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May 2001
One
Victim, or Two?
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Pro-Abortion
Groups Vehemently Oppose Bill
U.S. House Votes to Recognize Unborn
Victims of Violence
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| In the Rayburn Room adjacent to the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives, NRLC Legislative Director Douglas Johnson (left) talks to a reporter by phone, as (left to right) Congressmen Chris Smith (R-NJ), Robin Hayes (R-NC), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) converse with Tracy Marciniak, whose unborn son Zachariah was killed in a criminal assault. Photo credit: Paul Hosefros/NYT Pictures |
WASHINGTON
(May 3) - - A bill to recognize unborn children as human victims when
they are injured or killed during the commission of federal crimes was
approved April 26 by the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill was
backed by NRLC and by President George W. Bush.
The House passed the Unborn Victims of Violence Act (H.R. 503) by a vote
of 252-172. But that victory came only after a much closer vote on
whether to erase the bill and replace it with a radically different
measure proposed by pro-abortion lawmakers, the Lofgren Substitute
Amendment, which is referred to by pro- life forces as the
"one-victim amendment."
The Unborn Victims of Violence Act is sponsored by Congressman Lindsey
Graham (R-SC) and Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Oh.).
Action Request on Unborn Victims of Violence Act
Proudly Pro-Life Awards Dinner Honors Fr. Pavone and Lawrence Garvey
By Dave Andrusko
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| NRLC President Wanda Franz, Ph.D., welcomes this year's honorees: Lawrence Garvey, founding partner of Radiofone, Inc., and Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life. See photos, pages 17 & 20. Photo by Bill Molitor |
The timing could not have been more exquisite. Mere hours after the House of Representatives began debate on the Unborn Victims of Violence Act (UVVA), pro-lifers honored two great champions at the Eighth Annual Proudly Pro-Life Awards Dinner: Fr. Frank Pavone and Lawrence Garvey.
The UVVA is not a pro-life bill per se. But in nudging Congress in a direction of recognizing that "wanted" unborn children killed in the commission of federal crimes truly are victims, the bill helps Americans see the unborn in a new light.
From the President
Wanda Franz, Ph.D. |
HOW TO STAY EFFECTIVE AND INFORMED AND HAVE A GRAND TIME
COME TO THE NRL CONVENTION
JUNE 28-30 IN CHARLOTTE, NC
Pro-lifers helped elect a pro-life president, so it's time to relax. Right? Of course not. We all wish it were that easy. In January, when George W. Bush took the oath of office, we could celebrate a little and pat each other on the back for a job well done. Now it's back to serious work. The pro-abortionists certainly think so. They are very angry over the election. They are busier than ever raising money and organizing. They intend to frustrate any pro-life initiative in Congress. And they are ready to "bork" any candidates for the federal judiciary. The hysterical tumult over Senator John Ashcroft's confirmation as attorney general was a foretaste of things to come. We must be prepared.
Fortunately, while pro-life work is hard work, it is also very satisfying work. To know that what we do is of overarching importance, that it goes way beyond narrow personal concerns, and that each of us has a contribution to make is both gratifying and energizing. But, of course, we do get tired and discouraged. And we worry sometimes whether we are pursuing the right course, whether we are using our resources wisely. Pro- life work is a most noble activity, but there is no point in running ourselves ragged doing things that don't work. So it's time to take stock and get renewed.
November 2000
