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NRL News
NRL Educational Trust Fund
Honors Courageous Schindler Family
WASHINGTON—On October 2, the National Right to Life Educational Trust Fund was privileged to pay tribute to the remarkable family of Terri Schindler Schiavo. Receiving the 14th annual Proudly Pro-Life Award were Robert and Mary, Terri Schindler Schiavo’s parents; Terri’s sister, Suzanne and her daughter, Alex; and Terri’s brother, Bobby. As Congressman Chris Smith explained in his remarks, “In this city where selfishness and ego are without parallel, the Schindlers give new meaning to words like compassion, love, loyalty, integrity, courage, selflessness, sacrifice, and the way they’ve sought to help other disabled persons through their Foundation, public service.” (See story, page one.) Responding to thunderous applause from an appreciate audience at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, the Schindlers were simultaneously thankful, gracious, and courageous. Bobby Schindler spoke on behalf of the Schindler family. He lauded all who had stood up for his sister, with a special thank you to National Right to Life. Bobby spoke of how a number of NRLC staffers escorted him around the halls of Congress, buttonholing powerful senators so that they could be educated about how atrociously Terri was being treated. Not surprisingly, lifelong friendships were made around here with a genuinely modest man. There were many highlights in an evening that brought smiles but also tears as the family reminisced about a travesty of justice that culminated in the death of a helpless woman 13 days after she was deprived of food and water. Kara Klein, a beautiful young woman with a magnificent voice, sang one of her songs dedicated to Terri: “Beautiful Still.” Life on the Rock, a program seen on EWTN, put together a remarkable video which combines Kara’s beautiful voice with photos and video of Terri, her family, and members of the army of supporters who peacefully protested her unjust death. You can watch the video by going to www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rFyfsIHaGM.
Former Congressman Tom DeLay, a
tower of strength during the battle to save Terri’s life, was unable
to attend. In his place stood Congressman
Chris Smith (R-NJ), a man whose capacity to inspire pro-lifers is
without parallel. Master of Ceremonies Mark Larson, a San Diego talk show host, was his usual steady, inspiring self. Mr. Larson emceed the Proudly Pro-Life Awards Dinner for the third year in a row. Our pro-life President George Bush sent Special Assistant Tim Goeglein to represent him. Mr. Goeglein, who doubles as the deputy director of the White House Office of Public Liaison, is an old friend of NRLC’s. When he spoke, it reminded the attendees—as if they needed it—what a gigantic difference it makes to have a staunch, committed pro-lifer at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The Schindlers are the latest in a long line of distinguished recipients to be honored by the NRL Educational Trust Fund. They include Rep. Henry Hyde; the Most Reverend Charles Chaput, the Archbishop of Denver; Richard and Helen DeVos; Pat Boone; Archbishop Renato Martino; Dr. James Dobson; Mrs. Arthur DeMoss; John Cardinal O’Connor; Gov. Robert Casey; Sen. Bob Smith; Rep. Christopher Smith; Rep. Charles Canady; Judge Robert Bork; Mr. Virgil Dechant of the Knights of Columbus; Sen. Jesse Helms; Mr. Wellington Mara of the New York Football Giants; Mr. Thomas S. Monaghan; Bishop James T. McHugh; Mr. Lawrence Garvey; and Fr. Frank Pavone. NRLC President Wanda Franz, Ph.D., may have put it best in her speech: “It was in response to this terrible event that the Schindler family demonstrated what deep reserves of spiritual and personal strength they actually had.”
“I am awed by their courage and
determination but especially by their love,” she added. “They are
the perfect, public image of the embattled family seeking only
justice for a loved one. They put a face on the culture of death
that is all around us.” |