NRL News
Page 18
February/March 2010
Volume 37
Issue 2-3

Hundreds of West Virginians Attend Annual
Pro-Life Rally and Day at the Legislature

By Mary Anne Buchanan

What event brings together a governor, a professional contemporary Christian music band, a cake big enough to feed hundreds made by a state delegate’s wife, and, good or bad, lots of media? Answer? The annual Pro-Life Rally and Day at the Legislature in Charleston, West Virginia, sponsored by West Virginians for Life (WVFL).

Members of the Fayette County Chapter of West Virginians for Life lobbied for the Utrasound Requirement Option bill (HB 4517, SB 597) during the Pro-Life Rally and Day at the Legislature at the state Capitol in Charleston, WV on February 18.

Despite the inclement weather, this event drew hundreds to the state capitol on February 18. Every year during the 60-day legislative session, the four-hour event is designed to be a show of support to West Virginia pro-life legislators and a way to help get pro-life laws passed—in particular, an Ultrasound Option Requirement.

For county chapter leaders from around the state, the gathering meant arriving an hour early to participate in a Roundtable discussion complete with breakfast, a networking opportunity to find out who everyone else is and what other chapters are doing as well as being uplifted by NRLC President Dr. Wanda Franz and West Virginians for Life President Karen Cross. In the past this part of the day has been hosted twice by pro-life Governor Joe Manchin III in the governor’s mansion.

From 10:00 until 11:30 a.m. the agenda included scheduled meetings with legislators, sitting in the galleries of either the House or Senate, and, if prearranged, introductions from the chamber floor by one’s pro-life legislator.

A half-hour Teen Rally emceed by West Virginia Teens for Life President Christina Deal began at 11:30 a.m. The Jason Lovins Band from Ashland, Kentucky, provided the music. Additionally, lead singer Jason Lovins was the speaker for the Teen Rally.

He is living proof that God has a plan for all of us. His mother was raped at the age of 15 but wouldn’t abort. Jason shares this story because he is that baby grown up.

NRLC President Dr. Wanda Franz and WVFL President Karen Cross spoke to the crowd, getting us excited about the upcoming elections statewide and nationally. Dr. Franz reminded the audience that pro-life Americans were able to defeat the Clinton abortion agenda and that we can defeat the Obama abortion agenda if we work hard, work together, and do everything with love.

What WVFL is seeking passage of this session is an Ultrasound Requirement Option which would be the perfect addition to an already previously passed Women’s Right to Know Law. Impressively, roughly 50 pro-life lawmakers came to the microphone to briefly address their constituents.

Since yellow pro-life t-shirts were given out to the first 500 who registered onsite, each legislator coming to the microphone witnessed a yellow sea of pro-lifers. What a show of solidarity!

Following legislator introductions, an offertory, music by the Jason Lovins Band, and an awesome rendition of “God Bless America” by Frank Tettenburn, a Prayer Walk took place as it does every year through the halls of the Capitol. Each carried a cross to represent an aborted child.

The day had ended by 2:00 p.m., leaving behind the hope and prayer that the Ultrasound Bill will make it through the lengthy legislative process so that more West Virginia mothers will choose life for their unborn children.