Congressman Mollohan, Pro-Life Democrat, Receives "Pursuit of Life" Award

Congressman Alan Mollohan, Democrat of West Virginia, has received the Thomas Jefferson Pursuit of Life Award.

The award was created to recognize the important contributions of pro-life Democrats in Congress to the pro-life cause. There are dozens of Democratic members of the House who have strong pro-life voting records, and they often provide the margin of victory on crucial pro-life roll call votes.

Congressman Mollohan has been a champion of pro-life efforts since he joined the House of Representatives in 1983. He served for several years as co-chairman of the House Pro-Life Caucus, and continues to be active in the caucus's activities. He is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

The Thomas Jefferson Pursuit of Life Award was created to extend recognition to these pro-life Democrats. It was sponsored by National Right to Life and nine other organizations: Catholic Alliance, Christian Coalition, Concerned Women for America, Family Research Council, Feminists for Life, Justice Fellowship, National Coalition of Pro-Life Democrats, Religious Freedom Coalition, and Traditional Values Coalition.

Mr. Mollohan received the award at a Pursuit of Life Reception on Capitol Hill on October 19, which was also attended by many of his pro-life Democratic colleagues and their staff members, and by representatives of the sponsoring groups. Each lawmaker received a plaque as a thank you for his pro-life work.

NRLC President Wanda Franz, Ph.D. spoke to the group about Congressman Mollohan's history as a pro-life leader. Dr. Franz, who also holds the West Virginia seat on NRLC's Board of Directors, lives in the congressman's district. Dr. Franz and NRLC have strongly supported Mr. Mollohan in re-election contests over the years.

Franz described Mr. Mollohan's comments to her when he was running for Congress for the first time in 1982: "On a street corner in Washington, D.C., someone handed me a picture of aborted babies. I was so appalled to realize that this was happening in America. I vowed then that abortion would be one of my priorities should I enter public service."

Joining Dr. Franz in representing NRLC at the event were Associate Executive Director Darla St. Martin and Federal Legislative Director Douglas Johnson.

Sally Winn, chairman of the National Pro-Life Democrats Committee, joined in thanking the pro-life lawmakers for their contributions to the defense of innocent human life.