Now the Real Work Begins!

By Dr. Wanda Franz

President Bush's first few weeks in office brought a wonderful breath of fresh air to Washington. From his executive order stopping funding of abortion advocacy overseas to his many outstanding pro-life appointments, change is definitely in the air.

But no one should think this alone guarantees victory in the many struggles that lie ahead. If any of us needed to be reminded of that, let me tell you what happened to Planned Parenthood and NARAL in 1993. Their candidate had just won the presidency, and Bill Clinton lived up to his campaign promise (one of the few times he did that!) by signing pro-abortion executive orders in his first week in office.

Pro-abortion supporters were securely in place in the White House, the Supreme Court, and in the leadership of the House and Senate. Pro-abortion activists and supporters seemingly felt so secure about the so-called "right" to abortion, that they relaxed.

Donations to Planned Parenthood and NARAL fell so much that each group had to lay off staff members. Pro-life citizen lobbyists overwhelmed Congress with letters and phone calls in numbers the pro-abortion movement could only dream of. The Freedom of Choice Act and the Clinton Health Care Rationing Plan were both defeated before they even came up for a vote. In 1994, pro-life congressional candidates won in a landslide.

The lesson, which I hope every pro-lifer understands, is that ours is a movement which has short-term and long-term goals. Resting even for a moment to enjoy our victories is a sure way to jeopardize future victories for life.

I am reminded of an article that appeared in a national news magazine about a year before the 1992 election. The article outlined the strategy of pro-life and pro-abortion forces as the Supreme Court was considering whether to allow further legal protection for unborn children.

Pro-abortion groups were "alarmed" and used the "threat" of a pro- life decision to galvanize their supporters. I remember a quote from an abortion supporter who said she had been giving financially to a couple of her favorite charities, but with the new right to life "threat," she thought she would have to give to pro-abortion groups "for the next year."

I found that quote very instructive of the difference between pro-lifers and abortion supporters. I hope no pro-lifer ever thinks his or her financial support or volunteer efforts are only needed "for the next year." A pro-life president is only one step in the massive amount of work needed to build a culture of life.

New protective laws have to be passed; new educational programs begun. Already, NARAL has responded by flooding the airwaves with pro-abortion TV ads, and everyone expects their onslaught to grow as new pro-life policies are implemented. Clearly, your support is needed now more than ever.

This month, we will be calling our members to ask for their membership renewal and financial support. The number that have renewed so far in response to our January membership letter is a disappointing one-third of the number we expect and need to reach if we are to move forward on the life issues.

I know that many of you will still respond to our membership letter and calls. But I want to make a special appeal that you prayerfully consider making an extra generous gift now that we have new opportunities for saving lives. That is when your support is needed the most!

I also encourage you to make sure the call you respond to is from National Right to Life or your state affiliate of National Right to Life. NRLC and our state affiliates are committed to using donations carefully, wisely, and frugally. We have a proven track record that is unmatched anywhere of developing and implementing pro-life programs and strategies that work. When you give to your state or National Right to Life organization, you can be assured that your donation is going to needed pro- life projects that help save lives.

As always, I thank you for your loyal support and I thank God for giving us tremendous new opportunities to save lives. Together, I know our victory will be won!