A New Millennium...
And A New Generation for Life!
By Derrick Jones,Youth Outreach Co-coordinator

Actor Chris Burke's philosophy for overcoming obstacles to success, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Cal Eldred's and his wife Christi's personal and motivational

experiences, and former Miss Black America runner-up Lakita Garth's message of never giving up were just a few of the inspirational messages heard by teens and college students who attended the Second Annual Youth Outreach (YO!) Convention held in conjunction with NRLC '99 June 24-26. The YO! Convention kicked off with the "Opening Sha-Bang" and included welcomes from Joe Biffar, National Teens for Life president, and Holly Miller, president of National College Students for Life. Both Biffar and Miller encouraged attendees to be positive influences on their friends by spreading the truth about the effects of abortion and the alternatives available to girls facing crisis pregnancies.

Cal and Christi Eldred, who first appeared at the 1993 National Teens for Life Convention in Milwaukee, made a return appearance. The Eldreds reminded attendees that they are on the front lines of the abortion battle; they are the ones who could be faced with friends in crisis pregnancy situations; they are the ones who could save the lives of countless children by continuing to promote abortion alternatives.

The "Opening Sha-Bang" capped off with a special concert - - a preview of the Thursday evening adult general session - - given by television star Chris Burke (Corky from Life Goes On) with Joe and John DeMasi.

The theme for this year's convention was "A New Millennium...A New Generation for Life." Workshops throughout the YO! Convention were geared toward concerns that teens and college students face in their schools, communities, and on campus. They were faced with the task of how to carry the youth pro-life movement into the next millennium.

Whether the topic was starting a local Teens for Life and campus pro-life group, to citizen lobbying and dealing with the media, attendees began building a foundation for spreading the message of life effectively to their peers and others in the community.

In her annual address to the YO! Convention, NRLC President Dr. Wanda Franz reminded participants, "Not only are you the future of the movement, you are active participants in the movement today."

"You are far better at reaching out to and educating your peers," Dr. Franz said. "We need you on the grassroots level, working in your schools and spreading the pro-life message."

YO! participants closed the convention with the traditional pizza banquet and dance. But before doing the "Macarena" and " Electric Slide," Lakita Garth, who is also a recording artist, encouraged the teens not to succumb to peer pressure, to never give up, to never get discouraged, and, most importantly, to keep up the fight for life.

With three days packed with workshops and general sessions geared specifically toward these members of the abortion generation, the over 100 teens and college students from more than 13 states left the convention ready to go back into their schools and communities and make the generation of the new millennium truly a generation that stands firm in support of life!

For more information on NRLC's Youth Outreach program, call (202) 626-8800, ext. 209.