funding of abortions in West Virginia, House Bill 3159, is sponsored by Delegate Brent Boggs. It has been referred to the House Finance Committee. The public hearing on HB 3159 will be held, March 23, at 4:00 p.m.

Many in the crowd commented that it felt good to be able to make a difference.