Dick Cheney-- Steadfast and Reliably Pro-Life

By Larry Hell

What impact will George W. Bush's selection of Dick Cheney as his running mate have for the pro-life movement? From personal experience, Ican tell you that Dick Cheney will be for the pro- life movement what the mountains are for Wyoming: steadfast and reliable.

Throughout Dick Cheney's years of service for Wyoming, in the state and as Wyoming's lone representative in the U.S. House, he proved to us that he was a man we could trust, a man who never dodged questions, a man who cared deeply and followed his convictions.

Dick Cheney is truly pro-life. In recent interviews you have probably noticed that he is asked often about his "anti-abortion" voting record in the U.S. House. His response, without hesitation, is that he is pro-life and voted accordingly. His 100% voting record bears that out.

Dick Cheney has always been a man who does his job, whatever it is, and he does it well. Generally that work is done quietly, out of the limelight. It thus seemed appropriate that GOP presidential nominee Bush announced the selection of Cheney to be his running mate, not from the base of the Grand Tetons in Jackson Hole, but in the Casper, Wyoming, high school he and his wife, Lynne, attended. In this quiet, thoughtful, sincere style Dick Cheney has been a true friend of the pro-life movement.

As a congressman, Dick Cheney was always responsive to our pro- life questions and concerns. His responsiveness was not just lip service.

Dick Cheney was and is interested in the Movement. As a congressman he kept current on the abortion issue and continually educated himself. Some years ago I was told that when he was a congressman, Cheney would send one of his aides to the yearly NRL Conventions. The aide would then report to him the information gained at the various workshops and general sessions.
During congressional recesses Dick Cheney, like most congressmen, would return home to meet with constituents. For pro-lifers, those meetings with Cheney here in Wyoming were very relaxed and friendly.

He always expressed genuine delight in visiting with pro-life people. We were always encouraged by him to keep working toward our goal, and he would ask us to help keep him informed.

The pro-life people of this nation should be ecstatic about George Bush's choice of Dick Cheney as his running mate. Although you will not hear Mr. Cheney expounding in public about the evils of abortion (that is not his style), be assured that he is informed, he is working diligently, and his commitment is true and deep.

Mr. Hell is Wyoming's representative to the NRLC Board of Directors.