Georgia Life Alliance

It's All Connected

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 21:39:56 GMT

It's All Connected

P.S. We have permission to share a 2-minute version of the 45-minute documentary. WARNING: It will deeply impact your soul and is not for innocent eyes. Praying for the protection of your heart, mind, and soul as you watch the 2-minute version of the full IDF documentary. Feel free to share with others as appropriate.

Today She Chose Life. However...

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 20:40:20 GMT

Today She Chose Life. However…

Medication Abortion and The Expansion of Abortion in The U.S.

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 15:42:44 GMT

By Guest Author: Dr. Kathleen M. Raviele, MD FACOG

Speak Life 23 Now Open!

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 14:54:54 GMT

SPEAK LIFE 23 - NOW ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS

GLA’S SPEAK LIFE ORATORY CONTEST

Registration is NOW open for Speak Life 2023 , the official National Right to Life Affiliated Pro-Life Oratory Contest in Georgia!

This year’s contest is proudly hosted by the Author and Champion of the Heartbeat Bill, Senator Ed Setzler.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 31st. 10am-12pm

WHERE: Georgia State Capitol Senate Chamber

1st place winner will receive the coveted $1,000 Gracie Eden Scholarship , in addition to $700 from the Faith Thompson Initiative , and will go on to compete against state-level winners from across the country in the Jane B. Thompson Oratory Contest at the National Right to Life Convention on June 24th in Pittsburgh! Travel expenses up to $500 will be funded by the Maxwell Thompson Initiative.

2nd place/Runner Up will receive $200 from the Faith Thompson Initiative and will be featured on GLA’s social media and website.

3rd place winner will receive $100 from the Faith Thompson Initiative .

Funding for the Gracie Eden Scholarship, Maxwell Thompson Initiative, and Faith Thompson Initiative has been generously provided by Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson since 2021.

FULL CONTEST RULES, INFORMATION, AND AWARD DETAILS

Raising Up the Next Generation of Pro-Life Leaders

Contest is open to current public, private, charter, hybrid, or home-school high school juniors and seniors. Contestants will not only help spread the pro-life message and save lives; but also build their own public speaking skills and confidence!

Don't Delay! Deadline for registrations is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 29th, 2023.

Contestants must register no later than MAY 29th . Registrations will only be accepted via the entry form here . Walk-in or day-of registrations will, unfortunately, not be permitted.

Want to sponsor Speak Life 2023?

Click here to make your tax deductible gift to help raise up the next generation of pro-life leaders.

BREAKING: Conflicting Rulings on Chemical Abortion Ensure Supreme Court Involvement

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 16:49:30 GMT

TWO FEDERAL JUDGES ISSUE CONCURRING & CONFLICTING RULINGS ON ACCESS TO CHEMICAL ABORTION

CONFLICTING ABORTION PILL RULINGS

The nation has been eagerly watching a pending court case in Texas in which The Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, et al. challenged the FDA’s approval of the chemical abortion pill; a move which, if successful, would mean a nationwide ban of the chemical abortion pill regimen.

In a separate and less publicized court case from Washington state, a federal judge was also weighing merits in a case brought by 12 states regarding access to chemical abortion.

Both federal judges issued their rulings this evening. The Texas judge ruled that the FDA cannot allow chemical abortion to be prescribed via telemedicine or without an in-person doctor’s visit, while the Washington judge ruled that the FDA must continue providing the abortion pill in accordance with the Biden-era rule changes .

What Does This Mean?

While the ruling in the Washington case technically only applies to 12 states, it still stands in direct conflict with the Texas ruling. With two rulings that directly contradict with each other, it is certain that this issue will be resolved by the United States Supreme Court. Keeping in mind this is the same Supreme Court which, just last summer, overturned Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton in a historic single blow .

The Texas ruling goes into effect in 7 days, giving the Biden Administration time to file for an emergency hearing seeking an injunction (a temporary ‘hold’ on the decision while the case proceeds) with SCOTUS. It is likely that SCOTUS will lean heavily on the arguments and findings from the Texas case ahead of any decision to provide a temporary injunction while appeals are made in both cases.

What Exactly WAS The Texas Challenge?

The plaintiffs, represented by The Alliance Defending Freedom, argue that the FDA unlawfully fast-tracked the approval and never studied the safety of the drugs under the labeled condition for use. The FDA characterized pregnancy as an “illness” and never studied the safety of the drugs for use in abortions. The FDA’s approval of mifepristone and misoprostol’s use for abortions should be reversed, according to the complaint.

“To date, the FDA’s review, approval, and deregulation of chemical abortion drugs has spanned three decades, correlated with four U.S. presidential elections, and encompassed six discrete agency actions. Plaintiffs challenge these six FDA actions and ask that the Court hold them unlawful, set them aside, and vacate them.” Case no. 2:22-cv-00223-Z, Complaint, p. 2

What Exactly WAS The Washington State Challenge?

State of Washington v FDA challenged that the FDA’s approval was too restrictive under the FDA REMS program claiming that it “hampered access” by singling out one of the chemical abortion pills, mifepristone. The judge held that a nationwide injunction blocking mifepristone’s distribution would be “inappropriate.”

What Exactly WAS The Washington State Challenge?

How Can You Help?

First, pray for the pro-life attorneys at Alliance Defending Freedom who will argue this case in front of SCOTUS and for the Supreme Court Justices who will hear the arguments. If you or your church want to step up to spread awareness, educate your congregations, or support pro-life groups like GLA, local pregnancy help organizations, and foster and adoption agencies as we forge ahead in this post-Roe Georgia; click here.

There may also be opportunities to sign onto amicus briefs with GLA and others in support of the Texas ruling. Georgia’s Attorney General, Chris Carr, joined with 21 other state Attorneys General in filing an amicus brief supporting the Plaintiffs in the Texas case, so also listen out for updates from GLA how you can support our pro-life Attorneys General.

Our team will continue actively tracking this case and will be sending out updates via email and on our social media accounts . Follow us and sign up to receive urgent updates!

THIS FIGHT IS FAR FROM OVER. OUR ENEMY HAS ENDLESS LIES AND FINANCIAL BACKING TO CONTINUE ATTACKING THE SANCTITY OF LIFE AT EVERY STAGE. PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING US FIGHT BACK BY PRAYING, FINANCIALLY SUPPORTING , VOLUNTEERING , AND SHARING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES.

HEARTBEAT BILL BEFORE GA SUPREME COURT TOMORROW!

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 13:52:09 GMT

HEARTBEAT BILL BEFORE GA SUPREME COURT TOMORROW!

Even though the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Georgia’s Heartbeat Bill , the abortion industry isn’t going down without a fight.

The most recent challenge against the L.I.F.E. Act (aka the ‘Heartbeat bill’) was filed in Fulton County Superior Court with Judge Robert McBurney last summer. Their intent is for the State court system to invent a right to abortion under the Georgia Constitution since the Federal courts have affirmed there is NO right to abortion under the U.S. Constitution by overturning Roe v. Wade - so that the billion-dollar abortion industry can continue exploiting and profiting from women facing crisis. The case was heard in the Fulton Superior Court and then appealed to the Supreme Court of Georgia, where it will be decided - once and for all - TOMORROW, March 28th.

The Court has scheduled the hearing for Tuesday from 10am through 2pm. You can attend in person with GLA or watch the hearing LIVE with this link: https://www.gasupreme.us/watch/

WATCH LIVE

We can’t take this attack lightly. Just in 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court created a right to abortion under their State Constitution . That decision led to every pro-life law in their state being blocked until the state changes its Constitution. That is what the profit-hungry abortion industry wants for Georgia.

It is imperative that pro-life Georgians stay engaged on this issue and be diligently in prayer as the next front in the war on life continues to wage. Please join us in praying ahead of the hearing.

�� Pray for the Justices to hear the arguments with discernment

�� Pray for the pro-life attorneys to articulate our law with clarity and wisdom

�� Pray for the pro-abortion attorneys with compassion that God will change their hearts and minds

Georgians are already seeing the positive effects of the Heartbeat Bill. From babies being saved as abortion clinics shut down to pregnant women being eligible for child support and tax exemptions - the Heartbeat Bill is good for Georgia!

Thank you for continuing to pray with us, support us as we continue to fight against the billion-dollar abortion industry, and stand with us on the frontline of this fight for life!

Together for life,

Georgia Life Alliance

DONATE TODAY

P.S. Fight the misinformation from the mainstream media. Get the facts on the L.I.F.E. Act

What the Heartbeat Bill does:

Babies are recognized as people under law (line 63)
The population count will now include preborn babies (lines 67-68)
Women can now obtain child support for babies in the womb (lines 180-188)
Parents can now receive state tax exemptions for preborn babies (lines 294-297)
Babies with beating hearts are protected from abortion in most circumstances (lines 109-113)
Post-abortive women are protected from prosecution under law (lines 158-173)
Miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy care are exempted from abortion law (lines 93-94)

WHAT DOES THE HEARTBEAT BILL DO?

Q&A With GLA: What the FDA's Latest Chemical Abortion Decision Means

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 20:36:03 GMT

READ OUR NEW Q&A ABOUT ABORTION PILLS IN NEIGHBORHOOD PHARMACIES

Court Cases. Rule Changes. Executive Orders. It can be very difficult to follow all of efforts at the Federal level to propagate the abortion pill nationwide, including here in Georgia.

Georgia Life Alliance wants to make it as easy as possible for you to stay informed. That’s why, along with the National Right to Life, we are providing you this resource with everything you need to know about the Biden Administration seeking to put abortion pulls in every neighborhood in America!

THE FDA’S LATEST DECISION TO ALLOW PHARMACIES TO STOCK AND SELL THE ABORTION PILL

On January 3, 2023, the FDA announced new rules allowing certain pharmacies to stock and distribute abortion pills to women with prescriptions. This change is a clear symbol that the Biden Administration has turned the FDA into the political arm of the abortion industry. What’s worse, it will put tens of thousands of women at increased risk by removing important safety regulations.

This comprehensive Q&A addresses what this means and how it affects people in states where there are currently pro-life laws in place.

The Case That Could STOP Chemical Abortion In America

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 17:42:15 GMT

NATIONWIDE BAN OF CHEMICAL ABORTION PILLS

The Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, et al are challenging the FDA’s approval of the chemical abortion pill regimen; a move which, if successful, could mean a nationwide ban of chemical abortion.

What Does This Mean?

If this case is successful; it means that chemical abortions all over America will stop, even in states where abortion is legal . Considering that chemical abortions account for more than half of all abortions nationwide , this case stands to immediately save tens of thousands of lives!

What Exactly IS The Challenge?

The plaintiffs, represented by The Alliance Defending Freedom, argue that the FDA unlawfully fast-tracked the approval and never studied the safety of the drugs under the labeled condition for use. The FDA characterized pregnancy as an “illness” and never studied the safety of the drugs for use in abortions . The FDA’s approval of mifepristone and misoprostol’s use for abortions should be reversed, according to the complaint.

“To date, the FDA’s review, approval, and deregulation of chemical abortion drugs has spanned three decades, correlated with four U.S. presidential elections, and encompassed six discrete agency actions. Plaintiffs challenge these six FDA actions and ask that the Court hold them unlawful, set them aside, and vacate them.” Case no. 2:22-cv-00223-Z, Complaint, p. 2

Georgia’s Attorney General Chris Carr joined with 21 other state Attorneys General in filing an amicus brief supporting the Plaintiffs.

What Happens Next?

If Judge Kacsmaryk rules in our favor and reverses the FDA’s approval of the chemical abortion pill regimen; the case may be appealed to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, and ultimately to the Supreme Court of the United States.

In the meantime, the chemical abortion pill regimen would be pulled from the market and the FDA would have to decide to restart the approval process - which could take years. This one ruling would amount to a NATIONWIDE BAN ON CHEMICAL ABORTION .

WHILE WE ARE CONFIDENT IN GOD’S CONTINUED FAVOR, THIS FIGHT IS FAR FROM OVER. OUR ENEMY HAS ENDLESS LIES AND FINANCIAL BACKING TO CONTINUE ATTACKING THE SANCTITY OF LIFE AT EVERY STAGE. CONSIDER HELPING US FIGHT BACK BY PRAYING, FINANCIALLY SUPPORTING , VOLUNTEERING , AND SHARING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES.

If you or your church want to step up to spread awareness, educate your congregations, or support pro-life groups like GLA, local pregnancy help organizations, and foster and adoption agencies as we forge ahead in this post-Roe Georgia; click here .

GLA Issues Statement on Betsy Kramer's Certification Status

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 20:12:40 GMT

Media contact: Georgia Life Alliance Committee (678) 597-8055, info@georgialifealliance.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dear Voters of House District 50,

You may have received a mail piece today which is intended to misrepresent candidate Betsy Kramer’s status as being Certified Pro-Life by Georgia Life Alliance. Please allow us to be clear: Betsy Kramer is not currently Certified Pro-Life by Georgia Life Alliance Committee.

Ms. Kramer submitted her Candidate Questionnaire to GLA Committee on June 6 ^th , at which time we informed her that we would need to conduct an interview with her due to public statements she made in the media about being pro-choice.

That interview was conducted on June 8 ^th , upon the conclusion of which we communicated clearly that a final decision regarding her certification would not be made until the week of June 13 ^th .

The mail piece in question, which began arriving in mailboxes on June 10 ^th , is intended to indicate that her application status with GLA is approved when that is simply not true. Additionally, this mailer being received on June 10 ^th would have to mean that her campaign designed and sent the mail piece before the interview ever took place.

This kind of campaign tactic is dishonest.

Georgia Life Alliance Committee’s Pro-Life Certification is the most trusted pro-life certification in politics, and the integrity of this process must be protected even when candidates feel desperate about their standing in the pro-life community.

For a complete listing of candidates who are Certified Pro-Life for the June 21 Runoff Elections, please visit georgialifealliance.com/2022-gla-committee-pro-life-certification-questionnaire-responses .

Together for Life,

Georgia Life Alliance Committee

Georgia Life Alliance is the largest, most influential pro-life organization in the state of Georgia and the only affiliate to National Right to Life.

###

UPDATE: Ms. Kramer was informed on June 13th that she would not be Certified Pro-Life as a result of her interview on June 8th. You can read the official notice here .

AG Carr: I’m Fighting to Protect the Most Vulnerable Among Us

Sun, 15 May 2022 22:37:37 GMT

AG Carr: I’m Fighting to Protect the Most Vulnerable Among Us

It’s my constitutional and statutory duty as Georgia’s chief legal officer to defend the laws of the state in court. As a lifelong conservative, I also stand firm in my commitment to preserving the rights of the unborn.

From prosecuting human traffickers to defending the pro-life laws passed by our General Assembly, I’m working every single day to protect the most vulnerable among us.

My team and I are ready to return to the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to put our Heartbeat Law into effect as soon as the U.S. Supreme Court issues its official decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case involving pre-viability protections that will impact pro-life laws nationwide.

As the Left threatens civil unrest and terrorizes the families of Justices over the details of an initial draft opinion leaked to the media, their threats will not stop me from standing up for life and the rule of law. No matter what the Court rules, I will vigorously defend Georgia’s Heartbeat Law.

Every human life has dignity, value and worth, and Georgia’s pro-life law is representative of our state’s profound interest in protecting the unborn and maternal health.

As we await this final decision, I will continue fighting to preserve and protect the rights of all Georgians, and we look forward to the day when our Heartbeat Law can take effect.

Chris Carr
Georgia Attorney General

Betsy's Law Signed by Governor Kemp!

Wed, 04 May 2022 22:25:19 GMT

With Roe v. Wade’s apparent demise imminent and Georgia’s Heartbeat Bill weeks from going into effect, it has never been more important to pass policy that builds up a state prepared for a post-Roe culture.

We are so proud to announce that Governor Kemp has signed GLA’s flagship legislation, Betsy’s Law , which allows nonprofits to provide free maternity supportive housing to homeless pregnant women and their minor children.

Betsy’s Law, named after the child our Leadership Director, Elizabeth Reed , courageously placed for adoption when she was homeless and pregnant at age 15, will save lives immediately and provide the hope that thousands of women will need with abortion access gone in Georgia.

Thank you so much to Elizabeth for sharing her story and writing this bill , to Senator Randy Robertson and Representative Sharon Cooper for leading the fight to shepherd this bill across the finish line, and to Governor Brian Kemp for making good on his promise that the Heartbeat Bill was only the beginning.

Together for Life,

Martha Zoller
Executive Director

SCOTUS Votes To Overrule Roe!

Tue, 03 May 2022 22:34:07 GMT

SCOTUS Votes To Overrule Roe!

An Earth shattering leak from the Supreme Court obtained by Politico has revealed that the Supreme Court has voted in Conference to uphold the Mississippi abortion law and effectually overrule Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

While we won’t know the final decision and ruling until next month, sources say the vote this week from Justices would strike the landmark Roe decision that opened the door for abortion on demand in our nation.

“Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,” Writes Justice Alito in the leaked decision. “Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences.”

This decision, if accurate, would mean that Georgia’s Heartbeat Bill will be upheld immediately by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, which issued a stay order pending the outcome of the Dobbs case.

It’s time for prayer and preparation .

We have been predicting this exact outcome would happen ever since we joined Governor Kemp in passing the Heartbeat Bill that was written by our team and Rep. Ed Setzler back in 2016, which establishes Personhood for babies in the womb and envisions Georgia law without the stranglehold of Roe.

Now, more than ever, we need to rally together to prepare for a post-Roe culture in Georgia.

We’ve started doing just that by passing legislation like Betsy’s Law, Gracie’s Law, Simon’s Law, and expanding pregnancy medicaid. But we need your help to keep the momentum going as we await these historic decisions. Here’s how.

Donate to GLA. Chip in $5, $25, $50, or $100 to help us defend the Heartbeat Bill and build a post-Roe Georgia. We are the only group in Georgia who has led the fight statewide to pass and protect the Heartbeat Bill and support candidates who will protect it, and our success is only possible with your help.
Support your local pregnancy center and adoption/foster agencies. They will need your finances, your volunteer hours, and your prayers to answer the demand for services that will come once the Heartbeat Bill does into effect.
Call your pastor and ask them to speak about the sanctity of life, host a prayer rally, and support pro-life groups like GLA and local pregnancy centers.

Like with Queen Esther, God has entrusted this critical moment in history to US, because He knew we were up to the task of ending the holocaust of abortion. Continue praying that we will see this task through.

Thank you. Sincerely. From the bottom of my heart. For all of your support. Thanks to you, we will see the end of Roe in our lifetime.

Together for life,

Joshua Edmonds
Senior Policy Advisor

AG Carr: We’re putting human traffickers behind bars and rescuing Georgia’s children

Mon, 02 May 2022 16:56:02 GMT

AG Carr: We’re putting human traffickers behind bars and rescuing Georgia’s children

Sadly, there are those in our society who seek to buy and sell children for sex. When they do, they destroy a child’s life, their youth and their innocence.

Human trafficking is considered the fastest-growing illegal industry in the world, and the average victim is a 6th to 8th grade girl.

In Georgia, we have chosen to say no more – not on our watch.

Since taking office in November 2016, I have worked every single day to protect Georgia’s children by putting traffickers behind bars.

I’m grateful that in 2019, with the help of Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp and leaders in the Georgia General Assembly, we took historic action to create the state’s first-ever Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

With the addition of this Unit, we are working more closely, effectively, and aggressively with our chiefs of police, sheriffs, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, district attorneys, and U.S. Attorneys to build these cases and to ensure that justice is served.

Our work is moving the needle significantly. In 2021, we initiated 25 cases, arrested 9 individuals, investigated and prosecuted 51 defendants, and rescued and assisted 107 victims – that is 107 lives forever changed.

Those who are caught engaging in this heinous crime will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Last fall, we obtained 20 and 30-year prison sentences for two individuals convicted of trafficking a 16-year-old victim in Cobb County.

In January 2022 alone, we indicted nine men for soliciting sex from an underage female.

But our work does not end once a trafficker is put behind bars. As someone who has witnessed firsthand the physical, emotional and mental challenges victims face once rescued, I’m fighting every day to create a safe harbor for those who have been sexually exploited.

In partnership with First Lady Marty Kemp’s GRACE Commission, we are working to ensure victims have the resources they need to recover and rebuild their lives.

As the state’s chief legal officer, I’m also continuing to defend Georgia’s Safe Harbor Fund, which serves as a critical tool in helping our state to connect victims with safe housing and other important rehabilitation services.

Each of these outcomes is made possible by our strong partnerships on the local, state and federal levels. This is something we plan to carry over as we prepare to launch a first-of-its-kind Gang Prosecution Unit on July 1, 2022.

We know that 80 percent of human trafficking cases are gang-related, and having this new Unit will provide us with an additional resource that will ultimately lead to better outcomes and a safer Georgia.

By leveraging our unique assets, there are many ways we can collaborate to shine a light on human trafficking and fight back.

The more people we have working together, the more lives we can save.

I’m confident that our unified stance on this issue sends a strong signal to buyers and sellers that Georgia will not tolerate those who abuse and exploit Georgia’s children.

Every single Georgian deserves to feel safe, and we have a duty to protect the most vulnerable in our state.

We will leave no stone unturned, and we will not let the people of Georgia down.

GLA Announces Exciting Leadership Changes for 2022

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 22:00:03 GMT

Media contact: Martha Zoller, (678) 597-8055, martha@georgialifealliance.com

GLA Announces Exciting Leadership Changes for 2022

ATLANTA – Georgia Life Alliance, the state’s leading pro-life organization and affiliate of National Right to Life, will be making changes to its senior leadership team.

The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that veteran political activist, conservative radio host, and founding Board Member Martha Zoller will be taking the helm as interim Executive Director. Effective immediately, Zoller will lead GLA into a new chapter as we prepare for historic legislative and election victories.

Current Executive Director Joshua Edmonds is moving to the Stoneridge Group as a Senior Strategist helping to elect pro-life candidates in Georgia and around the nation. He will continue to serve as a volunteer Senior Policy Advisor and strategist for GLA’s legislative efforts.

“From passing the Heartbeat Bill to protecting the pro-life majority in the 2020 elections, we have made pro-life great again in Georgia,” said Joshua Edmonds, outgoing Executive Director. “It has been the greatest honor of my professional career to serve as Executive Director – but now it’s time for me to focus on making sure we have the right folks in office to preserve the pro-life victories we won over the last 3 years. In looking to GLA’s past and future, Martha’s commitment to this organization is a constant. I’m grateful for her continued service to building a culture of life and she has my unwavering support as she takes the wheel.”

“The shoes Joshua leaves behind are big ones to fill, but Martha is a one-of-a-kind leader who is going to bring GLA to the next level. I’m so excited to welcome her back into the GLA family,” said GLA Board Chairwoman Emily Matson.

No stranger to Georgia politics, Martha Zoller has been a powerhouse in conservative radio for nearly 3 decades and has served as a senior staffer for both Governor Brian Kemp as well as Senator David Perdue. In 2014, she helped launch GLA as a key member of our Founding Board.

“At this unique time in our history and in the fight for the rights of the unborn as well as affirming the value of life at all stages, this mission was too important for me to sit on the sidelines,” said incoming interim Executive Director Martha Zoller. Martha can be contacted directly at martha@georgialifealliance.com .

Georgia Life Alliance is the largest pro-life group in the state and the only state affiliate to National Right to Life.

###

GLA’s Flagship Legislation, The Women’s Health & Safety Act, Introduced In Georgia Senate

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 15:21:15 GMT

For more information: Joshua Edmonds, (678) 597-8055, info@georgialifealliance.com

GLA’s Flagship Legislation, The Women’s Health & Safety Act, Introduced In Georgia Senate

ATLANTA – Georgia Life Alliance’s 2022 priority legislation, the Women’s Health & Safety Act (SB 351), was introduced in the Georgia Senate Monday by a coalition of more than 20 Senators, led by Chairman Bruce Thompson, President Pro Tempore Butch Miller, Rules Chairman Jeff Mullis, Caucus Vice Chairman Larry Walker, and Majority Whip Steve Gooch.

The Biden Administration’s FDA has ended an Obama-era safety rule that would now allow abortion pills to be provided via telemedicine or sent directly through the mail without a doctor ever examining the woman in person. GLA has been working with Senators Thompson and Miller since December of 2020 on legislation to ensure Georgia women are not put at increased risk of injury or death due to this new reckless practice.

“Georgia has a maternal mortality crisis, and women dying from complications such as obstetric hemorrhaging – the chief side effect of the abortion pill,” said Joshua Edmonds, GLA’s Executive Director. “This rule change from the FDA will only worsen the crisis and undermine the efforts of the Georgia Maternal Mortality Review Committee and the DPH over the last several years to protect our communities.”

A recent, first-of-its-kind study found that the abortion pill is a major public health threat. The study analyzed 423,000 confirmed abortions and found that the rate of abortion-related emergency room visits following the abortion pill increased by more than 500% from 2002 through 2015 (Studnicki, et al., Health Services Research and Managerial Epidemiology, January 2021) .

The Women’s Health & Safety Act will require a pregnant woman to receive an in-person exam from a licensed physician prior to an abortion to ensure that she is not at increased risk of complications as well as prohibit abortion pills from being provided via telemedicine or sent through the mail. Similar legislation has been passed in OK, TX, IN, AZ, MT, and SD.

Georgia Life Alliance is the largest pro-life group in the state and the only state affiliate to National Right to Life.

###

10 Things You Should Know Before Your Abortion

Sat, 22 Jan 2022 00:08:29 GMT

For more information: Elizabeth Reed, (678) 597-8055, Elizabeth@georgialifealliance.com

Originally written March 17th, 2015

10 Things You Should Know Before Your Abortion - Open Letter to My Best Friend

We’ve been friends for years. Through breakups, through laughter, through tears, through margarita Tuesdays and hangover Wednesdays. We’ve laughed so hard at inside jokes that we’ve both been laying on the kitchen floor and getting weird looks from the rest of our friends.

About a week ago, I took you to lunch. I brought two pregnancy tests with me because you were ‘late’. Despite the severity of the situation, we were standing in the bathroom (of a Chic Fil A, no less. The irony of this does not escape me) laughing to each other, joking about something from work, waiting for the results to appear. I reached for the tests, and flipped them over to read the results, saw the glaring plus sign. I looked up to meet your eyes, and saw your fear. The words “you’re pregnant” fall out of my mouth, and I see their impact as they hit you right in the gut. I almost wanted to throw my body in front of the words, as if they were a bullet, and absorb their impact for you.

That was about a week ago. For the past week, I am the only one who has known your secret. I’m the only one you’ve talked to about it. I’ve held you while you wept. I’ve gone with you to a Doctor to confirm that you are, in fact, pregnant. We have discussed all of your options thoroughly. I know all of your fears intimately, and I know exactly what you have ahead of you.

It seems that you’ve made up your mind to ‘terminate’ your pregnancy. When you told me of your decision, I remained solid, wanting to be supportive and loving. I wanted you to feel unjudged. You told me you thought an abortion would be the best choice for you. I hugged you and told you that everything would be fine, and that we would get through this together.

But I want to tell you some things. Things that are bursting within me, things that I NEED to tell you before you go through with having an abortion. Things that you need to know before you make this decision. Things that I don’t need to say because I am pro-life, but because I am your best friend, and I can’t let you make this decision without you knowing these things. So, before you go this Saturday to have your abortion, please know:

1.) You are strong .

I know that you have rebuilt your entire life more than once from total ruin. You have walked through fire and come out stronger and better than before. I envy your courage and your stamina. I envy that you can laugh through things that you struggle with. Your smile is beautiful because of the things you have been through. Your eyes shine with courage and experience beyond your years. You are one of the strongest women I know, and I know, without a doubt, that you ARE strong enough to handle a crisis pregnancy. The most anti-feminist thing I’ve ever heard is that a woman is not strong enough to handle a crisis pregnancy.

2.) I will be here for you .

No matter what that means. I will support you, I will hold your hair when morning sickness comes; I will help you find pickles and ice cream at 4am; I will help you consider all of the circumstances regarding whether you’d like to parent or place your child for adoption; I will throw you a baby shower; I will help you plan for the baby; I will help you pick out names; I will help you pick maternity clothes that don’t make you feel fat; I will make virgin margaritas and bring them over every Tuesday; I will show you pregnant tricks like tying a hair tie around the button of your too-small jeans so that you can still wear them because you’re not ready for maternity pants yet; I will hold you when pregnancy hormones make you weepy, laugh with you when they make you goofy, and share in your irrational outrage when the hormones make you a little loopy; I will help you choose a doctor you like; I will listen to your fears and celebrate your successes. “ Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16 I will not leave your side through this entire process, nor will I leave after. My friendship and love for you are here to stay.

3.) You don’t have to choose yet.

I know you feel that you’re not ready for the responsibility of a baby, and I understand your fears. Let’s just take this one day at a time. Once you decide that abortion is not for you, you have plenty of time to decide if adoption or parenting is the best choice. You don’t have to make this decision yet. But when you are ready for it, I will be here for you. And I will help you reach out to an adoption agency and choose a family; or I will help you prepare a nursery and stock pile diapers and take Lamaze classes. The best way to handle a crisis pregnancy is to remove the crisis, not the child. I know you feel a sense of urgency to make a decision, but stop for a moment, take a deep breath, and let’s just move one step at a time.

4.) You are important.

I hear often from our pro-choice counterparts that pro-lifers only care about the baby, and that we don’t care about the mother at all. That couldn’t be further from the truth. You matter. You are important. God has plans for YOU . He has had you in the palm of His hand from before your birth. He knew every breath you would take before you took your first . He is jealous for you. He loves you more than any love you’ve ever known. He is not like men you have known. He cannot disappoint you or lie to you. He IS who He says He is, and He does what He says He will do. He died a horrific death on the cross so that you could spend eternity with Him. Life has not been a walk in the park for you to this point, I know that well. But I know that life doesn’t have to be that way. Life doesn’t have to be about hate and anger. It doesn’t have to be about bitterness or revenge. It can be about love. It can be about new beginnings. It can be about freedom. There is freedom at the foot of the cross, hope resides at the opening of the empty grave. There is grace. Do not ever believe you don’t matter. There is nothing you could possibly do, no sin big enough, to separate you from the great love God has for you. He knit you together in your mother’s womb, He has called you by name and you are one of His children! How precious you are to Him is beyond measure. “ …but God shows His great love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

5.) Your baby already has a heartbeat.

Before you even knew you were pregnant, the baby growing in your womb had a heartbeat. A heartbeat that will probably be the most beautiful thing you’ve ever heard should you have an ultrasound. Your baby also has measurable brainwaves, little arms and legs, little fingers, and even eyes and eyelids. Not only does your baby have a heartbeat, but he or she has a purpose. You may not have planned this baby, but God did. And He has enormous plans for him or her. The same love I just told you that God has for you, God has for the child growing in your womb. He is knitting this child, YOUR child, together with His hands. Do you know how painstakingly dull it is to knit?? How detail-oriented and love-filled that task is? He lovingly and patiently takes the time to build our frame in the secret place and breathes His breath of life into our nostrils. Life is such a gift. You may not see it now, but you are blessed among women to be given the gift of life stirring in your womb. I cannot put into words the wonder and joy that will fill you when you feel the first flutters of life in your abdomen or the awe that will overcome you when you look upon the face of your baby for the first time. “ For I know the plans I have for you” Declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

6.) Abortion isn’t safe.

Please remember that this is your choice and that, no matter what, I will love you, support you, and be your friend; but also remember that abortion is not safe. Women who have had surgical abortions have died, been rendered infertile, have had perforated uterus’s, and suffered serious and debilitating depressions afterwards. Women who have had medication abortions have suffered serious side effects as well, as many as 491 women have died since the ‘abortion pill’ became an option, probably more still that have been unreported. And no one talks about it. It’s not on the news, it’s not branded about so that women like you and I can easily find it. The abortion industry doesn’t care about you as a person in the least. They claim to be champions for women and I’m calling B.S. They want your money and your silence. I have talked to many women who regret their abortions, but I have never once spoken to a woman who says she regrets choosing life for her child.

7.) Adoption is loving and selfless.

Some of the arguments against adoption I’ve heard are absolutely preposterous. Such as: “You made your bed, now you should lay in it”…. As if a child is a punishment for sex. Children are not punishments. You are not being punished for a careless mistake. God is not a mean kid with a magnifying glass, sitting atop an ant hill. This child is beauty from the ashes of the way your life has been up until now. There are 1.5 million couples in American waiting, right now, to adopt a child. Now, I am not pushing adoption on you in any way, shape, or form, but please do not discount it and think that you *have* to choose to parent if you choose life for your baby. If you don’t believe you are ready for a child, and feel strongly that someone else could provide a better life for your child, then please consider adoption. It is such a selfless, loving choice. And if anyone ever tries to tell you otherwise, I will show them to the door and present them with a pretty gift bag which will consist of strong words and a complimentary black eye.

8.) This is not the end of your life.

I know, from experience, that this is scary. I know just from seeing your face when I told you what the tests said that you are terrified to your very toes. You carry the knowledge of your pregnancy like a heavy burden and you cannot stand up straight under the enormous weight of it. You’ve probably prayed a few times for a miscarriage. And you’ve probably felt guilty for praying such a terrible thing. Darling, you are not alone. I was in a crisis pregnancy once, and I’ll tell you a secret: I prayed the same thing. You are not alone. This is scary, it is overwhelming. But, this will not break you. This feeling of panic will not to last forever. This is not the end of your life. Look at all that you have already overcome. Look at the frightening hurdles you have jumped over with ease. Looking ahead at them, you were terrified and thought maybe you wouldn’t make it, but looking back you see none of it was as hard as you imagined, and you overcame. This is will be the same. No matter what you choose, you will look back on this unplanned pregnancy as something you handled, overcame, and that refined you into the woman you will become. Do not throw in the towel. Do not give up. You can do this.

9.) You are not alone.

One of your biggest fears is going through this pregnancy, and raising this child, alone and without any financial/emotional help at all. That is one of every woman’s biggest fears, unplanned pregnancy or not. But you will not be alone. There are government programs to help you with the costs associated with giving birth and prenatal care. There are programs, churches, pregnancy crisis centers, women’s groups, etc that all are made for women in your situation. I have tons of pro-life friends who have children, and would love to give you their gently-used items. They want to help you. They want to support you during your pregnancy, and after the child is born. During your pregnancy, they provide free or very affordable maternity clothing, free classes on maternity and parenting. Should you choose to parent, they will help you get all of the items that you need for rock bottom prices or even for free in some cases; and should you choose to place your child for adoption, they offer emotional support groups and free counseling to help you sort through your emotions afterwards. Not only are all of these programs and people there to help you, but I am here to help you find them and navigate through them. This process doesn’t need to seem so looming and scary.

10.) Your baby needs you.

God is into details. Nothing He does is by accident or coincidence. He gave you this baby for a reason. We can’t see that reason on this side yet, but we will. Your baby has only one line of defense from the world, and it’s you. You alone are the defender, protector, nurturer, and home of this baby. Whether you choose to parent or place this child for adoption, your baby is counting on you. Your childhood was not easy, as your friend I know this secret of yours. But now is your chance. Now is your time to break the cycle. You have a choice to give your child things you never had. You have a choice, right this very minute, to choose to love. To choose to live in victory. To break the chains of generational sin. To become instead of just be. You ARE strong and courageous. You are called to a purpose. You are not called to have a spirit of fear. Your baby is at the most defenseless and vulnerable point possible right now. You are the only thing standing between your baby and a violent death. I beg you, with everything within me, please reconsider. I cannot make this choice for you, it is yours alone to make. I will love you and support you no matter what you decide, no if’s, and’s, or but’s about it. I have been in your shoes more than once, and at no point will I ever judge you for anything you feel because I have felt the same things. I am confident that you can choose life. I am confident that you are strong enough to handle the road ahead. And I am confident that God will reveal a great purpose in this trial if you put your faith and trust in Him and choose life. In Philippians 1:6, the Word tells us that ‘He who began a good work in you will see it through to completion’ . Your baby, and this pregnancy, are a good work. And God will help you navigate this road. You can trust Him. You can trust me. You can choose life. You can choose Love.

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose LIFE, that both you and your children may live…” Deuteronomy 30:19

Sincerely,

Your friend who loves you and your baby.

Georgia Life Alliance & Pro-life Coalition Urge Senators to Oppose Califf for FDA Commissioner

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 19:15:03 GMT

For more information: Joshua Edmonds, (678) 597-8055, info@georgialifealliance.com

Biden’s Nominee Weakened Safeguards on Abortion Drugs, Endangering Women

Washington, D.C. – Georgia Life Alliance (GLA), the largest pro-life group in the state, joined a coalition of nearly fifty pro-life groups spearheaded by Susan B. Anthony List sent a letter to the U.S. Senate urging members to oppose the nomination of Dr. Robert Califf for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner, a position Califf previously held in the Obama administration. The nomination is scheduled for a committee vote on Thursday.

Last month the Biden administration moved to weaken longstanding federal safety regulations against mail-order abortion drugs. The administration policy allows for dangerous at-home, do-it-yourself abortions without necessary medical oversight.

"The abortion industry is known for putting profits above patient safety, but the Biden Administration is taking their recklessness to new lengths," said GLA Executive Director, Joshua Edmonds . "With their radical rule change at the FDA and the nomination of Dr. Robert Califf, they hope to cement their sinister death by mail program for the abortion pill. We are calling on our Senators to prevent them from putting women at risk in Georgia."

SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser commented:

“Califf has a record of putting the abortion lobby’s extreme agenda ahead of women’s safety and the lives of unborn children. There is little doubt he will permanently authorize mail-order abortions if confirmed to lead the FDA. The Senate must protect mothers and children by rejecting his nomination.”

The coalition letter reads in part:

“In his confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee last month, Califf was asked about chemical abortion, and did not address his role in weakening safeguards on the drug. Instead, he told the committee that he trusted that any decision made by the FDA would be based on the best available data. There is a cruel irony in the fact that FDA data is ‘woefully inadequate’ data due to Califf’s own decisions while serving as FDA Commissioner during the Obama administration.

“Now the Biden administration seeks your consent to return Dr. Robert Califf to the top spot at the FDA where he will be asked to approve mail-order chemical abortion. With a track record of rubber-stamping abortion industry demands and with permanent authorization of unsafe mail-order abortion hanging in the balance, Califf is the wrong choice for FDA Commissioner. We urge you to vote no on his nomination.”

A recent, first-of-its-kind study authored by Dr. James Studnicki and a team of experts at the Charlotte Lozier Institute (CLI) found that chemical abortion is a major public health threat. The study found that the rate of abortion-related emergency room visits following a chemical abortion increased by more than 500% from 2002 through 2015. By analyzing 423,000 confirmed abortions, CLI scholars also found that the rate of chemical abortion-related ER visits is growing much faster than surgical abortion-related ER visits, and chemical abortion makes subsequent abortions more dangerous.

Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas have enacted state-level safeguards against mail-order abortion drugs. Georgia Life Alliance will be announcing legislation in the coming days as well.

Georgia Life Alliance is the largest pro-life group in Georgia and the only state affiliate to National Right to Life, the largest and oldest pro-life group in the nation. GLA provides leadership to the conservative movement and is the leading force in pro-life politics statewide.

###

GLA & NRLC Send Letter To The UN On International Human Rights Day

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 17:45:26 GMT

For more information: Joshua Edmonds, (678) 597-8055, info@georgialifealliance.com

On International Human Rights Day, National Right to Life and Georgia Life Alliance Remind the United Nations that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Protects the Rights of the Unborn Child; It Does Not Protect Abortion

WASHINGTON – Today, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) and it’s Georgia affiliate, Georgia Life Alliance (GLA) sent a letter to the Hon. Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan, president of the United Nations Human Rights Council reprimanding “human rights experts” from the United Nations.

These so-called experts have falsely declared the United States to be in violation of international law because of SB 8, the Texas law that protects unborn children whose hearts have begun to beat. Many of these same “experts,” in an unprecedented act, filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court regarding the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization abortion case which concerns Mississippi’s law that protects unborn babies after 15 weeks gestation.

The brief file by U.N. “experts” asserts that “international human rights law should guide the Supreme Court,” and it also claims that laws protecting unborn children are violations of “the United States’ obligations under the human rights treaties it has signed and ratified.”

But, as Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, noted in the letter, “[This claim by the so-called experts] is absolutely false. No United Nations treaty can plausibly be interpreted to require the legality of elective abortion. No right to abortion has ever been established in international law.”

In a move that clearly would violate the sovereignty of the United States, these so-called experts from the United Nations are trying to undermine U.S. law and self-government by making false claims about international law and the intent of treaties signed by the United States.

“As the leading pro-life group in Georgia, a state that made history by passing the first law to recognize fetal personhood in America, we bear a unique responsibility to condemn the U.N.’s continued refusal to recognize human rights of babies in the womb,” said GLA’s Executive Director, Joshua Edmonds. “We are honored to join National Right to Life Committee and our fellow affiliates around the country in calling the U.N. to refuse the influence of the abortion industry and join us on the moral high ground to protect all human life.”

The letter notes that the treaties and declarations signed and agreed to by the United States do the opposite of what the U.N. experts claim:

…the UDHR [Universal Declaration of Human Rights], the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)—support the equal protection of human beings at all developmental stages and in all conditions. The ICCPR states, “Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life” (Article 6.1). The CRC affirms that “the child … needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth” (preamble).

The letter to the United Nations can be found here .

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of affiliates in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia and more than 3,000 local chapters, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement, National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Georgia Life Alliance is the largest pro-life group in our state and the only state affiliate to National Right to Life. Since being founded nearly a decade ago, GLA has worked diligently to renew passion in the fight for the sanctity of human life. With our team sharing more than 50 years of pro-life leadership experience, GLA has grown to be one of the most influential names in Georgia politics. We are leading the fight for life in elections, policy, and education statewide and have united the pro-life movement in our communities to champion the same vision for Georgia: to build a culture of life together for the preborn, the elderly, the differently-abled, women in crisis, and children in need of loving families.

###

I'm Thankful For Abortion Bans

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 00:17:09 GMT

This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for abortion bans.

Maybe this is the weirder Thanksgiving post you read today. And that’s okay with me. But I was looking through all of the Thanksgiving greetings landing in my inbox today and it got me thinking about what I was thankful for this year that I could share with you. And so now you get this unusual email on your jolly day full of food and family.

Let me explain.

We were at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s annual conference a few weeks ago, and two delightful Georgia Baptist pastors came up to one of our education booths to look at our fetal development display.

As usually happens when folks look over our displays, one of them pulled out his phone to show us pictures of his grandson and he started telling us about how he was born just after 30 weeks. But then the story took an unusual and unexpected turn.

He said his daughter-in-law attempted to abort his grandson without telling anyone, but she was turned away because it was too late under Georgia’s abortion laws.

He (and I) began to tear up as he continued to flip through pictures of his perfectly healthy, wonderfully precious grandson.

In a moment of immense doubt and fear, his daughter-in-law had sought to abort her baby at 23 weeks gestation. Georgia’s current abortion ban places the limit at 20 weeks (though our pending Heartbeat Bill would move it all the way back to 6 weeks). And, as such, they denied the late term abortion based on our laws.

She regrets ever trying. But, if not for our abortion ban, she would have gone through with it. That precious baby boy wouldn’t be in his high chair for his first Thanksgiving today, digging into mashed potatoes and messing up his nicest turkey-themed onesie.

Maybe it’s improper to write a post like this today, but I kind of don’t care.

As I pondered what I was thankful for today, I couldn’t stop seeing that precious baby in my mind. I couldn’t stop thinking of his story. And I couldn’t stop thinking about sitting in the Senate Health & Human Services Committee hearing back in 2012 as a staffer for the Committee’s Chairman, watching the intense debate as we passed the Fetal Pain Bill that banned his abortion.

I couldn’t stop thinking about God’s immensely extravagant love for us, and how He would use anything possible to save just one life. That, like a shepherd who left the 99 and chased after the 1, He would have had us pass that bill if even only this one baby were saved by it. Because every life - even just the 1 - is worth the fight to save.

The mission of building a culture of life is vast and complex. It requires the hard work of our sidewalk counselors, our pregnancy resource centers, our adoption and foster agencies, our human trafficking rescuers, and it requires our lawmakers and judges who have the courage to pass and uphold abortion bans.

Because the fact of the matter is, that sweet boy is here with us today. He is alive because her abortion was illegal. And that is something I am immensely thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving, from the GLA Family to yours.

Together for Life,

Joshua Edmonds
Executive Director

BREAKING: 11th Circuit Stays Our Heartbeat Bill

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 14:54:27 GMT

I know it’s late, but this update was urgent and I wanted to make sure I typed this out and sent it to you as soon as I could. Our team is in Washington, DC right now meeting with our national pro-life coalition and our pro-life Congressional leaders like Marjorie Greene and Andrew Clyde, so please pardon any typos as I rush to type this from my hotel room.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals announced tonight that they were issuing a “Stay” on Georgia’s Heartbeat Bill pending the outcome of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision that the Supreme Court will rule on in June of next year.

It may be tempting to feel defeated by this, but I’ve been telling the media and our supporters since last week that we believed the 11th Circuit would do exactly this. This is a huge win for us - and I’ll briefly explain why.

By waiting until the Dobbs ruling in June, the 11th Circuit is communicating what we said all along: Roe v. Wade is no longer a matter of settled law, and the Court foresees that the Supreme Court may very well deal a fatal blow to Roe as early as next summer.

But that means that we may very well see our Heartbeat Bill go into effect as early as next summer.

That means that, from now until June, we need your help to get Georgia post-Roe ready.

As the largest and most influential pro-life group in Georgia, we’ve been leading the fight to build a pro-life culture in policy, education, and elections. But there is still much to be done, and we need your help.

Can you chip in just $5, $25, $50, or $100 to help us continue bringing the pro-life message around the state and to pass more pro-life legislation in 2022?

We have led the fight to pass historic pro-life legislation over the last two years, launched the largest pro-life education campaign in Georgia history, and spent more money than every other conservative organization combined to re-elect a pro-life majority in 2020. And we have more ambitious plans that will make history and we cannot wait to announce to you in the coming months. Plans that will position Georgia to be the first pro-personhood, post-Roe state in the nation.

Be praying for us as we continue our work. We’re the only pro-life group in Georgia who maintains a vigilant presence in Washington to provide leadership at a national scale, so be praying that God continues to provide for us and protect us as we seek to be His hands and feet.

Blessings on you, my friend!

Joshua

Everything Has Changed

Sat, 25 Sep 2021 14:58:31 GMT

I apologize for the early post, but I’ve spent the last 28 hours in a whirlwind surrounding the oral arguments of Georgia’s Heartbeat Bill in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and I couldn’t pull myself away from media interviews and grassroots training to email you until now.

Our legal team was listening in on the hearing all Friday morning, then we immediately went in to debrief meetings with our team and the author of the law itself, Rep. Ed Setzler, to ensure that everyone was in agreement on the historic developments.

We all agree. Everything has changed.

As I told the folks at 11 Alive News , Georgia Recorder, and others: the Court made it clear that they absolutely agree with Rep. Setzler and Georgia Life Alliance that affirming the personhood of preborn babies and supporting families with unborn dependent tax deductions and child support for babies with beating hearts is clearly constitutional.

What’s more, we heard the attorney for the abortion industry make an unprecedented concession: affirmed that Roe v. Wade is no longer a matter of settled law. The ability for Georgia to enforce our heartbeat abortion ban in conjunction with our personhood language will be determined by how the Supreme Court rules on Mississippi’s 15-week abortion law in June of next year.

Our legal team believes that the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals will likely put their Heartbeat Bill decision on hold until after the Supreme Court rules on Mississippi’s “Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health” case. They will hear that case in December of this year then issue a decision in June of next year.

But, before then, there is a real chance they will uphold all of our personhood language, the child support, tax deduction, and remainder of the Heartbeat Bill even by the end of this year.

Georgia has, once again, demonstrated that our state is the best positioned to actually implement a law that eliminates nearly all abortion and recognize the personhood of babies in the womb.

This never could have happened without you.

Your faithfulness to support our work financially, pray for our pro-life lawmakers, and send a pro-life majority back to the State House and State Senate in 2020 have made all the difference in the world.

From activists in the community to elected officials, pro-lifers had the faith to sow in a time of famine, like Isaac in Genesis 26, and God has blessed the harvest right before our eyes.

But, there is still much to be done. You can chip in $5, $10, $25, $50, or $100 to help us keep up our hard work.

While we await the 11th Circuit to decide on Georgia’s Heartbeat Bill, we will be back at work speaking around the state about the personhood of the unborn and the importance of preparing for a day when our Heartbeat Bill is in effect - possibly as soon as next June.

We are the only pro-life group in Georgia touring the state to help educate communities, equip churches, defend pregnancy centers, protect the Heartbeat Bill, and ensure the pro-life majority at the Capitol continues to build a culture of life.

We need your prayers, your support, and your passion to make Georgia ready to be a Post-Roe state.

Now that the Heartbeat Bill is in the hands of the 11th Circuit, can you commit to praying for the Judges on the Court? Can you commit to asking your Pastor to bring GLA in to speak about the Heartbeat Bill and what it means for our communities? Can you commit to giving financially to helping us continue growing the pro-life culture in our state?

The reality is, we have never been closer than we are right now to finally putting the last nail in the coffin of Roe and protecting life in our state. But if we get content and ease off the gas, the abortion industry will regroup and push back.

That’s why we are celebrating this victory, but getting back to work harder than ever. We aren’t daunted by being the only pro-life group in Georgia working with our lawmakers to protect all life - because we know that you and our Heavenly Father are on our side.

And I’d pick this team over any other, any day of the week.

God bless you for all you do. And may He stir your passion to engage and win your community for life!

Together for Life,

Joshua Edmonds

Executive Director

URGENT: Stop Taxpayer Funded Abortions

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 15:02:42 GMT

This is serious, so I’ll be brief.

Today, our national coalition of pro-life leaders sent a letter to Congress demanding that the Hyde Amendment be included in all Federal funding bills.

For more than 40 years, the Hyde Amendment has ensured that Americans are not forced to pay for abortion-on-demand with their tax dollars. The process of keeping taxpayers out of the abortion business began with the first Hyde Amendment (which applied to Medicaid) and has since been applied to other federal programs through additional amendments called Helms, Weldon, Dornan, and more.

The Hyde Amendment has saved an estimated 2,450,362 lives since 1976. But now the Hyde Amendment and those like it are under attack.

Abortion activists in Congress have already blocked Hyde protections in the so-called “American Rescue Plan,” forcing Americans to pay for abortions under the guise of COVID-19 relief. This was the largest expansion of taxpayer-funded abortion since Obamacare.

Now, their sights are set on this year’s appropriations spending bills, and they are determined to remove any longstanding policies that have restricted funds from being spent on abortion services and abortion coverage.

As the only pro-life group in Georgia working in Washington to protect Hyde, we need your help.

Join us in contacting Senator Warnock, Senator Ossoff, Congresswoman McBath, and Congresswoman Bourdeaux ask them to protect the Hyde Amendment. Also remember to tweet and post about the abortion industry’s attempt to force taxpayer-funded abortions using hashtag #HydeSavesLives.

Senator Warnock: 202-224-3643
Senator Jon Ossoff: 202-224-3521
Congresswoman Lucy McBath: 202-225-4501
Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux: 202-225-4272

It’s time for us to step up and demand action. Even though the odds seem stacked against us, but God has already written our victory. We just have to stand together and know that we can make a difference.

Let’s keep chopping!

Together for Life,

Joshua Edmonds

Executive Director

Roe is just the beginning...

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 15:13:59 GMT

Roe Is Just The Beginning

You’ve likely heard the news by now that the Texas Heartbeat Bill has taken effect as of Tuesday night at midnight and abortions performed after a detectable heartbeat (or 6 weeks gestation) are now illegal in the state of Texas. At this very moment, abortion providers are calling patients and cancelling abortion appointments. Estimates are that 150 innocent lives in Texas are going to be spared by this law *every single day*.

Many groups and public figures are celebrating the SCOTUS decision to allow the Texas Heartbeat Bill to take effect - and rightfully so. If our goal is to eradicate abortion and protect the unborn, this law saving literally hundreds of babies every day is a HUGE victory!!

What many of us are not considering, however, is the impact this has on the vulnerable women carrying those babies. These women, who now have had their abortion appointments cancelled, were only choosing abortion in the first place because they felt so desperate, so very alone, and lacked adequate resources or support to feel empowered enough to choose life in the first place. And the profit-minded abortion industry was all-to-eager to prey on their fears, take advantage of their perceived lack of options, and exploit their crisis for a financial profit.

The circumstances surrounding these women’s tragic decision have not changed just because they no longer have the option to kill their innocent children.

The answers and solutions to the “obstacles" they’re facing didn’t magically appear at midnight on September 1st when this law took effect. The fears and weight of their circumstances only increased and got even heavier the moment they received a call informing them that their abortion appointment had to be cancelled.

These women see and hear us celebrating victory, they see so many of us spiking the football - but they should also see us putting our beliefs and words into practice. They should hear us offering the help, resources, and support they lack.

Our pro-life friends and advocates in Texas are witnessing firsthand that their work did not end simply because most abortions were made illegal in their state. In reality, the real work has only just begun.

We have long declared that we care about these vulnerable women and want to help solve the crisis they face with an unplanned pregnancy. We have long shouted that we are NOT simply “pro-birth”. We have long argued that we want to help create a culture that addresses and resolves every ‘reason’ a woman seeks an abortion.

Our partners in Texas are now finding that it’s time for the pro-life community to prove it.

The first thing I did yesterday morning was connect with our boots-on-the-ground partners in Texas to collaborate and find out how GLA and our faithful supporters can help the direct service providers in Texas meet the very real and very urgent needs facing vulnerable pregnant women and their innocent children. Google searches for “Self-Induced Abortion” have spiked 160% in Texas, just in the past THREE days. The service providers on the front lines there are being INUNDATED with requests for help.

The harvest is plenty, but the workers are few. They need OUR help. And we need YOUR help.

Georgia Life Alliance, along with Governor Brian Kemp and so many others, knew when we began drafting the LIFE Act (aka, Georgia’s ‘Heartbeat Bill’) that a Post-Roe Georgia was imminent. We have known for years now that it was not a matter of IF Roe was overturned, it was a matter of WHEN Roe was overturned. And we knew we needed to be ready to address every. single. reason women and men have for feeling like abortion is their only option. We have always known that when a woman feels like abortion is her *ONLY* option, our society has failed her.

We have been working, with YOUR help, to create a Post-Roe Georgia. To build a culture in our state that is Pro-Life both in word and in deed.

*How* Have We Prepared for Roe’s Aftermath?

We’ve done things like:

expanded pregnancy medicaid - not only extending the coverage time frame but also expanding the services available at no cost to low-income pregnant and new mothers;
fought for and protected a grant program in our state budget that funds direct medical services for low-income pregnant and new mothers, at no cost to them;
raised the bar for direct service providers to such a high standard that other states have come to us asking how they can model their programs and services after Georgia’s;
added protections ensuring that persons with disabilities (the “exceptions”) who are on organ transplant waiting lists are not skipped or passed over simply because of their physical or mental disability.

We are setting the standard for the nation, all because we had the audacity to take God at His word and trusted His promise that victory was coming.

Georgia is not going to be caught off guard when our Heartbeat Bill is ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court. We will be ready to defend the vulnerable and fight for the defenseless in our state, thanks to courageous pro-life leadership at the capitol and the faithful support of people like YOU.

This is a big win. Lives are going to be saved and we have every reason to be encouraged and feel triumphant right now.

But when you’re done celebrating, it is time to get to work. It is time to help these vulnerable women. It’s time to go volunteer at your local pregnancy resource center. It’s time to call them and ask what they need and how you can help the women facing uncertainty.

It’s time to go be His hands and feet.

If you’re not in Texas but still want to help the vulnerable women and their unborn children there, keep following Georgia Life Alliance for updates as we continue to work with our partners and fellow advocates in Texas to identify and meet the immediate needs of the defenseless and vulnerable. Donate to our efforts. Email me at Elizabeth@GeorgiaLifeAlliance.com if you want to volunteer with us, need some help getting connected to your local pregnancy center or other direct service provider, or if your church or organization wants to know how you can help.

No one can do everything, but each and every one of us can do something. And together, we can continue to build a culture of life in Georgia that shines as a beacon to every state in the nation who is ready to not just protect the right to life, but protect the right to live.

“I have come that they might have Life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

Together for Life,

Elizabeth Reed

Leadership Director

God isn't done with us yet...

Sun, 15 Aug 2021 15:05:22 GMT

God isn’t done writing our stories yet.

Today, our good friend Pastor Jentezen Franklin of Free Chapel (who I had the pleasure of serving with on the Pro-Life Voices for Trump Board of Directors last year) preached a powerful message about how important it is to trust in God as the author of our story and never put a period where He is placing a comma.

As I listened, it took me back to memories of the beginning of 2019. Georgia had just won huge election victories in November of 2018 and the pro-life movement was begging the question of what is next for our culture. The reality was, the previous pro-life leadership in our state and even some in national leadership were urging us not to do anything dramatic to upset the tentative peace between the abortion industry and the pro-life community.

The trouble was, as I was taking over as Executive Director here at GLA, I believed God was casting a new vision for our state and for what He was going to do in our culture. And I believed that, even though our predecessors were cautioning us that the Courts were not favorable to a new abortion ban and the media would never give us a fair shot and defending it, God was calling us to step out in faith and answer His call.

So, when Governor Kemp gave his support to our plan to push the Heartbeat Bill, we were nervous, uncertain, but confident. And God honored our faith by keeping His promises.

In the time between when Governor Kemp signed the Heartbeat Bill and now, not only did we get fair representation in the media with opportunities like a 45 minute live debate with the President of Planned Parenthood Southeast on NPR and coverage on every news outlet with an acronym, but the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals (where the Heartbeat Bill currently resides) received a new majority of Justices and the Supreme Court (where it heads next) received 3 new pro-life Justices from President Trump - all under the advisement of the Pro-Life Voices for Trump Board of Directors (which included Georgia representatives Pastor Jentezen Franklin, Alveda King, Ralph Reed, and myself).

Those who came before us were eager to put a period on the fight to protect the sanctity of life. BUT GOD.

Because of the faithfulness of His people in Georgia, we are closer now than ever to a Post Roe Georgia and a culture that respects and protects all life - with no exceptions.

I don’t know about you, but that’s the encouragement I needed on my Sunday. In my life personally, but specifically as we are about to set out on a new week of fighting against the abortion industry.

While we may not be able to see the path before us, the Author and Finisher of our faith does. He is calling us to step out in faith and let Him write the next chapter of your life, the Church, our state, and the pro-life movement.

With another long week of work ahead of us, I want to encourage you that the work before us is not in vain. I haven’t seen the future, but I’ve read the end of the book: Jesus wins. Life wins. And we need you now more than ever to keep pressing onward and not grow weary in doing good as we work together to build a culture of life.

As my friend Pastor Jentezen would say, why don’t you take a 5 second praise break, and let’s thank God for His faithfulness in Georgia. Be praying for us as we continue our work, and we hope to see you on the road soon at one of our Post Roe Georgia Statewide Tour dates!

Together for Life,

Joshua Edmonds

Executive Director

5 Things I Want to Tell My Daughter’s Mother

Sun, 10 May 2020 20:55:00 GMT

We are so very different, you and I. In a different world, I don’t know that our paths would have ever crossed – much less that we would be ever have been friends. When we met for the first time, I was a 15-year-old, homeless, 5 months pregnant, high school dropout who was praying for a miracle. You were a 30-year old, married, Christian middle school teacher who was praying for God to grow your family. So much has happened in both of our lives since we met almost 15 years ago; there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about you and the little girl we both love (I’ll call her B going forward for privacy reasons). As we approach Mother’s Day this year and are all confined to our homes, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on the bond we’ve shared over the years and I realize how much I’ve left unsaid – before another year goes by, I wanted to tell you these things:

I remember one Sunday morning, about two years after B was born, sitting in a Mother’s Day service when the pastor asked all of the mothers to stand up so the congregation could recognize them. With a heavy heart, I stayed seated with my head bowed; I didn’t know if I ‘counted’ or could be included in the Motherhood Club because I was ‘just’ a birth mother. I didn’t think I deserved the recognition the ‘other’ moms did because all I did was carry and deliver B. I never stayed up all night comforting her cries, I wasn’t the one who stood at her bedside after her surgery when she was 3 months old, I never changed her diapers or kissed her boo-boo’s, I didn’t help her take her first steps. I’m not her ‘mom’. I’m her birth mother.

I know there have been times when mom friends of yours would share birth and pregnancy stories and you likely felt excluded; like you didn’t ‘count’ as much as a mom because you didn’t enter motherhood the same way they did. You never felt the first flutters of B’s life stir in your womb, you didn’t spend the first 3 months of her in-utero life with your head in the toilet, you never experienced the wonder of tapping a melody on your stomach and feeling her swift kicks in response, or having your entire belly shake every 4 seconds when she had the hiccups (which was *all* the time).

We’ve both experienced motherhood in a way that’s unique to us, but the way we became mothers does not make us less than any other ‘type’ of mother. We both count. You and I will always share a bond of motherhood that can’t be severed. B is mine in ways that I can’t give to you; and she is yours in ways that I could never take. Thank you for being her mother. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for sharing this unique bond of motherhood with me. If I could choose again, I’d still choose you.

Happy Mother’s Day, from one mom to another

Speak Life 2021 Oratory Contest

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 21:04:00 GMT

When Women and Children Are The Price Tag of Petty Politics

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 20:50:00 GMT

There I sat Monday morning in Room 406 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building, shell-shocked and genuinely horrified at the brazen display of petty childishness that I had just witnessed.

Representative Ed Setzler’s HB 958 , “The Maternity Supportive Housing Act”, was heard in the House Juvenile Justice Committee earlier this week. As is the case with every proposed bill, HB 958 has the potential to become State Law if it makes it through the legislative process. (If you’re not familiar with how a bill becomes a law, SchoolHouse Rock has a very catchy and informative song that I’d highly recommend).

Representative Setzler had not even begun to present the bill when 5 of the committee members simply left the room.

They just got up and LEFT !

An exodus of adult-sized toddlers fleeing from their responsibilities – their only intent was to leave so few committee members that a vote could not be held, thereby preventing the bill from making it out of the committee before Crossover Day. Let there be no doubt, this was a concerted and intentional effort to a) send a huge ‘F—You’ to Representative Setzler and b) kill this bill where it stood.

Why?

Well because they don’t like him, that’s why. Not because they had any concerns about how the bill would impact their district. Nope. They just don’t like the Representative sponsoring the bill, so they attempted to sabotage the entire process.

This sort of behavior is disheartening and discouraging in its own right; but it is especially heartbreaking when good bills are caught as collateral damage in a war that has nothing to do with their substance.

This particular bill seeks to provide more avenues for non-profit organizations to provide homes for pregnant women and new mothers who otherwise would have nowhere else to go. Not only would this bill allow for more options for these women, it would also extend the amount of time a woman and her newborn are able to stay in that home. The current guidelines state that a woman has just 8 weeks after giving birth to figure something out before she is essentially tossed out; HB 958 extends that time to 18 months – which gives the new mother time to recover, find/return to a job, learn essential skills for leading a family and running a household, and the support she needs while adjusting to motherhood.

While there are maternity homes in Georgia, the demand is FAR greater than the supply. Women are being turned away, hopeless with nowhere to go, far too often for a state that just last year passed The Heartbeat Bill. In order to actually build a culture of Life – one where women don’t feel coerced into choosing abortion – we have to commit to helping women when they do choose life. Empowering them to choose life and equipping them with the skills and resources they need to succeed and thrive after doing so.

I was turned away by a maternity home when I was 15 and pregnant. It was already my last option or hope for a roof over my head at all, and being told “no, sorry, we can’t take you.” was a heavy blow. I spent the next several months in a whirlwind of homelessness, sleeping on friends/family member’s couches, stealing money and food out of necessity, selling things that no person should be able to purchase.

When those 5 committee members got up and walked out of that committee room, they walked out on girls just like me.

Our elected officials must remember and consider that the bills they see everyday aren’t just words on a page and that voting on future law is not just another day at work. Real people with real struggles could be made or broken by bills like these, and they deserve to be fairly considered. This particular bill affects women who are or will be in the same shoes I once wore, and they deserve to be put before political games.

Regardless of the topic, substance, or sponsor of ANY proposed bill – every single representative assigned to the committee hearing it owes a DUTY to the people of his/her district to at least READ and HEAR that bill and to make every good faith effort in deciding whether the best interests of their district would be well-served or harmed by it, and then cast votes accordingly.

To Representatives Shelly Hutchinson, Erica Thomas, Dar’Shun Kendrick, and Pam Dickenson – on behalf of Georgia voters, I have only this to say:

You were elected to represent the people of your district. You made a promise to serve the people who voted for you and to set aside your personal feelings about your ‘enemies’ across the aisle. You were called to reach across that aisle, even and especially when you don’t want to, in your efforts to represent and protect the people who trusted you enough to send you as their missive to our State Capitol.

Your behavior Monday was so far beneath your profession, it is embarrassing.

You should be ashamed of yourselves .

Your constituents don’t care who proposes a bill. They care how it affects them. And so should you.

Don’t lose sight of why you started because of political games. Don’t let the price tag of petty politics be the very people you swore to represent.

State Can Do More to Help Challenged Foster Kids

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 21:14:00 GMT

Most people use Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat or a host of other social media to show the best of what’s going on in their lives. The truth is, life isn’t always pretty. And for children who grow up in homes where they are neglected, abused, or their parents are substance abusers, life is a game of survival.

With Gov. Brian Kemp and Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan pledging this year to make foster kids and those who age out of the system a top priority for the state of Georgia, I thought it was about time to tell the story of what it is like for some of us who had to be removed from our parents’ care and placed in foster homes.

I am now a 34-year-old adult, but I still have many scars because of parents who just weren’t capable of leaving their demons behind and putting their children first. I was one of those foster kids.

Like many foster children, my biological parents got married too young, divorced and moved on. When I was 7 years old, I was adopted. That’s where the terror began.

I was never really accepted by this family, which wanted to have their own children. I was demoralized, humiliated, denied food, required to sleep in a cold garage, not given proper clothing, verbally abused and severely beaten. I was made to quit school at age 14 under false premises of changing schools so teachers and counselors would stop asking questions about why I was so thin and what was happening to me at home.

When I was 16, I was taken into state custody, but unfortunately was also abused by one of my foster parents – a member of my extended family. By the time I left the foster care system, I found my birth mother and stayed with her until I earned a high school diploma at an alternative school when I was 19.

I eventually moved to Athens and took some online courses before a series of jobs led to me Atlanta, where I now work for a wonderful company in the financial services industry.

Growing up in a highly dysfunctional home is nothing I would wish on anyone. In 2019, there were 13,900 kids in foster care in Georgia. I am one of the rare foster kids who has not wound up in poverty or turned to crime or drugs.

Seventy-one percent of girls become pregnant in the first year that they age out of the foster care system.

Less than 11 percent who age out of the system earn that high school diploma or GED. I was determined to get mine. I wanted to make something of my life after being told I was worthless for years.

Having a mentor who could have pointed me in the right direction would have helped. So many of us former foster kids truly are searching and need someone with wisdom. Thankfully, I found a solid church family that gave me love and support. Too often foster kids don’t have support, and they turn to drugs, prostitution or crime.

We also need advice on how to balance a checkbook, create a budget, do the laundry, grocery shop – all the life skills young people take for granted. Job training, including career counseling, would be a tremendous boost when so many of us are insecure, don’t know what job to pursue, or how to make a living.

As state lawmakers meet this winter, they are considering a host of ideas to help foster kids and foster families, including incentives for adoption, speeding up their cases in court and creating harsh criminal penalties for sexual abuse of foster kids. As a child who aged out of the system, I can tell you it would also be wonderful if the state encouraged recruiting mentors for former foster kids. Additional educational options could certainly help those who never graduated or perform well in public schools and need special attention.

Foster kids have come from some of the most painful experiences you can imagine. We have emotional battle scars that last a lifetime. Anything we can do to prevent this cycle from repeating itself is not only an act of love and compassion but a worthy act of preserving our society.

Chelsea Magee is our Director of Foster Care and Adoption Advocacy, a former foster child, and lives in Cobb County.

GEORGIA LIFE ALLIANCE COMMITTEE LAUNCHES $3 MILLION PRO-LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN AROUND 2020 ELECTIONS; LARGEST IN STATE HISTORY

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:25:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2020
Contact: Joshua Edmonds
Joshua@georgialifealliance.com
678-597-8055

ATLANTA, GA—Days after President Donald Trump made history as the first sitting President to speak at the annual March for Life, Georgia Life Alliance Committee (GLA) announces they will launch the largest pro-life education campaign in state history during the 2020 elections.

GLA, the state affiliate of National Right to Life, will take over all media outlets with a comprehensive education campaign utilizing social media, print, mail, billboards, radio, and television advertising, to educate Georgia voters ahead of the state’s critical elections in November.

“Big abortion businesses like Planned Parenthood routinely funnel millions in dark money from Hollywood and New York to legalize abortion up until and even after birth,” said Joshua Edmonds, Executive Director. “So, we are building a pro-life wall to defend against their influence in our elections. Georgia is a state that values life, and we are going to highlight that over the next 10 months.”

As the largest pro-life organization in Georgia, GLA led the fight to pass 2019’s Heartbeat Bill and will now fulfill its promise to lead the fight against abortion activists who are targeting pro-life lawmakers around the state.

“Our elected officials put their political futures on the line to do what is right – protect the sanctity of human life. Now we are going to do what is right and show that we have their backs, starting with our pro-life US Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler,” said Emily Matson, Chairman of the Board.

The campaign, which launches this week, will start with $3 million in planned spending and is expected to grow in budget and scope as the year progresses.

Listen to the first radio ad to be released here.

###

Georgia Life Alliance advocates for the vulnerable, the abandoned, and the defenseless: the baby still in her mother’s womb, the orphaned child desperate for a safe and loving home, and the woman who finds herself in a desperate situation. We work tirelessly to bring attention and healing to the struggles of the unborn and other at-risk groups, endeavoring to help secure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all Georgians . Learn more at georgialifealliance.com .

Georgia Senators Targeting the Elderly with Profoundly Immoral New Bill

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 20:45:00 GMT

After suffering a crushing defeat when they tried to oppose the Heartbeat Bill last year; Senator Steve Henson, Senator Nan Orrock, and their pro-death supporters took the year to lick their wounds and have returned this legislative session with a new targeted attack on the innocent and most vulnerable among us – Senate Bill 291 , the “ Georgia Death with Dignity Act “.

There are attempts to introduce a version of this same initiative every few years, each with a different, catchy, and seemingly altruistic name – meant to ignite a sense of compassion and support from those who don’t realize that their only goal is to continue to attack and erode the value of human life, and our morals along with it. They have pretty words and misleading language, but as we’ve seen in every state or nation which has legalized this callous practice; a ‘right to die’ eventually means a ‘duty to die’ , and ‘compassion’ always means killing. They try to tell us that someone begins approaching the end of their lives is merely a ‘shell’ of their former self, that they wouldn’t choose to live ‘like this,’ that they’d never want to be a ‘burden’ on their loved ones, and that the ‘compassionate’ or ‘loving’ thing to do would be to murder them.

For me, this isn’t just about politics or scoring points at the capitol…and it shouldn’t be for you either. Senators Henson and Orrock have come for our families. They’ve come for MY family.

I spent the majority of my childhood with my grandparents. My mother was very young, unprepared, and unmarried when I was born. She worked 2-3 jobs most of the time and would drop me on my grandparents’ doorstep for days or weeks at a time – often with little to no notice. I am certain that the intrusion of an infant when their own children were finally grown and out of the house was not ideal for them; but my grandmother never once let me feel like a burden. She joyfully nurtured and loved me. She fed me when I couldn’t feed myself, she interpreted for me when I couldn’t yet speak, she stood for me when I couldn’t yet walk. She took me to church with her every Sunday. She taught me how to saddle and ride a horse. She showed me that the difference between right and wrong doesn’t change and it has nothing to do with how we feel in the moment.

Objectively; I was useless to her. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t use the toilet independently. I gave nothing and required much. I complicated her life at a time when she should have been able to finally begin to relax and take things a little easier, maybe even start to travel or take up those hobbies she’d always been too busy tending her family to pursue. I was inconvenient.

My grandmother now lives every day dependent on oxygen tanks that must be changed every few hours, medicines and injections that must be administered in strict regimens. She has COPD, Alzheimer’s disease, and her doctor’s very recently found a cancerous and inoperable tumor. She is forgetful and clumsy, elderly, and feeble. The woman who showed such strength of character, the woman who was such a pillar of independence and grace for my entire life, the woman who taught me how to hold a fork and that you always cook bacon in the cast iron skillet before making cornbread, the woman who taught me to sew and read my bible, the woman who taught me right from wrong and to never look down on someone unless I was helping them up – that woman now depends on others for literally everything. She falls asleep during conversations, she forgets names and details, she struggles with daily tasks that used to be so easy for her. She is fading before my eyes. When I am with her; however, I still see that Spanish fire ignite her eyes when I’m telling a story that gets her spirit riled up, or I ‘accidentally’ use a swear word. I can still feel her love for me when I lie beside her, even though she sometimes can’t wrap her arms around me like she used to. I still see my grandmother.

Senators Henson and Orrock would like you and I to believe that she should die. That my family would be giving her ‘dignity’ to allow her to kill herself. That the ‘compassionate’ thing to do for her would be to tell her that she’s a burden. That she should take a pill and end her life so that we can all move on with ours without the ‘unpleasant’ task of watching her fade from us.

I refuse.

Will it break my heart to say goodbye to the woman who raised me? Yes. Without question.

Will anything ease the loss of her when she is called away? Absolutely not.

But when she does leave this world; it will not be with grief in her heart because the law has told her she has a duty to die and spare her family from the ‘burden’ of caring for her. It will be with me by her side, speaking for her when she can no longer speak, feeding her when she can no longer feed herself, standing for her when she can no longer stand. Fighting for her when she can no longer fight.

Those supporting this bill tell us that this will be too painful – that she’d be better off dead at this point because she wouldn’t want that to happen. That there will come a time, soon, where my grandmother will see my face and not remember who I am. That’s okay. I don’t do this because she remembers me or knows who I am – I do it because I remember who she was, who she is, and Whose she is.

Murder isn’t healthcare. There is nothing compassionate about ending a human life when it’s become ‘inconvenient’. Do not believe their lies; there is no ‘dignity’ in telling someone that they would be better off dead.

Stand for people like my grandmother. Help me defend her.

Call Senators Steve Henson (404-656-0085) and Nan Orrock (404-463-8054); tell them that you oppose Senate Bill 291.

As a pro-life movement, we must stand for those at the end of their lives with the same passion that we stand for those at the beginning of their lives. The time to speak up is now. If we win the fight against abortion but neglect to defend the elderly and infirm, we have still lost.

Jim Quinn Certified Pro-Life by Georgia Life Alliance

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 19:20:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2019
Contact: Joshua Edmonds
Joshua@georgialifealliance.com
678-597-8055

ATLANTA – Georgia Life Alliance Committee (GLAC) has issued an official pro-life certification to Jim Quinn ahead of the critical December 3rd Special Election Runoff.

“With the unprecedented pro-life legislative victories this year, it’s more critical now than ever that we have unapologetically pro-life leaders serving in the legislature who support the Heartbeat Bill (HB481) and other life-affirming efforts,” said GLA Executive Director Joshua Edmonds. “That’s why I’m proud to announce that Jim Quinn has been officially certified as a pro-life candidate by the Georgia Life Alliance Committee.”

Georgia Life Alliance Committee has conducted a comprehensive application and certification process since 2015 to certify candidates who support GLA’s mission to build a culture of life in Georgia. The GLA Pro-life Certification packet can be found on the GLA website.

“I call on every pro-life Georgian in House District 152 to support pro-life candidates in the December 3rd Runoff,” said Edmonds. “With adoption and foster care reform, Simon’s Law, and other critical life-affirming legislation on the agenda for 2020, we need advocates for building a culture of life now more than ever.”

Jim’s individual candidate questionnaire can be found here .

Georgia Life Alliance is the largest right to life organization in Georgia and the official affiliate of National Right to Life.

###

Redefining Adoption in Today’s Modern World

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 14:21:00 GMT

This is a guest editorial from our statewide partners Abiding Love Adoptions in celebration of National Adoption Month. For more information, contact Vicki Colls and Carrie Murray Nellis.

Delving into one’s family tree is a favorite pastime for all peoples throughout the world! Ancestry.com has sold over 15 million kits. Many older adoptees, placed for adoption during the closed adoption era, are using Ancestry.com to locate birth parents and birth families with great success. Most everyone…..E V E R Y O N E wants to know more about their roots! Therefore, it begs the question, why does closed or semi-open adoption still have a seat at the table?

At Abiding Love, we believe wholeheartedly in the concept of One Big Family (#onebigfamily) created through Open Adoption. Research shows the devasting effects in which closed and semi-open adoptions (a tiny step above closed) have on Adoptees and Birth Parents. At Abiding Love, 98% of our adoptions are wide open, sharing names, phone numbers, emails, and visits. The other 2% are different because it was the desire of the Birth Mother at the time, with the hope she will change her mind to have an Open Adoption in the future, and the adoptive parents are ready when she does.

Abiding Love walks with an Expectant Mother through her pregnancy, delivery, and post-adoption (hands-on; face to face interaction). We come to the Expectant Mother; she does not have to worry about coming to us. Once a woman comes into our lives, she becomes a member of the Abiding Love Family to always be treasured and loved—1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 5 years down the road—Never Alone, Never Forgotten, Always Loved. Abiding Love’s advocates stand in the gap for the expectant mother, ensuring she knows her rights, understands the legal paperwork, and signs a legally enforceable open adoption agreement. The legally binding open adoption agreement is the one listed in Georgia’s Adoption Code and ensures the original open adoption the birth mother agrees to is enforced.

One of the many things that makes Abiding Love different, is that we have NO WAIT LIST. For us, we believe that in order for us to truly be advocating for an Expectant Parent, we cannot have a list of Prospective Adoptive Parents waiting in the wings to adopt her child. Likewise, Prospective Adoptive Parents should not be limited to one agency to work with. While we provide Home Study services, after we complete the Home Study we encourage Prospective Adoptive Parents to work with Adoption Consultants.

Our passion, our mission is to love women through one of the most challenging times of their lives. Adoption is not for everyone, and there are times where the women we work with choose to parent. In these situations, we are called to be their cheerleaders. There are other times that adoption is the best option and plan for the Mother and her child, and Abiding Love is there to advocate for her through it all. Abiding Love is known for being present post-adoption through support groups and professional counseling. Again, once a member of Abiding Love’s family, always a member.

Want to learn more, or are you an expectant mother needing help? Visit our website at www.abidingloveadopt.com , call or text 1-800-277-0748; or call Vicki at 912-660-8227.

To the foster girl who is 17 and scared for her future

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 19:07:00 GMT

Author’s identity asked to remain anonymous.

I know you’re feeling alone, scared and worried about the future. I know that every day you just wish you were normal, that the family you see walking down the street could be your family. Instead you’ve had to endure the decisions of another person and spend every day feeling like something is wrong with you, that you’re unworthy of being loved.

I know because I was you. I went into a group home at 16, I didn’t know how to use a tampon, I couldn’t remember having 3 square meals a day, and it had been years since I had a bed to sleep on or even a pillow to sleep with. That group home gave me back a shred of my security and it was in that moment I learned so much about myself, my strength, my resilience and my understanding of people. Little did I know that there would be many more trials before it was all over.

Now, I am sitting here 15 years later. I have this incredible life, with amazing friends, family I didn’t even know I had. I have my own apartment, a bad ass job, I am financially stable and secure. Life could not be better. I would be lying if I said the road was easy, if I told you that God didn’t have a hand in my past and present. I would be lying if I told you I didn’t believe that God has a hand in my future and that I believe in His purpose for my life, but that faith and belief comes with work on my end and lots of heartache.

Dream big, befriend people who are living your dreams, don’t incur debt, save your money, indulge in chocolate on a Tuesday just because you can. Forgive the people who break your heart and leave them in your past. Love the people who love you so hard that you feel like you could explode with joy. Most of all, give people grace because they don’t know or understand what it took for you to get where you are. What you overcame to be the woman you have become. Be proud of those milestones because even though they may seem small to someone else, they are HUGE to you and that is what matters. Celebrate each baby step that you take to accomplish your dreams and scream and pray to God when things get hard because he is always listening and loves you dearly.

When I was your age having suffered the unspeakable, not knowing that I would suffer so much more before it was all over, I wish I had someone that had gone through it to tell me it would all be ok. So that is what I want to assure you of now. No one not now, not ever has a hold on what you can be and accomplish. Your past does not define your future. Your circumstances are not who you are. You are a child of God who is loved and was created with purpose. You may feel like you are broken but you are not, you are incredible and have the tools to do amazing things in your life.

I hope today you know you are loved and prayed over because you are. The Lord has a great purpose for you in life and even though it doesn’t feel like it right now He chose you for a greater purpose. I know how you feel and I’m here to tell you that I’m fighting for you, praying for you, and encouraging you. Soon, all of Georgia will be too!

Darling, you are so much more loved than you can ever imagine. Don’t be discouraged or give up hope for these trials will give you strength.

“For you are God’s masterpiece.” (Ephesians 2:10)

“Blessed is she who has believed the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:45)

Plan B Deception

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 02:09:00 GMT

The lady in the Plan B video said, “In a colorful room, people are working hard to bust the myths surrounding emergency contraception. A spokesperson says that some may believe that bathing in vinegar, crossing your fingers or wishing on a dandelion may help to prevent pregnancy, but none of those myths are actually true. Instead, she recommends taking Plan B One-Step because it helps prevent pregnancy within 72 hours of sex or birth control failure.”

ACOG, the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “changed” the definition of when life began for the purpose of accepting and marketing a hybrid which is a potetial abortion pill and birth control pill such as Plan B-“birth control.” Plan B can potentially be both a “birth control” and abortion pill but it is harmful to women and children to market the Plan B pill as a “birth control” pill when medicine knows that it can potentially also can take the life a child.

This site states, “Plan B One-Step works primarily by:

Preventing ovulation
It may also work by:

Possibly preventing fertilization by altering tubal transport of sperm and/or egg
Altering the endometrium which may inhibit implantation”

The issue is that ACOG does not consider the preborn a patient or one that ACOG should have any responsibility to care for and what I mean is that ACOG would never allow a woman to take a birth control pill if she would die from it yet ACOG allows a child to be potentially miscarried, aka allowing a child’s life to be at risk of loss, because ACOG does not consider the child in the womb to be a patient. Every birth control pill has the risk of causing a miscarriage as a child may have potentially been made and then their life would have been killed.

By Rachel Guy, Director of Medical Ethics Advocacy

Abortion Activists’ New Plot To Target Pro-Lifers In Georgia

Fri, 23 Aug 2019 17:36:00 GMT

Georgia Life Alliance recently uncovered a secret plot by NARAL, a national group fighting to legalize abortion until and after birth, to target pro-life lawmakers around Georgia with “gotcha questions” that they can capture on camera and use out of context to attack them with later.

When we uncovered their plot, we exposed them to our pro-life lawmakers in the State House and Senate to warn them to be prepared to be attacked in their districts this summer. But, since their strategy could easily turn against pro-lifers in the community as well, we’ve compiled their own sample questions and laid out answers to study and be prepared for pro-abortion attacks this summer.

Question 1: Do you support criminalizing abortion in Georgia?
Abortion is already criminalized in Georgia after 20 weeks, with certain exceptions. The Heartbeat Bill would simply move the marker for a criminal abortion from 20 weeks (when a baby in the womb can feel the pain of being killed during an abortion) back to when a baby’s heart begins to beat and can be detected – typically around 6 weeks.

Question 2: Personhood: Should a fetus have the same legal protections as any human?
Yes, that’s current Georgia law for children over 20 weeks old in the womb who are targeted for abortion or for any child who is killed by a negligent third party under our feticide law. The Heartbeat Bill simply moves the marker for those legal protections back to when a baby’s heartbeat is detected (typically around 6 weeks) for babies targeted for abortions, adds additional protections under the feticide law, and adds those children into the state tax law and child support law.

Question 3: Does [HB] 481 include any safeguards against pregnant people who experience a miscarriage from being investigated?
Women experiencing the tragedy of miscarriage and the doctors providing them care are already protected under Georgia law and in previous court rulings from investigation after miscarriage. The Heartbeat Bill adds additional protections for them and does not reduce current law.

Question 4: How do you think this bill affects maternal mortality?
According to academic studies, abortion is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide due to the number 1 complication of abortions after 6-8 weeks being obstetric hemorrhaging. Because 5 of the 10 worse Georgia counties for maternal mortality (Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Clayton, and Cobb) account for 36% of maternal mortality cases as well as 56% of all abortions statewide, we can reasonably assume that the Heartbeat Bill will help decrease maternal deaths and injuries so long as abortion doctors do not commit abortions illegally despite the law.

Nina Blackwelder Certified Pro-Life by Georgia Life Alliance

Wed, 07 Aug 2019 18:59:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2019
Contact: Joshua Edmonds
Joshua@georgialifealliance.com
678-597-8055

ATLANTA – Georgia Life Alliance Committee (GLAC) has issued an official pro-life certification to Nina Blackwelder ahead of the critical September 3rd Special Election.

“With the unprecedented pro-life legislative victories this year, it’s more critical now than ever that we have unapologetically pro-life leaders serving in the legislature who support the Heartbeat Bill (HB481) and other life-affirming efforts,” said GLA Executive Director Joshua Edmonds. “That’s why I’m proud to announce that Nina Blackwelder has been officially certified as a pro-life candidate by GLAC.”

“I call on every pro-life Georgian in House District 71 to support pro-life candidates in the September 3rd Special Election,” said Edmonds. “With lawsuits from Planned Parenthood and the ACLU fighting to legalize abortion until and after birth, it’s your responsibility to hold the line in your community against their radical agenda.”

Nina’s individual candidate questionnaire can be found here .

Georgia Life Alliance is the leading right to life organization in Georgia and the official affiliate of National Right to Life.

###

Philip Singleton Certified Pro-Life by Georgia Life Alliance

Wed, 07 Aug 2019 18:59:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2019
Contact: Joshua Edmonds
Joshua@georgialifealliance.com
678-597-8055

ATLANTA – Georgia Life Alliance Committee (GLAC) has issued an official pro-life certification to Philip Singleton ahead of the critical September 3rd Special Election.

“With the unprecedented pro-life legislative victories this year, it’s more critical now than ever that we have unapologetically pro-life leaders serving in the legislature who support the Heartbeat Bill (HB481) and other life-affirming efforts,” said GLA Executive Director Joshua Edmonds. “That’s why I’m proud to announce that Philip Singleton has been officially certified as a pro-life candidate by GLAC.”

Philip’s individual candidate questionnaire can be found here .

Georgia Life Alliance is the leading right to life organization in Georgia and the official affiliate of National Right to Life.

###

Marcy Sakrison Certified Pro-Life by Georgia Life Alliance

Wed, 07 Aug 2019 18:59:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2019
Contact: Joshua Edmonds
Joshua@georgialifealliance.com
678-597-8055

ATLANTA – Georgia Life Alliance Committee (GLAC) has issued an official pro-life certification to Marcy Sakrison ahead of the critical September 3rd Special Election.

“With the unprecedented pro-life legislative victories this year, it’s more critical now than ever that we have unapologetically pro-life leaders serving in the legislature who support the Heartbeat Bill (HB481) and other life-affirming efforts,” said GLA Executive Director Joshua Edmonds. “That’s why I’m proud to announce that Marcy Sakrison has been officially certified as a pro-life candidate by GLAC.”

Marcy’s individual candidate questionnaire can be found here .

Georgia Life Alliance is the leading right to life organization in Georgia and the official affiliate of National Right to Life.

###

A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing: ACOG’s Not-So-Hidden Agenda

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 13:39:00 GMT

Few in Christendom would disagree with the reality that abortion is the single biggest human rights’ violation of our generation. The dehumanizing and devaluing of an entire people group, the preborn children, merely because of their location has cost millions of lives since the passing of Roe v Wade in 1973. In a world that has rejected God that is not altogether surprising but what is surprising is that this Holocaust is taking place in an area that was once committed to doing no harm and represents themselves as the beacon of care and that is the medical field and more specifically obstetrics.

What a curious thing that an area of medicine and not just any area of medicine but the very field that is entrusted with the care of a mother and her child is the contributing to, promoting and supporting this genocide of an entire people group-the preborn. Victor Frankel, during WWII, had a famous quote where he said, “The ovens of Auschwitz, were prepared in the classrooms of Germany.”(1) This terrifying truth is exactly the reality today that the deaths of millions of preborn children, were prepared in the classrooms of college classes that are supposed to teach on medicine, the helping and healing of others but rather teach on the systematic desensitizing of how medical students would see the child in utero.

The field of obstetrics has dehumanized the preborn child in such a manner that ob/gyns can perform an abortion and actually think they are doing some sort of good for society. How can this field that is supposed to be dedicated to the care of a mother and her child have fallen so far? It goes back to Victor Frankel’s famous quote and there is an organization that has been all too happy to make sure that those very doctors who were educated in the area of gynecology and obstetrics become removed from seeing the preborn child as a distinct individual made uniquely in God’s Image with a purpose and just as much value as the human being outside of the womb.
This organization is called ACOG. The wolf in sheep’s clothing. ACOG is the acronym for The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. This is a 501(c)(3) organization. It is the nation’s leading group of physicians providing healthcare for women. It has about 58,000 members and they are said to strongly advocate for quality healthcare for women, promote patient education, bring awareness to issues facing women and supposedly maintain the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education. They have a 501(c)(6) companion organization as well.

Most would hear the name ACOG and the description of all that they do for “women’s healthcare” and applaud this organization for having the backs of women, but this organization has a not so hidden agenda that does not care for the health and rights of all women as the precious females ( and males) in utero are not included in this quality of care but rather are targets of ACOG’s agenda to promote and encourage performing abortions as well as promoting fetal tissue experimentation. How can an educated, developed society offer its youngest members to the fires of Molech and what makes this so sinister is the fact that this education of dehumanizing and desensitizing is taking place in the classrooms that are supposed to be places of learning to do no harm, use medicine to heal and help and champion life but that is not what is happening.

ACOG must be exposed. At its foundation, ACOG is all about promoting abortion. ACOG believes that the harm of a preborn child is more important than protecting them. One of the founding fellows of ACOG, joining in 1952, Dr Jane Hodgson was a longtime abortion rights advocate. Right here we see the very foundation of ACOG was founded in a culture of death cleverly disguised as women’s healthcare. Dr. Hodgson was such a strong supporter of abortion that she received the Planned Parenthood Federation of America Margaret Sanger Award in 1995. Margaret Sanger who founded Planned Parenthood was a eugenist and this award is founded in applauding the recipient’s work in abortion advocating which of course is in essence an award applauding the furthering of the culture of death and marginalizing an entire people group’s lives.

ACOG is founded in promoting abortion and they are bold in their evil views toward dehumanizing the preborn children as they promote that the sick in utero and those preborn babies seen as “inconvenient” be aborted. ACOG has openly said they believe that “personhood” for the preborn child takes away from abortion rights so like Planned Parenthood they have an abortion agenda but again the terrifying thing is that ACOG is involved with the medical field, the very field that is to be committed to helping and healing, not destroying lives. ACOG recommends integrating first trimester abortion training into family medicine training. How ironic, yet again, that “family” medicine would be an area that ACOG would want to see one of the family members destroyed merely because of the geographical location of the child. It would be criminal to suggest that a child outside of the womb be destroyed due to health status or no longer wanted, yet ACOG has open season on the preborn child’s destruction.

Let’s take the first point “Implement the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirement that all obstetrics and gynecology residency programs provide training in comprehensive women’s reproductive health care, including opt-out abortion training, in which training is routinely integrated into residency but residents with religious or moral objections can opt out of participation.” This is not a mere ‘opt-out’ as stated by ACOG but a “requirement that all obstetrics and gynecology residency programs provide training in comprehensive women’s reproductive health care, including opt-out abortion training, in which training is routinely integrated into residency but residents with religious or moral objections can opt out of participation.”(1) And yet digging deeper, if medicine desires to retrain people’s views or more so sink deep into people’s minds that abortion is a mere “blob of tissue” being removed or “a woman’s right to do what she wants with her body” then is this statement of ‘opt-out’ even considered an option? If ACOG requires medicine to harm a woman by destroying her child then how can ACOG say they truly care for women?
(ACOG. “Abortion Training and Education” PMLA no. 612, November 2014 https://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Health-Care-for-Underserved-Women/Abortion-Training-and-Education .) They require OBs to train in abortion.

Another statement which is a contradiction if ACOG is going to ‘opt-out’ on abortion training yet say that they will “Include abortion education in the curricula of all medical schools” then this is not a “your view vs my view” but a forced agenda from ACOG misrepresenting OB/GYN care or frankly choosing to redefine what true woman and child healthcare looks like. If medicine desires to “include abortion education in curricula of all medical schools” then how can an OB/GYN learn proper medical care for a preborn child who is in the womb if one continuously says to abort this child? How then can a medical doctor in training learn that life is to be taken literally if they are being educated through a lens of ‘choice’ rather than being educated through a lens of care.

In an article from ACOG in March of 2016, they state, “However, current attacks on fetal tissue research, part of an effort to oppose and disparage safe, legal abortion in this country, represent a significant setback in our Nation’s approach to science and our patients’ hope for future breakthroughs.”(1) This sounds like something out of a Planned Parenthood newsletter not from an organization that is a group of medical people supposedly dedicated to the care of women and families. Experimenting on fetal tissue also sounds like something out of the experiments done during Nazi Germany another time in our history where an entire people group was dehumanized and a society was brainwashed willingly into marginalizing the lives of millions to the point of sitting by silently as that people group was exterminated.
(DeFrancesco, Mark S., MD, MBA, President of the ACOG American College of OBGYN. “ACOG statement of fetal tissue research.” PMLA no. 1 https://www.acog.org/About-ACOG/News-Room/Statements/2016/ACOG-Statement-In-Support-of-Fetal-Tissue-Research )

ACOG also promotes and advocates for fetal tissue research. In March of 2016, they sent out a letter saying, “As leading academic medical centers and scientific and medical societies who conduct and support life-saving research, we have grave concerns about legislative proposals to restrict the use of fetal tissue for research.”(1) This is directly linked with abortion. They say in one breath they want to do fetal tissue research to help others and yet that very help comes only through the death of an innocent victim – the preborn child.
Associate of American Medical Colleges. “AAMC.” PMLA no. 1 March 18, 2016 https://www.aamc.org/download/444248/data/statementinsupportoffetaltissueresearch.pdf .

In November of 2014, in ACOG’s Committee Opinion, they say, “Safe, legal abortion is a necessary component of women’s health care. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports the availability of high- quality reproductive health services for all women and is committed to improving access to abortion. Access to abortion is threatened by state and federal government restrictions, limitations on public funding for abortion services and training, stigma, violence against abortion providers and death of abortion providers.”(1) This organization is not committed to the whole health care of a women when they point blank are advocating for the death of the preborn child. This poses mammoth ethical issues when medical students are being desensitized to the life of the preborn child and educated that abortion is a form of women’s healthcare.
ACOG. “Abortion Training and Education” PMLA no. 612, November 2014 https://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Health-Care-for-Underserved-Women/Abortion-Training-and-Education . They believe that abortion is “women’s healthcare.”
Death of a people group should never be viewed as any form of health care, but when an organization like ACOG is endorsing and encouraging education on abortions then young medical students are being slowly lulled into believing that taking a life is actually a form of health care. How can that ever be ethical.

Caring for women’s health will never mean empowering them to choose death and caring for women’s health will never mean educating future doctors that ending an innocent human being’s life is ever the answer. And what a brutal death it is for that preborn child no matter at what gestational age. And ACOG does not even present the accurate information on fetal pain as they wrongly educate and completely dismiss the horrific pain that preborn child feels during the abortion procedure. A preborn child DOES experience pain and ACOG completely denies this truth.

ACOG said, “A human fetus does not have the capacity to experience pain until after viability. Rigorous scientific studies have found that the connections necessary to transmit signals from peripheral sensory nerves to the brain, as well as the brain structures necessary to process those signals, do not develop until at least 24 weeks gestation…”(1) This is simple scientifically not accurate hence medical students are desensitized to the horrific pain the preborn child experiences during an abortion-starved to death in the first trimester and systematically dismembered in the second and third trimesters. Is this the action of a civilized society and furthermore is this medical care? Dismembering human beings? According to ACOG this is in fact medical care of the highest order and a generation of numb, callous ob/gyns is being cultivated to see abortion as medical care. Hitler was famous for saying if you tell a lie long enough, that people will believe it and that is what is happening through the lies of ACOG.
American College Obstetricians and Gynecology.“Facts Are Important Fetal Pain” PMLA no. 1 (July 2013) https://www.acog.org/-/m edia/Departments/Government-Re lations-and-Outreach/FactAreIm portFetalPain.pdf . They deny scientific proof that the babies in the womb feel pain.

The medical field along with ACOG is to blame for making murder legal. When an organization like ACOG that is held in high esteem that has the power to influence the medical field uses the vocabulary of medical care to describe the destruction of a people group, we have used semantics yet again to lull people into thinking that that which is outrageous is normal, good and right and that is what ACOG has been doing. Slavery, Jewish genocide, and more were all founded in a dehumanizing a vocabulary used to describe these people groups.

In Brennan’s “Dehumanizing the Vulnerable” he says so powerfully, “The power of language to color one’s view of reality is profound. In many instances, the most significant factor determining how an object will be perceived is not the nature of the object itself, but the words employed to characterize it.”( 1 ) Brennan hits the nail on the head. When an organization like ACOG champions abortion and uses the vocabulary of healthcare, not only does an entire population drink the koolaid but an entire generation of medical doctors embrace and act on that thinking and can with no moral convictions and no conviction of conscience tear a child limb from limb and stop that beating heart all in the name of women’s health care. How far have we fallen.

Doctors know that life begins at fertilization. The issue is not all about when does life begin, but will society continue to reject the evidence it has and counter argue the truth about life for a true undercut of the value of life by making up some seemingly “noble reason” to abort. If doctors advocate for abortion and society looks to doctors to have the answers then it is truly sheep being led to the slaughter.

ACOG is unethical in every manner suggesting abortion as health care and advocating for abortion training. Abortion training is unnecessary for reasons followed. Abortion is not medical care. Abortion is a procedure to take a living child out of his home. Obstetrics is supposed to care for the child and mother regardless of what another may say. This child is as much in a physician’s care as the mom. Treating an unborn with such disrespect as killing them deserves such punishment, by being racist towards someone giving or not giving certain care based on sickness. To deny a child the right to continue life because of sickness is racist and discriminatory. Because a each patient is equal they deserve equal rights to care. HIPPA-the first oath states, “first, do not harm” this harm does not specify to whom to or not to not harm, but gives a general protection to all patients. Now if OB considers can unborn their patient, then how can harm be apart of this “care” from a medical standpoint and from HIPPAs requirements. If an unborn is a child/person which has already been established then how can a physician deny care to an unborn under HIPPA as consider reconcilable as ‘healthcare’ when one is breaching the oath of care and scaring a child. No person’s “healthcare” can ever be true care if a physician takes harm as the definition for a situation medically. Take a preborn child who supposedly has Trisomy 13, a physician wants to give “healthcare” advice by suggesting abortion. Now if this child is truly the doctor’s patient how can this medical person have the moral rights to suggest that this child is degraded to the degree of death?

I was one of those children. 19 years ago, my parents were completely shocked when they were in for a rude awakening that the medical field sometimes uses their power to advocate for death.

Three doctors insisted that my parents abort me and the doctors’ rationale for insisting my life be ended was based on that they “assumed” I had Trisomy 18 so these doctors immediately devalued my very life, yes doctors, and relegated my life to being disposable and not worth fighting for and gave me a death sentence all because my only crime was being sick in utero. My parents to this day were and are dumbfounded that some in the medical community deem a child’s life in utero as disposable just because that child is sick. Thank heavens I have parents who allow God and the intrinsic value of all life to guide their decisions, unlike the medical field, and they fought for me and 19 years later here I am advocating for the value of ALL life and praying the medical field realizes they are not God and it is completely unethical, even without factoring in Biblical truth, to devalue ANY human life and to end human life in the name of medical care.

In the book, Dehumanizing the Vulnerable by Brennan, he says, “Today, scores of human lives before birth are proficiently snuffed out in a display of “raw medical power” in radical opposition to the physician-as-healer principle embodied in the doctor’s most basic code of ethics, the Hippocratic Oath, an oath containing explicit condemnations of killing, both inside and outside the womb. The uterus-once a private sanctuary suited for growth and development-has been transformed into a deadly environment polluted by the invasion of destructive instruments and poisonous substances. The bodies of the undesired unborn are torn apart, dismembered, obliterated, poisoned, or subjected to lethal injections. Their remains are exploited for research, harvested as tissue and organ trans-plants, and either incinerated or dumped into the sewage and waste disposal systems.”(page 27)

You can see how biased they are. They have abortion as a foundation goal for all eternity for ACOG but we will change that through exposing their deeds and praying for their hearts. If I could share this with the medical field what they are buying into and what foundation they are being taught I believe that maybe people would choose. I plead with you to hear and take in everything that I am sharing with you about what they say.

ACOG denies personhood to praise child killing. ACOG a systematic plot to take life. “Personhood” Measures: Impact on Contraception So-called “personhood” measures would establish fertilized eggs as separate legal persons under the laws of a state. These measures have qualified for the ballot in only two states—Colorado in 2008 and 2010, and Mississippi in 2011. All three failed by wide margins. These measures erode women’s right to privacy and bodily integrity, deny women access to the full spectrum of preventive health care including contraception, and undermine the doctor-patient relationship. As acknowledged by proponents, these measures would not only outlaw abortion but also embryonic stem cell research, infertility treatments, cancer treatments, and popular methods of birth control.”(2)
American College Obstetricians and Gynecology. “Talking Points on State Legislation “Personhood” Measures: Impact on Contraception.” PMLA no. 1 (February 10, 2012): https://www.acog.org/-/media/Departments/LARC/TalkingPointsonPersonhoodMeasures.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20171114T0030062242 . They deny personhood and share why personhood is a threat.

Abortion, which is what ACOG advocates, takes away being able to focus on true healthcare which is helping the sick by helping these children in utero survive and by fighting for their lives which is what the medical field is called to do, no matter the outcome.

Please listen to this plea as the words written in this paper that are mine speak from a heart of sadness and wanting to emphasize how wrong it is for ACOG to use their power to advocate and educating for the taking of innocent lives. Please take these in as the painful truths about ACOG’s bias and protocol about who they really are. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing. My heart is to see the medical field’s foundation transformed to God’s glory. May the unethical practices of ACOG be stopped.

American College Obstetricians and Gynecology. “ACOG today news and information important to you and your practice” PMLA no. 4 January 2007https:// www.acog.org/-/media/ACOG-Today/acogToday0107.pd f?mc=1&ts=20171105T2112476304 .

ACOG. “Abortion Training and Education” PMLA no. 612, November 2014 https://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Healt h-Care-for-Underserved-Women/Abortion-Training-and-Education .

Bibliography

Brennan, William, Dehumanizing the Vulnerable When Mind Games Take Lives, 1995), 27.

Conot, Robert E. Justice at Nuremberg. New York: Harper and Row, Publishers. “The Ovens at Auschwitz.” PML no. 1 http://remember.org/fact-fin -ovens.html .

DeFrancesco, Mark S., MD, MBA, President of the ACOG American College of OBGYN. “ACOG statement of fetal tissue research.” PMLA no. 1 https://www.acog.org/About-A COG/News-Room/Statements/2016/ ACOG-Statement-In-Support-of-Fetal-Tissue-Research .

1. Ensor, John, “Answering The Call”

Dr. Condic Maureen L.. “When Does Human Life Begin?” PMLA no. 1 (October 2008)
https://bdfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/wi_whitepaper_ life_print.pdf .

American College Obstetricians and Gynecology.“Facts Are Important Fetal Pain” PMLA no. 1 (July 2013) https://www.acog.org/-/m edia/Departments/Government-Re lations-and-Outreach/FactAreIm portFetalPain.pdf .

American College Obstetricians and Gynecology. “Increasing Access to Abortion.” PMLA no. 1,3 November 2014 https://www.acog.org/-/me dia/Committee-Opinions/Committ ee-on-Health-Care-for-Underser ved-Women/co613.pdf?dmc=1&ts=2 0171114T1158133049 .

American College Obstetricians and Gynecology. “Talking Points on State Legislation “Personhood” Measures: Impact on Contraception.” PMLA no. 1 February 10, 2012https:// www.acog.org/-/med ia/Departments/LARC/TalkingPoi ntsonPersonhoodMeasures.pdf?dm c=1&ts=20171114T0030062242

Associate of American Medical Colleges. “AAMC.” PMLA no. 1 March 18 , 2016 https://www.aamc.org/down load/444248/data/statementinsu pportoffetaltissueresearch.pdf .

Lawrence, Hal C., MD, and Ness, Debra L., MS. “Planned Parenthood Provides Essential Services for Women’s Health.” PMLA no. 1 https://www.acog.org/-/media /Departments/Government-Relati ons-and-Outreach/2017-CLC/2017 -CLC-Recommended-Readings/Ask- 2-Health-Care-Reform/2017Annal sPP.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20171114T0029 006772 .

BREAKING: Planned Parenthood & ACLU Sue to Stop Heartbeat Bill

Fri, 28 Jun 2019 17:34:00 GMT

In keeping with their radical crusade to defend abortion up until and after birth , Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and their surrogates have officially sued Governor Kemp and the state of Georgia to overturn our Heartbeat Bill .

We are not surprised, we are ready, and we will fight .

Georgia’s LIFE Act is different from every other Heartbeat Bill in the nation, because we recognize that the child in the womb is a person and should be protected by the 14th Amendment. This concept terrifies the abortion industry, because it would end abortion everywhere for any reason. That’s why they will stop at nothing to defeat Georgia’s law.

This lawsuit is an attack on human rights and an egregious attempt to deny personhood to a class of humans.

But, despite their barbaric targeting and killing people based on their race, gender, and age, the abortion industry will be on the wrong side of history and they will lose.

Governor Kemp and Georgia Life Alliance are committed to fighting for the most pro-life law in the nation, but we need your help.

We need you to pray for Governor Kemp, our legal team, and support our efforts to defend the Heartbeat Bill .

Forward this email to your pro-life friends and family to start a prayer chain and chip in $5, $25, $50, or $100 before our quarterly deadline to help us lead the fight .

Don’t let Planned Parenthood wage war against our children without opposition! As the only Georgia-based right to life group supporting Governor Kemp and the Heartbeat Bill, we need your support now more than ever .

Together for life,

Joshua Edmonds
Executive Director

CANCELLED: Artist Censored for Pro-Life Beliefs

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 21:36:00 GMT

My name is Brett Lempe, and I am pro-life. I am also an artist based in Centennial, Colorado. Recently I had a venue owner cancel an art show that we had been planning for months because of my beliefs around abortion. Not because the artwork that I was planning on displaying or the show itself was explicitly pro-life, but because I am a pro-life person . I am not as disappointed because I lost the show, I’m heartbroken because of the reason that it was lost. I have been asked to write an article explaining the situation and share some thoughts on it.

About 6 months ago, I saw a post my friend and venue owner had created on Facebook calling for artists to apply to be a part of month-long solo art shows that this venue would be hosting for local Denver artists. Having had a previous personal connection with the owner, and also desiring to get to display my work whenever I can, I immediately jumped on the opportunity.

We had an appointment and agreed on a the details of the show. He encouraged me to be as creative as possible, and I then began to work on the show almost immediately. A month and a half before the show was set to be on display, I receive the following text:

“Hey there, I wanted to start by saying I love you and I know you have been working hard on cranking out the paintings. I also wanted to say I respect your spiritual [path]

However we won’t be affiliated at all with a pro life message it is fundamentally against our beliefs and the goals of our community. That in mind we have to cancel the pending art show and opening.”

I was shocked, disappointed, yet proud all at the same time. I’m assuming he saw a few pro-life posts on my social media that then motivated him to cancel.

It is a shame that he never stopped to ask why I believe the way I do about the sanctity of life, or even try to have a dialogue. But, for the record, here is why I am pro-life:

I am pro-life because human life begins at conception . Biology is clear that, at conception, a unique organism comes into existence . Since this new life possesses human DNA and is the offspring of human parents, it can only legitimately be described as human.

Taking this life away, because the life is inconvenient to the parent(s), is wrong .

I’m not “forcing people to be pregnant” because I’m not forcing people to have sex.

And no, I’m not out on some crazy power trip attempting to control women. Any woman in my life would agree to that. I’m a gentleman. That’s why I believe we should protect vulnerable women and innocent children targeted by the abortion industry.

And no, it. is. not. your. body. Unless you want to claim that your body has two sets of DNA, two heads, two hearts, and two possibly different sets of reproductive organs. Which, you can go ahead and do that, but I still think taking human life away by force is wrong. Also, just because this life can only currently live inside your womb, doesn’t mean you should have the right to kill them.

Taking a human life away is, by definition, murder.

So because this is what I believe, the art show I had been planning for months has been cancelled.

If we take a brief glance at human history, we will witness many figures who were persecuted for standing for truth and love. Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, and Jesus Christ, to name a few. I’m not saying that the show getting cancelled was comparable to the discrimination that these figures faced. But my point is that these are great examples of how, when we stand for goodness and for life, we will suffer, we will be hurt in various ways, and we will be discriminated against. But that’s okay.

I am much more willing to suffer from persecution for standing for truth and love than to suffer from living a life based on lies for the sake of convenience. Having had this experience, I know now more that ever that, by standing to support life, I do not stand alone. I am extremely grateful for the support that I have gotten in response to this event, and now an explicitly pro-life art show based in Denver is already in the works!

-Brett

To follow Brett, support his art, and get more information about the pro-life art show coming to the Denver area, visit him on Facebook or at www.brettlempe.com.

How NASA’s Search For Aliens Is Exposing The Abortion Industry

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 17:15:00 GMT

After finishing meetings in DC recently, I stopped by NASA HQ before leaving town. I’m a bit of a space nerd and I couldn’t pass up the chance to walk inside. The gift shop was full of swag containing various depictions of Martians and references to extraterrestrial life. The nerd community is obsessed with aliens.

That’s every space nerd’s dream: to find alien life. Just look at War of the Worlds, Star Trek, Star Wars, Andromeda, Stargate, and a hundred other sci-fi icons; popular culture has been fixated on discovering alien life for more than a hundred years. And what’s better? NASA says they’ll find life outside of Earth within the next 10 years.

NASA’s search for alien life isn’t what you would expect, however. When you and I hear “alien life,” we think of little green men. NASA, on the other hand, simply means some trace of organic material outside of Earth. It doesn’t even have to be very big or complex – a simple microbe would do the trick.

This got me thinking.

If, during a science experiment on a deep space asteroid, NASA found a speck of organic goo, it would change the world. Scientists would praise the incredible discovery and begin deriving new theories for the origins of human life on Earth. My grandchildren would read in school about the greatest human accomplishment to date: discovering alien life in that glorious speck of goo.

And yet, despite science’s uncontested and irrefutable evidence that the human lifespan begins at the moment of conception , we hear a growing cry from the abortion industry that the child in the womb is merely a clump of cells. Just this year, we heard pro-abortion activists line up in testimony against Georgia’s Heartbeat Bill to argue that the rhythmic sound of a beating heart, complex genetic code, and intricate physiological structure of a child in the womb are somehow antonymous with life.

It makes little sense that the most technologically advanced species on the planet, which heralds itself for its vast knowledge and wisdom, can look to the stars for mere traces of alien life while it denies the existence of human life right under our noses.

But the abortion industry and the #fakenews media have worked hard together to ensure the science of life in the womb is obscured, misrepresented, and suppressed from the general public – just look at NPR’s recent memo in response to our extensive coverage of the Georgia Heartbeat Bill demanding their surrogates never say “heartbeat,” “unborn,” or “baby.”

That’s because if more people knew that from the very moment of conception, the tiny human embryo contains every strand of DNA to determine her hair color, eye color, and even her fingerprints, they might view that clump of cells more accurately. And if Planned Parenthood spent less time suppressing the knowledge that the baby’s heart is already beating by 6 weeks, that the brain and all major organs are developed by 10 weeks , and that she is already fully formed by 12 weeks, they would have to defend the horrific fact that nearly 90% of abortions take place by this time .

And by doing such, abortion advocates have created a discrepancy in our culture’s value system when it comes to human life in the womb. When a fetus is wanted, it’s a baby. When it’s inconvenient, it’s a clump of cells. When we detect a strand of extraterrestrial goo, it’s alien life. When we detect a beating heart, it’s a product of conception.

Thankfully, the wave of pro-life legislation sweeping our nation this year indicates that the abortion industry’s misinformation and deliberate suppression of science is finally failing. A majority of Americans are putting two and two together, science is winning, and we are once again viewing the precious child in the womb is indeed a life worth protecting.

For the first time, we are realizing that if we were to conquer every corner of the solar system yet deny the personhood to our most vulnerable members of our species, we’ll merely become spacefaring barbarians.

It is increasingly clear that Americans now recognize the most monumental life that could be discovered is not the search for speck, but the precious child sheltered in her mother’s womb awaiting her turn to look to the stars with wonder.

Arguments Against The Heartbeat Bill Keep Falling Flat

Wed, 01 May 2019 19:35:00 GMT

The Red & Black recently published an opinion piece lamenting how Georgia’s LIFE Act “shows a disturbing regression of women’s rights .”

The author lays out several arguments against our Heartbeat Bill that I have heard around the Capitol and regularly in the media, so I wanted to take a moment to explore these arguments a little more in depth.

Toddler Trouble

The author says that it is unfair to limit abortion to 6 weeks and reduce the time in which a mother has to consider ending her child’s life.

While the author omits that the 6-week old baby has a heartbeat, lungs, nose, and complex formations of the brain, her underlying argument is that the child’s right to life does not overcome the mother’s right to preference. But why? A matter of dependence?

The baby in the womb is undoubtedly physically dependent upon her mother. And so is the newborn, the infant, and the toddler. But, I hope, the author is not arguing in favor of a mother’s right to end the life of her toddler.

Or, perhaps, it is a matter of biological development, and the author is opposed to babies with beating hearts having a right to life. If that is the case, which developmental milestone should protect a child from being killed? When the child obtains higher brain function and has an awareness of self? But, that doesn’t happen until 24 months. And, again, I hope, the author is not arguing against a toddler’s right to life.

I hope.

Majority Rule

Another problem the author lists with the bill is that it was passed by a legislature that is comprised mostly by “old white men” who are “governing a woman’s body.”

I can see how this would be frustrating. In the interest of ensuring that old white men don’t overstep their bounds by governing other demographic groups they do not belong to, I presume that the author is also in opposition to:

I’ll await the author’s opinion piece regarding these additional injustices perpetrated by old white men.

Constitution Confusion

The author states that “a woman’s right to her body is a constitutional right.” The only issue with that blanket statement is that it is legally and scientifically inaccurate on all fronts.

Actual legal scholar John Hart Ely repudiated Roe in a 1973 article in the Yale Law Journal, stating that it “is not constitutional law and gives almost no sense of an obligation to try to be.” Also adding that abortion “…is not inferable from the language of the Constitution, the framers’ thinking respecting the specific problem in issue, any general value derivable from the provisions they included, or the nation’s governmental structure.”

In layman’s terms, Roe is merely an exercise in egregious judicial activism that lacks substantive justification anywhere in the Constitution to rest upon.

This is evidenced by Justice Blackmun’s (who ruled in favor of Roe) comments during oral arguments at the Supreme Court, when he stated, “If this suggestion of personhood is established, the appellant’s case, of course, collapses, for the fetus’ right to life would then be guaranteed specifically by the [Fourteenth] Amendment.”

Justice Blackmun is 100% correct. This is why The LIFE Act rests its entire foundation upon the premise that a child is a person, as demonstrated by labeling a child in the womb as a natural person, including them in our state population count, providing a tax exemption for them, and extending child support to cover them.

HB481 not only accommodates the logic of the Roe decision, it adheres to the very specific parameters it laid out for a state’s compelling interest to protect a child’s right to life to be found constitutionally valid.

Real Leadership

Georgia is leading the nation in recognizing and protecting the rights of the vulnerable and the oppressed. The only disturbing regression here is the lack of journalistic understanding by so many when covering the most pro-life and pro-woman piece of legislation ever passed in our state.

Because We Care About Women

Sat, 06 Apr 2019 19:29:00 GMT

For the last week, I’ve heard one recurring theme from pro-abortion protestors around the State Capitol: if pro-lifers support passing HB 481, the LIFE Act, to restrict abortions after 6 weeks, then it must mean that we don’t care about women.

Reality couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact is that Georgia is facing a maternal health crisis, and HB 481 takes significant strides to protect women and children across our state.

Here’s how.

In 2010, Amnesty International sounded the alarm and released a report showing Georgia was the worst state in the nation for maternal mortality. In the years that have followed, reports show that the number of maternal deaths in our state have doubled and that things only seem to be getting worse.

According to Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology , abortion is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality , resulting in 13% of all maternal deaths worldwide and leaving more than 5 million women with long-term health complications [ 1 ].

Additionally, a National Institute of Health publication in November of 2018 reported that approximately 20,000 women will experience complications from an abortion in the United States, with 40% of those complications resulting in an emergency department visits within six weeks of the initial abortion procedure – primarily for obstetric hemorrhaging. They also report that the frequency and severity of abortion complications in mothers grow dramatically as the gestational age of their babies increases , with up to 50% of 2nd-trimester abortions experiencing complications compared to less than 1% of abortions prior to 8 weeks [ 2 ].

Lastly, 5 of the 10 worst Georgia counties for maternal mortality (Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Clayton, and Cobb) accounted for 36% of maternal mortality as well as 56% of abortions statewide in 2016-2017 [ 3 ].

Based on this data, we can expect that approximately 550 women in Georgia will experience a complication from their abortion each year and are at critical risk of experiencing injuries that lead to obstetric hemorrhaging, which is the second-leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in Georgia [ 4 ].

Not only would HB 481 protect innocent children with beating hearts, it would restrict abortions to before 6 weeks and only be committed within adequately-equipped facilities – which will significantly reduce the number of pregnant mothers at risk of complication, injury, and death in Georgia.

With that in mind, we thank the Georgia House and Senate for standing together for healthy mothers and health babies by sending HB 481 to Governor Kemp’s desk to sign into law .

Because we care about women. J

The Litmus Test

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 03:21:00 GMT

By Kristen Leach

Occasionally when I’m looking through my Facebook feed, I will come across professionally produced videos where groups of children are asked their thoughts on a certain topic. The juvenile interviewees weigh in on a variety of current issues, ranging from unfamiliar foods to gay marriage to religion to friendship and acceptance. We consider the opinions of children a kind of litmus test to remind us of an untainted, pure, and honest perspective that has not yet been marred by the realities of life. Their candid responses challenge our callousness or our acceptance of the status quo, a lesser alternative to the optimistic, idealistic world that children envision.

If we believe children have the ability to remind us of forgotten truths or help us understand an issue for what it really is, then we ought to consider what children think about abortion.

I will never forget the night I learned what the word ‘abortion’ meant. One cold, dark night in the late 1990s, the abortion topic must have been in the news or brought up during church, but the meaning was unfamiliar to me. I was sitting at the kitchen table, 8 or 9 years old, and I asked my mom what abortion meant. She probably felt a rush of dread and sadness to have to explain this cruel act to her naïve daughter. She sat next to me at the table, and though I can’t remember her exact words, she told me that an abortion is when a mom decides she doesn’t want the baby she’s carrying and the baby is killed in a procedure. Immediately, I started crying, so upset by the thought that a mother could choose to kill the baby growing inside of her for whatever reason she deems necessary. As a young girl, I remember feeling hurt, so sad and scared. I had only ever known a very loving, maternal mother, and it scared me to think about the babies who might not have a mom like mine and might be aborted. I honestly cannot think about that moment without a pang of sadness in my chest even today. Looking past my tears out the kitchen window into the black night, my worldview was dimmed, and I lost a little bit of my childhood innocence that night as I realized a new darkness in the world.

Someone reading this might say that my mom didn’t tell me about how abortion really ‘helps’ women who maybe can’t take care of the baby or who aren’t in a good stage in life for a baby. I am confident that the ancillary commentary would have done nothing to mitigate the sting of pain I felt thinking about a baby dying by her mother’s hand. If children are taught that killing another person is wrong, then what kind of justification can there be to make killing an innocent baby right?

Perhaps this is the litmus test we need right now as we debate across the aisle about the sanctity of life or a women’s right to choose.

When They Say, You Say

Fri, 15 Mar 2019 14:12:00 GMT

While we were at the Capitol for the Senate Committee hearing on Georgia’s Heartbeat Bill, we noticed that many of the pro-abortion protestors were engaging pro-life supporters in conversation about not only the bill but also the life issue as a whole.

It was encouraging to see our pro-life coalition answering questions, navigating debates, and showing compassion and grace to those who genuinely wanted to understand.

With that in mind, we thought it would be a good time to share a resource created by National Right to Life called “ When They Say, You Say ” – which contains lots of helpful information and strategies to answer tough pro-abortion questions by providing informed, accurate pro-life answers.

Take a look at this great educational tool and be sure to share it with your friends!

Life At The Capitol- 2/23/19

Sat, 23 Feb 2019 10:00:00 GMT

GLA put together an aggressive legislative agenda for 2019, and our team has been working vigilantly to accomplish it and represent you, our Pregnancy Resource Centers, and the pro-life movement at the Capitol since Session convened.

We are officially halfway through the Session; so here’s a look at what we’ve been working on so far in 2019:

SB 104: Simon’s Law
Simon Crosier was born in 2010 with Trisomy 18. He lived for 3 beautiful months before he passed away. After his death, however, his parents were horrified to learn that a Do Not Resuscitate order had been placed in his file without their knowledge or consent. Simon’s Law ensures that a DNR is never issues for a minor patient without parental consent .

Senator Chuck Payne’s SB 104 was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee this week and we expect it will be heard again next week and passed out for a vote on the Senate floor. We have been working with Simon’s parents since 2016 to bring this legislation to Georgia and we are confident 2019 is the year it will be signed into law.

HB 345: Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act
In prisons and jails around America, pregnant inmates are handcuffed, shackled, and restrained both in prison and during labor/delivery. This practice is unethical and dangerous to mothers and babies. President Trump signed the First Step Act in December 2018, which prohibited the practice in federal prisons.

Representative Sharon Cooper’s HB 345 would prohibit shackling a pregnant inmate during her second and third trimester, during labor and delivery, or during her postpartum period in any penal institution in Georgia. This will allow women to protect themselves and their babies from accidents, ensure a safe and health delivery for mom and baby, and protect the dignity of moms everywhere.

HB 234: Anti-Human Trafficking Protective Response Act
The fight against human trafficking in Georgia evolves regularly as those who sell and buy children for sex or labor find new and more sinister ways to victimize the innocent. In response, Georgia is always working to tighten, adapt, and better enforce our anti-trafficking laws.

Representative Chuck Efstration’s HB 234 would equip law enforcement with additional tools to investigate and prosecute those who enable human trafficking as well as ensure that rescued child victims should receive trauma-informed treatment rather than being subjected to arrest and treatment as a criminal.

Positive Alternative for Parenting & Pregnancy Grant
In 2016 and 2017, GLA wrote and championed a new state grant that would allow for Pregnancy Resource Centers to obtain state grants to purchase new ultrasound machines, make facility repairs and improvements, etc. Many centers have taken advantage of this grant and lives have been saved thanks to it.

We are working to ensure Georgia’s 2019-2020 budget includes funding for this grant once again so that women in low income/rural communities, or who are facing complex situations surrounding their pregnancy, can receive the resources and support they need.

They’re Dead, Jim
With your support, we have fought and successfully defeated two dangerous pieces of legislation that would have turned the clock back on women’s rights in Georgia. The Equal Rights Amendment, which would have legalized abortion on demand, and HB188, which would have repealed the Positive Alternative Grant, are both dead in Georgia.

Coming Soon
We have two additional pieces of legislation that we are working on with several lawmakers, the Governor, and our nonprofit partners that would protect the sanctity of life in Georgia. Once we can share more information about them, you’ll hear more from us!

Thank You For Your Support
Without you, it would be impossible to achieve success at the Capitol. For those who have signed petitions, donated, shared, and called or emailed your elected officials, thank you. Please continue your support and be praying for us as we march toward the next milestone of the Legislative Session, Crossover Day on March 7th.

Together for life,

Joshua Edmonds
Executive Director

We Need To Talk About Stacey Abrams

Fri, 22 Feb 2019 15:29:00 GMT

Originally published for GLA by The Resurgent.

And everyone like her. Everyone on “the other side.” The “pro-aborts” and the “radicals.”

We need to have a conversation.

We made a post recently mentioning that we should watch Stacey Abrams’ Democrat response to President Trump’s State of the Union as it is highly suspected that she will be running for US Senate next year against Senator David Perdue.

Many folks responded by talking about voter dynamics in Georgia and her prospects in another statewide election here. But, some took the opportunity to make personal attacks on Stacey, calling her names, making unfounded accusations, insulting her physical appearance, and even making suggestively violent comments.

I hope you can see that this is obviously a problem.

Let me reiterate something that, perhaps forgotten in the fray of heated partisan politics over the last few years, we’ve lost sight of:

The pro-life position is a pro-woman position. It is pro-dignity, nonpartisan, non-sectarian, and hinges solely on the sanctity of all human life – for both the born and preborn, male and female, rich and poor, Republican and Democrat, healthy and disabled, religious and nonreligious, and regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity – because all life is made in the image of God.

That’s why we work to create positive alternatives for pregnancy and parenting, but we also oppose things like sex trafficking, advocate for dignity and accessibility for the differently-abled, ensure every child has a safe and loving home, AND oppose abortion.

This isn’t about conceding a single premise of our beliefs. We can and should disagree on politics, policy, and philosophy with those who don’t advocate for the sanctity of human life. This is simply about being consistent with how and where we apply those beliefs.

Pro-lifers passionately argue against exceptions when it comes to anti-abortion laws, but many seem perfectly content to carve out exceptions for valuing the dignity and lives of our political and ideological opponents. That has to end.

For the pro-life movement to truly be effective, let alone survive, we must recognize that if we are unable to love the abortion doctor, Democrat politician, and mother in crisis as much as we love babies in the womb, we’ve already lost.

It’s time for us to put aside political rhetoric that divides and unite behind the only thing that should matter as we advocate for the pro-life position: all life is precious.

Chuck Eaton Certified Pro-Life by Georgia Life Alliance

Thu, 29 Nov 2018 20:09:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2018
Contact: Joshua Edmonds
Joshua@georgialifealliance.com
678-597-8055

ATLANTA – Georgia Life Alliance Committee (GLAC) has issued an official pro-life certification to Public Service Commissioner Chuck Eaton ahead of the critical December 4 Runoff Election.

“I call on every pro-life Georgian to ensure they do their part to support pro-life candidates like Chuck Eaton in the December 4th election,” said Edmonds. “We can’t let radicals rise to power in Georgia. Every vote counts.”

Commissioner Eaton’s individual candidate questionnaire can be found here .

Georgia Life Alliance is the Georgia affiliate of National Right to Life.

###

New GLA Leadership Team

Wed, 28 Nov 2018 22:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 26, 2018
Contact: Joshua Edmonds
Joshua@georgialifealliance.com
678-597-8055

2019 is bringing new leadership around Georgia. As GLA-certified elected officials begin taking the helm in state government, Georgia Life Alliance will also be starting this next chapter in our state with a new leadership team, effective November 26 ^th .

“I am so honored to continue serving this incredible organization,” Said Matson. “And I know that we have a great team put together to bring the pro-life movement to new heights in 2019 by building on the foundation that was laid during my time as Executive Director.”

That new team also includes brand-new Executive Director, Joshua Edmonds.

“It’s beyond humbling to take on this new role at GLA. I’m standing on the shoulders of giants here,” Edmonds exclaimed. “I’ve already been speaking with pro-life leaders around the state and everyone is excited about the vision we have for 2019.”

“The Board has the utmost confidence in Joshua, and his experience in nonprofits, state agency, the legislature, elections, and lobbying for the pro-life community make him the perfect fit for GLA,” said Board Chairman Emily Matson.

“I have served in the pro-life community for a very long time, and I’ve never been as encouraged as I am today by the leadership of this movement and the direction we are headed,” Boyert said. “This is a unique moment in history.”

Rounding out the leadership team is Jay Williams, Founder of The Stoneridge Group, who will serve as a Senior Advisor to the Board.

“We have the perfect team in place,” Edmonds said. “2019 is going to be the biggest year yet for the pro-life movement.”

###

Running Toward Special Needs Adoption

Fri, 09 Mar 2018 04:06:00 GMT

We are blessed to be able to publish this piece written for us by Stephen Story – Guest Author, Adoptive Father, and Executive Director of Covenant Care Adoptions .

Creating a vibrant culture of life is about not only the unborn, but also the many other at-risk people in our community. Some of the most vulnerable in our midst are children with special needs who are waiting to be adopted.

Those of us who are Christians are uniquely equipped to engage in the high and noble calling of special needs adoption. We see the image of God in the face of every human being, particularly those with special needs. The Savior we follow and the gospel we affirm give us insight into how to welcome and care for those many would consider to be “the least of these.”

Counting the Cost

In the world of adoption, “special needs” often implies “a child for whom it may be difficult to find a family.” Physical or mental disability, a history of abuse or neglect, drug exposure, a complicated social history, unusual medical conditions—these are children who will need more attention, care, and patience than most. Sadly, many of them wait year after year for a family.

Those who follow Jesus should be at the forefront of efforts to care for, support, and ultimately adopt these children. But there are real reasons that not many people adopt a child with special needs. The Bible we read doesn’t gloss over difficult realities, and neither should we. It’s essential that we acknowledge what a challenging road this can be.

My family’s experience with special needs adoption revolves around the youngest of our three children. His story is one of premature birth, medical fragility, extended hospitalization, physical disability, developmental delay, and autism. We love our son deeply, and being his parents can be absolutely exhausting.

Deciding to adopt him was perhaps the most difficult decision my wife and I have been asked to make. Having said yes, we were catapulted into the immediate and total upheaval of nearly every aspect of our lives.

While the oft-cited statistics about special needs families and divorce may be somewhat exaggerated , there is no doubt that special needs parents experience incredible strain on their marriages and their lives in general.

Our family sticks out like a sore thumb everywhere we go. Our days are planned around a never-ending stream of therapy sessions and doctors appointments. Money is often tight. Exhaustion is the norm, especially for my wife. And these are not transient challenges; they may very well remain for a lifetime.

As Christians we have a faith and we follow a Savior that demands truth. And the truth is, special needs adoption can be really hard.

Embracing brokenness

My wife, in great insight and wisdom, once observed, “We are all broken. Some of us just wear our brokenness on the outside.”

That’s one way to explain what it can mean to have special needs. It’s a person who wears their brokenness on the outside for all to see, instead of just on the inside like most people. (Although many special needs are unseen, to be sure.) Brokenness is scary and we tend to run from it. But special needs adoption demands the exact opposite.

Most special needs parents did not choose to live with such brokenness. They gave birth with all the hopes and dreams and assumptions of a healthy, typical child who would lead a typical life filled with the joys and occasional challenges that come with typical childhood. But things played out differently, and now they live in a world they never expected.

But special needs adoption is different because it has the added element of choice . You don’t have to do this! To some degree, you know what you’re getting in to. You’re being asked to consciously opt in for suffering.

Adoption is a lifelong commitment, so it demands a full-hearted embrace of a child’s brokenness. The parent who thinks, “This kid is a mess right now, but I’ll adopt her and fix the problems and then everything will be normal,” is mistaken. Adoption means stepping into a broken situation and accepting the child’s brokenness as your own.

So why would you do it? Why would you choose to enter into a situation that is guaranteed to be challenging and that could well last for years or a lifetime?

This is the crux of special needs adoption, and it is the area where Christians are especially suited to lead. The good news of Jesus pulls us to say yes to hard situations we would normally not consider apart from the Holy Spirit living in us. The good news of Jesus calls us to run toward brokenness, not away from it. Remarkably, it’s in the midst of brokenness that we find Jesus.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:34-40 ESV)

When you give of yourself to care for one of “the least of these”—when you adopt one of the weakest among us—it is as if you are offering that care to Jesus himself. In ways that we don’t fully understand, Jesus particularly identifies with the weak, the vulnerable, and the undesirable. Jesus is watching when we care for these people. He promises to reward us in eternity.

Daydreaming about eternity

This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV)

We love our son exactly the way he is. In many respects we’ve come to love his special needs. His feeding tube, the ways he communicates non-verbally, his obsession with picking up and throwing shoes playfully—they are all part of what makes him so unique and loveable and such a treasured member of our family.

But our faith tells us that those things will one day fade away. Things are not the way they are supposed to be. One day, God will restore the world to what he originally created it to be: a flawless paradise of perfect communion with him. We rejoice in that hope and look forward to that day! We can’t imagine the joy of knowing our son in a new and perfect way when he is free of the brokenness that today marks so much of his life.

In “The Life We Never Expected,” special needs dad Andrew Wilson refers to this as “daydreaming about eternity” and writes movingly:

Like the spring thaw, turning sheets of ice into fresh running water, the power of God will extend to every square inch of this world and turn every curse into a blessing. The tube-fed will enjoy home cooking. The wheelchair-bound will go waterskiing and climb mountains. Those who cannot speak will sing and describe and discuss. There will be no need for words like “syndrome” or “degenerative” and no place for DNA testing, Epilim, Ritalin, hydrotherapy, or physical therapy. […] O autism, where is your victory, O cerebral palsy, where is your sting? (p. 135). ( Wilson, A. & R. (2016). The life we never expected: Hopeful reflections on the challenges of parenting children with special needs. Wheaton: Crossway.)

Special needs adoption is hard! But we who are Christians do it because it helps real people in need, because it honors our Savior, and because embracing brokenness is what Jesus has called us to do. We do it because we know it is “light, momentary affliction” that will one day fade away to be replaced by a perfected world with Jesus at the center.

We have been entrusted with this hope; let’s share it with the most marginalized and vulnerable in our community. Let’s run toward, not away from, adopting children with special needs!

For more information: The Georgia Department of Health and Human Services lists online profiles of children in foster care who are waiting to be adopted.

The author is the director of Covenant Care Adoptions , a domestic infant adoption agency that offers adoption as an alternative to abortion.

ACT NOW: Senate to Vote on Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act As

Fri, 26 Jan 2018 15:53:00 GMT

Majority Leader McConnell has indicated that on Monday, January 29, the Senate will vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S. 2311) sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham. While speaking at the March for Life in D.C. Friday January 26, 2018, urged the Senate to pass this legislation, promising to sign it and end the tortuous practice of killing children in the womb who are capable of feeling pain.

The language of the bill itself is worth reading. Especially the first 13 provisions which explain the evidence that shows us that by 20 weeks after conception, while still in the womb, a baby can feel pain. Our national partner, National Right to Life has a great page with more scientific evidence that shows the the unborn can feel pain at 20-weeks or even earlier . Educate yourself so that you can have loving conversations and change the hearts and minds of those who have been deceive by the abortion industry.

If passed, this would make it illegal for a doctor to perform abortions after 20-weeks.

We are grateful that both of our Senators from Georgia, Senator Isakson and Senator Perdue have sponsored this important legislation. Click on their names to contact them and thank them for supporting and prioritizing this legislation.

The operative language is identical to H.R. 36, approved by the House of Representatives on October 3, 2017.

It is going to be a very close vote and we do not know if we have the votes in the Senate for the bill to pass. Call your Senators and urge your friends to do the same. Remember, this is a national bill, so send this to you friends in other states as well. They can use this link to find contact information for their own U.S. Senators.

Spread the news. Make a difference.

Camila Zolfaghari

Executive Director

Double Your Impact – Year End Giving

Mon, 04 Dec 2017 16:50:00 GMT

Want to help create a pro-life culture and want to make sure your gift will have maximum impact? Now is the time to give. A generous individual has agreed to match any donations made to...

Give Pro-Life on Giving Tuesday

Mon, 27 Nov 2017 16:39:00 GMT

Giving Tuesday is November 28 ^th ! You can be part of saving vulnerable lives in Georgia TODAY.

We cannot create a pro-life culture on our own. WE NEED YOU!

We are so thankful for your support. Without your help we would not have been able to use legislation to create a grant program to give $3 million dollars to pro-life pregnancy centers in Georgia. We need your help to make sure that money is available again next year to save even more lives.

God has blessed our work and unborn children are safer today than they have been in years.

But there is so much work to be done, babies are still being killed, and we cannot save them without your help.

We need to raise $50,000 by the end of the year. Thankfully, a generous person has given us a $25,000 matching grant. That means we just need 250 people to give $100 or 100 people to give $250 and we will be able to continue saving lives, one valuable life at a time, as we create a culture that values each human life.

Talk about an amazing return on your investment. Your $100 will help ensure that $3 million dollars in grant money goes towards saving lives at pro-life pregnancy centers.

Georgia Life Alliance is the official affiliate of National Right to Life. We stand up for life in the legislature, the media, and election campaigns. We believe the right to life is the most important right and that it deserves our very best. That is why we are committed to acting with excellence, wisdom, and love, to create a culture where abortion is not only illegal, but also unthinkable.

Down Syndrome and the Value of Human Life

Wed, 23 Aug 2017 20:30:00 GMT

Have you ever seen the beauty of a family gifted a child with Down syndrome? They struggle with medical issues and exhaustion, but through that a beautiful flower of life blooms. As they accept the...

THREE MILLION DOLLAR GRANT PROGRAM FOR PREGNANCY AND PARENTING SUPPORT IN GEORGIA

Thu, 10 Aug 2017 12:34:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, August 9, 2017 Camila (Wright) Zolfaghari 678-597-8055Camila@georgialifealliance.com ATLANTA — Life Resources of Georgia, a nonprofit organization, has signed a contract to facilitate the Positive Alternative for Pregnancy and Parenting Program grant,...

Letter about Rep. Scalise and Matt Mika

Thu, 15 Jun 2017 18:44:00 GMT

We just received this letter from our friends at National Right to Life asking us to pray for Rep Scalise and Matt Mika, both of whom are still in critical condition. Pray for their healing, pray for peace and comfort for their families, and pray for a cultural change so that we no longer have these senseless attacks on sacred human lives.

Dear Friends,

I have no doubt you are praying for Rep. Steve Scalise and the others hurt in the shootings yesterday, but I want to encourage you to continue those prayers. We would ask that you also contact your friends, urging them to do the same.

Rep. Steve Scalise, along with two members of the Capitol police force– Crystal Griner and David Bailey, Zach Barth, a congressional aide to Texas Rep. Roger Marshall, and Matt Mika, lobbyist for Tyson Foods and a former congressional staffer, all required medical attention.

Thankfully, Griner, Bailey, and Barth are doing well; Barth was interviewed with his boss this morning from the Capitol. Rep. Scalise and Mika are both still listed in critical condition.

Mika’s family issued a statement this morning, in which they stated , “Matt was shot multiple times in his chest and arm and suffered massive trauma. He remains in critical condition in the ICU at George Washington University Hospital. He requires assistance to breathe and will need additional surgeries. Matt has been alert, conscious and communicating through notes.” In a statement last night, they asked for privacy.

Rep. Scalise had two surgeries yesterday and another one this morning. The hospital last evening released the following: “ Congressman Steve Scalise sustained a single rifle shot to the left hip. The bullet travelled across his pelvis, fracturing bones, injuring internal organs, and causing severe bleeding. He was transported in shock to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, a Level I Trauma Center. He underwent immediate surgery, and an additional procedure to stop bleeding. He has received multiple units of blood transfusion. His condition is critical, and he will require additional operations. We will provide periodic updates.”

Steve is not just a friend to the pro-life movement and strong ally of National Right to Life. He is one of us. Saving babies is at the top of his priority list. Sharon Rodi, our director from Louisiana, has known Steve his entire life and is extremely close to his family. He is one of the most dedicated and effective pro-life people in Congress. We pray for healing and hope to see him back in his role as Majority Whip soon.

Sincerely,

Carol Tobias, President

National Right to Life Committee

512 10th St NW

Washington, DC 20004

Special Elections Update

Wed, 03 May 2017 14:43:00 GMT

Two Georgia Life Alliance Committee Certified Pro-Life candidates are currently in runoff races in the north metro area of Atlanta.

Karen Handel is in the race to replace HHS Secretary Tom Price in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District and Handel’s election is set for June 20, 2017 . You can click here to view her questionnaire responses.

Dr. Kay Kirkpatrick is in the race to replace State Senator Judson Hill in the 32nd State Senate District. Dr. Kirkpatrick’s election is set for May 16, 2017 . Early voting starts on the 8th in Cobb and the 6th in Fulton. You can click here to view her questionnaire responses.

Many have noted that there is considerable confusion about the dates of these runoff races. The original elections were on the same date, but the runoff races, one federal and one state, are in different months.

All candidates for both of these races were sent information about how to become Pro-Life Certified at the same time. The information that was sent as well as blank questionnaires and applications can be viewed here .

Georgia Life Alliance Committee does not pick candidates to endorse, but rather focuses on certifying candidates pro-life based on their application, questionnaire, and record, and supplying voters with information about the candidates and the races.

Opportunity to Make a Difference NOW

Wed, 26 Apr 2017 15:24:00 GMT

2017 Candidate Questionnaire Responses

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 19:15:00 GMT

6th Congressional District
A SPECIAL ELECTION has been called to replace recently appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price. The election will take place on April 18th. We have received the following questionnaire responses. An asterisk (*) next to a candidate’s name indicates they are certified pro-life.

Bob Gray *
Keith Grawert *
Karen Handel *
William Llop *
Dan Moody *

32nd Georgia Senate District

A SPECIAL ELECTION has been called after the incumbent Senator resigned to run for congress. The election will take place on April 18th. We have received the following questionnaire responses. An asterisk (*) next to a candidate’s name indicates they are certified pro-life.

Kay Kirkpatrick *
Augustus Makris *

GLA’s Priority Legislation Succeeds In Legislature

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 19:02:00 GMT

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Dear Friend of Life, On the final day of the 2017 legislative session, Georgia Life Alliance’s priority legislation was successfully passed by the legislature and now goes to the Governor’s desk for signature. ...

Act Now To Support Our Top Legislative Priority

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 15:17:00 GMT

Georgia Life Alliance is at the capitol working to let your legislators know how important this bill, SB 193 the Positive Alternatives Grant Program Clean-Up, is on your behalf and on behalf of the pregnant women and vulnerable unborn children of Georgia. We need your voice to join us in speaking up for the children who will have a chance at a healthy childbirth, cannot speak for themselves on behalf of this bill.

CALL TO ACTION

So I ask you to contact your state representatives and ask them to support SB 193 and to encourage Chairwoman Sharon Cooper to give the bill a hearing in the Health and Human Services Committee. You can find your representatives by clicking here .

You can also call Chairwoman Cooper’s office directly at 404-656-5069 and ask her to put the bill on the Health and Human Services Committee hearing schedule. Chairwoman Cooper is a friend of life, so please be positive and encouraging, but let her know this bill is important.

Here are some talking points for when you call. Tell them:

If you have never called senator or representative, know that they work for you and they expect and appreciate your calls telling them what is important to you. You are the reason they are there and they need to hear from you.

In the coming months, I will be able to let you know much more about the exciting plans for GLA’s future, but for now, with one week remaining in the legislative session, I’m asking you to join me in keeping our eyes on the ball, and getting SB 193 Positive Alternatives Grant Program Clean-Up Bill passed.

We have many friends of life who serve in the senate and the house. They have very full plates right now, so help them see the importance of this bill that helps promote life; because without life, all of the other issues are meaningless.

Bill To Strengthen Positive Alternatives Grant Program Passes Senate

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 19:03:00 GMT

GLA’s priority legislation to strengthen the Positive Alternatives Grant Program that funds services for mothers and children, and promotes healthy childbirth, received a positive vote on the Senate Floor and will proceed to the House.

This bill will help pregnancy centers provide services and resources for women and children for up to a year after a child is born. We are excited about the passage of the bill and will now turn our attention to its passage in the House. There are twelve more days in this legislative session.

Please contact your representative and ask them to support SB 193

Special Election: Georgia’s 6th Congressional District to replace Tom Price set for April 18th

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 20:34:00 GMT

A SPECIAL ELECTION has been called to replace recently appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price. We congratulate Secretary Price on his appointment and call for candidates wishing to represent Georgia’s 6TH Congressional District to submit questionnaires and certification applications found at the links within this post.

This is a very important special election and the eyes of the country are on this district in the northern suburbs of Atlanta. Many are trying to distract voters from the important issues, like the right to life, by touting this election a referendum on President Trump. It is important to vote for a candidate that will stand up for the rights of the unborn and promote a culture that values human life.

Georgia does not hold primaries before its special elections. There are 11 Republicans, 5 Democrats, and 2 Independents running; and all 18 will be on the same ballot in April. The high number of Republican candidates could cause a split among Republican voters and allow a Democrat to potentially win, in a district that has consistently voted Republican for many years.

The top two candidates will almost certainly participate in a run-off election in June. Georgia Life Alliance Committee will be watching and monitoring things closely to keep everyone informed.

Answering God’s Call To Serve

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 22:10:00 GMT

Friends of Life,

It is with great excitement and awe of God’s sovereign plan that I have accepted role of serving Georgia Life Alliance as its new executive director.

When I first began discussing the possibility of stepping into this role, I told your incredible former executive director Emily Matson that if I accepted the position I would need four weeks to transition out of my old job as the Attorney General’s human trafficking prosecutor. I did not realize that several months later that would mean my first day on the job coincided with the oral arguments before the Georgia Supreme Court regarding the constitutionality of Georgia’s 20-week fetal pain bill. I ask you all to join me in prayer as we await the decision of the court. The attorneys are currently drafting supplemental briefs to answer a follow-up question from the court.

As I begin this new position, I want to tell you a little about myself and how God has brought me to this place. I am the oldest of 17 children; four birth, two adopted from Bethany Christian Services, four from the state, and seven from China (I hope that adds up to 17.) I was homeschooled and went to law school many years ago expecting that God’s plan for my life would include work serving the unborn; but as I followed Him through the years He first led me to work protecting another vulnerable group, Georgia’s human trafficking victims. I’m excited that I now have the opportunity, through GLA, to use all I’ve learned to now focus on protecting the lives of vulnerable unborn children.

I married in 2014 and we had a beautiful daughter in 2015. June 1, 2016, my husband was shot and killed by someone with no respect for the sanctity of human life. Suddenly, splashed across the headlines was Husband of Human Trafficking Prosecutor Shot and Killed. My job had nothing to do with his death, and best law enforcement can tell, it was a senseless random shooting; he was at the wrong light at the wrong time and someone with no respect for life took his life.

God has provided for us internally and externally, as we grieve his death, and I believe part of His provision has been giving me this opportunity to joint Georgia Life Alliance and work to cultivate a culture that values human life and to promote legislation that will protect the lives of the most vulnerable.

I hope to get to know so many of you. This first week has been both overwhelming and encouraging. I am so amazed at all God has accomplished through Georgia Life Alliance and I am humbled by the opportunity to stand on the shoulders of those who have been working tirelessly on behalf of the unborn and to let God work through me.

I appreciate this opportunity to serve and covet your prayers as we continue this work together.

Prayerfully,

Camila (Wright) Zolfaghari

Our New Executive Director

Wed, 15 Feb 2017 21:45:00 GMT

A Letter From Emily Matson Friends of Georgia Life Alliance, 2017 has started with a whirl! We want to begin the year with another grateful “thank you” for all you have done to join us...

Valentine’s Day is Pro-Life

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 03:43:00 GMT

Valentine’s Day is full of stories of chocolates, flowers, romantic love, and even broken hearts.

However, we believe Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate another important kind of love. Today, we invite you to join us in celebrating all parents who live unconditional love by embracing life.

We especially celebrate adoptive parents, foster parents, stepparents, and those moms and dads who chose life in difficult circumstances.

Do you know parents who continually display unconditional love? Are there people you know who have lived pro-life values by opening their hearts to a child through adoption or foster care? How have your own children impacted your heart and taught you about love?

We want to hear your stories. Drop us a line below.

Vote Pro-Life In The Special Election for SD 54

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 16:45:00 GMT

A Reminder that today is the SPECIAL ELECTION to replace Senator Charlie Bethel SD 54 upon his judicial appointment. We congratulate Senator Bethel on his appointment to the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Below are the pro-life questionnaires we received. Candidates noted by a * have received the GLA Prolife Certification.

SD 54 – Payne Questionnaire 2016 *

GLA joins NRLC in Congratulating Rep. Tom Price on HHS Nomination.

Fri, 02 Dec 2016 17:23:00 GMT

National Right to Life Committee and Georgia Life Alliance Praise Selection of Rep. Tom Price as Secretary of Health & Human Services

The National Right to Life Committee and Georgia Life Alliance is praising President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of U.S. Rep. Tom Price, M.D., (R-GA) to serve as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

“Dr. Tom Price will bring to the Department of Health and Human Services a strong record in defense of innocent human life,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “Dr. Price will empower the Department of Health and Human Services to protect the most vulnerable members of our society: the unborn and their mothers, the elderly, and the medically dependent and disabled.”

Throughout his tenure in the United States House of Representatives, which began in 2005, Dr. Price has a 100% pro-life voting record. He is a co-sponsor of major pro-life legislation, including the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (which would protect from abortion unborn children at 20 weeks fetal age or later, who are capable of feeling pain), and the Health Care Conscience Rights Act (which would prevent any level of government from discriminating against health care providers who decline to participate in abortions, and would counter regulatory mandates that violate the religious or moral convictions of those who purchase or provide health insurance).

Dr. Price has also been a leader on healthcare, proposing reforms that would dismantle Obamacare’s disastrous rationing mechanisms.

Emily Matson of Georgia Life Alliance said, “Rep. Tom Price has long been a solid partner in the fight to protect the unborn. As a physician, he is intimately aware of the intricacies and humanity of children in the womb. We have been so grateful for his heart and knowledge on our side of this fight to protect the most innocent. We anticipate his commitment to protect the unborn will continue in this esteemed role as Secretary of Human Health and Services.”

We are pleased to have a friend in Washington, in a place which will give a voice to the life-affirming culture Georgia Life Alliance works to promote. We congratulate Congressman Price on his nomination and hope to see him promptly confirmed by the Senate when the new administration takes office.

photo credit: National Right to Life News

Nov 28 Update: Special Election SD 54

Mon, 28 Nov 2016 10:46:00 GMT

Nov 28 Update: Special Election SD 54 set for December 13th.

A SPECIAL ELECTION has been called to replace Senator Charlie Bethel SD 54 upon his judicial appointment. We congratulate Senator Bethel on his appointment to the Georgia Court of Appeals and call for candidates wishing to represent Georgia’s 54th District in the Senate to submit questionnaires and certification applications found at the links within this original post.

Below are those questionnaires received to date. With only two weeks until Election Day for SD 54, we will be posting as we receive and review questionnaires. We are thankful for the strong pro-life stands of these candidates. Candidates noted by a * have received the GLA Prolife Certification.

SD 54 – Goodson Questionnaire 2016 *

SD 54 – Payne Questionnaire 2016 *

_____

Nov 10: ELECTION UPDATE! Congratulations to our pro-life candidates who were re-elected to represent their constituents under the gold dome and on Capitol Hill.

Below, you can see those who have taken a stand for life who won their elections.

_____

Georgia Life Alliance has posted all November candidate questionnaires received as of Sept 15.
If you are a candidate and missed the deadline, please call 678-597-8055 if you would like to speak with someone about submitting a questionnaire and application for GLA Prolife Certification. We’d be happy to talk with you.

Please note the Candidate Instruction Letter for information on how to apply for certification. Candidates: If you’d like to talk with us for more information about the questions on the Candidate Questionnaire, you are welcome to call us at 678-597-8055.

If you’re a candidate running for office, you can download the following GLA Pro-Life Certification & Survey materials:

November 2016 Candidate Questionnaires

____________

Georgia House District (HD)

Georgia Senate District (SD)

SD 19 – Tillery Questionnaire 2016
SD 21 – Beach Questionnaire 2016
SD 28 – Brass-Questionnaire-2016
SD 32 – Hill Questionnaire 2016
SD 46 – Cowsert Questionnaire 2016
SD 53 – Mullis Questionnaire 2016
SD 51 – Gooch Questionnaire 2016
SD 56 – Albers Questionnaire 2016

Georgia Congressional District (CD)

CD 8 – Scott Questionnaire 2016
CD 9 – Collins Questionnaire 2016
CD 11 – Loudermilk Questionnaire 2016
CD 14 – Graves Questionnaire 2016

Georgia Public Service Commission

PSC Echols, Tim – Questionnaire 2016

_______________________________________________________

The following legislators won special elections in 2015 and submitted the GLA Questionnaire:

Senate District 20

Larry Walker’s Completed Survey (Elected 12/1/2015)

House District 122
Jodi Lott’s Completed Survey (Elected 12/1/2015)

Adoption – A Loving Option

Fri, 28 Oct 2016 14:30:00 GMT

Guest Blog by Talli Moellering

As the leader of a Women’s Clinic there are times I’m with the general public and I’ll hear comments that really frustrate me. One of the highest on my list is when someone is talking about being adopted or choosing adoption as an option and they use words or phrases like “gave me up,” “put me up,” “gave we away,” “I was unwanted so my mom gave me to another family,” “my birth mom was messed up so she needed to get rid of me.”

Please know, I don’t want to discount your feelings. Your feelings and your experience is real and part of your story.

(Parenting ranks #2)

There’s several reasons why the adoption number is so low but one main reason is our culture, the leaders of our community, and individuals speaking in front of thousands using terms like “she gave me up.”

Every adoption placement has a story. Some good. Some hard. But if we want to change the perception of adoption, and we do, for the sake of the unborn whose lives are in danger, those speaking in front of thousands need to select their words wisely.

What if a leader speaking in front of thousands would say, yes, my mom was messed up so she chose a very courageous, selfless act, she chose life, and she lovingly placed me into the hands of a wonderful family that could provide and care for me. A family that desperately wanted me. My guess, they had been praying over your arrival for years.

If it were said like this, perception would begin to change. The young girl in the audience dealing with an unplanned pregnancy would have just heard a positive related to adoption. Wow! Now she might consider it.

It wasn’t the focus of the message but it was still heard, I would assume someone heard a negative connotation. I pray she walks into one of our clinics so we can share the beauty of the adoption option.

___________________________
Talli Moellering, the Director of A Beacon of Hope. Talli is a certified Sexual Risk Avoidance educator, a Post Abortion Recovery Specialist with additional certification as a Crisis Pregnancy Coach through the American Association of Christian Counselors. She has worked within the field of sexual health and unplanned pregnancy for 20 years and travels regularly around the Southeast sharing the mission of A Beacon of Hope and speaking to parents and teens. Talli is the mom of three daughters ages 23, 20, and 17. She and her husband David have been married for 25 years.”

See our two-part series from Adoption Month last year with Stephen Story of Covenant Care Adoption.
You can find it here

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday 2017

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 20:34:00 GMT

The year 2016 has been one full of twists and turns. It may only be October, but 2017 is fast approaching. In January, we will remember the 44th anniversary of the Supreme Court Decision on Roe vs. Wade ; the decision that made abortion legal in the United States. Sunday, Jan 15, 2017 is designated as Sanctity of Human Life Sunday to remember the January 22nd decision.

At Georgia Life Alliance, we encourage life-giving involvement around this time and have written our Sanctity of Human Life Sunday bulletin insert to reflect a love for life, encouragement for prayer, thanks to those who advocate for the unborn and involvement with those who love on their mothers. This is also a difficult time for many so we encourage extra time and care be taken for those who remember with regret.

Over the last two years, some of you have taken advantage of our offer for Sanctity of Human Life Sunday bulletin inserts/flyers for your Pregnancy Center supporting churches, and congregations. If you’d like to participate with us this year, we’d love to have you join us. Click here to see this year’s insert .

Last year, we got the cost to $.10 for each insert and this year, we’ve secured a price of just $.05 each.

Shipping will be done by Priority Mail: $5.75 for any order less than 500 and $12.65 for orders from 500-1,500.

To participate with us, NO later than Nov. 15th , please place your order RSVP online by filling in the blanks below to hold your quantity (then click Submit).
In addition, by Nov 30, please mail your check with this printed form to Georgia Life Alliance (SOHL) PO Box 725546, Atlanta GA 31139

We look forward to serving you as you serve others.

GLA Life at the Party Gala Re-Cap

Mon, 12 Sep 2016 14:49:00 GMT

Thank you so much to those of you who made it out this last Saturday to our first annual Life at the Party. We had a fantastic night of fellowship and celebration.

The evening started with the VIP reception where Lt. Governor Casey Cagle was awarded the Champion for Life award. We also honored over 20 federal and state legislators with our “Advocate for Life” award.

After dinner was served, awards were presented. Renee Unterman was given the State Senator of the Year for her work on SB 308. Joyce Chandler was presented with State Representative of the Year for carrying HB 555. Congressman Doug Collins was given Federal Legislator of the Year for his 100% pro-life voting record in Washington. Lastly, Mary Boyert was given the Life Legacy Award for her life-long dedication to the pro-life cause.

Keynote Speaker, movie director and producer, Alex Kendrick spoke at length about his experience creating faith-based movies and how a little bit of faith can go a long way.

For those of you who missed the incredible GLA vision video check it out here: georgialifealliance.com/new_direction

Thanks again to everyone who made it out. It is because of you that we can do what we do.

Phyllis Schlafly: A Hero and Advocate of the Unborn

Wed, 07 Sep 2016 16:33:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2016
Contact: Emily Matson
Emily@georialifealliance.com
706-766-5435

ATLANTA- Georgia Life Alliance stands on the shoulders of many who came before us. Today we mourn the passing of a woman who was fearless in her efforts to give a voice to the voiceless of our culture, especially unborn children. Phyllis Schlafly is one of those advocates whose tireless work trained thousands of men and women across the country to speak up for the unborn and promote legislation to protect them.

She’s influenced generations of pro-life women with her speaking on college campuses across the country, producing her weekly radio program, The Phyllis Schlafy Report and the Education Reporter, all aimed to educate and equip her followers to be effective advocates of sound policy on many issues at a state and feral level. Founding Eagle Forum in 1968, her State Leaders have emulated her example and continue to support her mission and philosophy at state capitols across the country.

In 1984, Phyllis Schlafly joined former Congressman Henry Hyde as a Delegate of the Platform Committee to lead the effort to adopt the prolife language of the Dallas Convention: “The unborn child has a fundamental, individual right to life which cannot be infringed….” Every four years, from that time on, Phyllis and her Eagles threw a party to remind National Delegates of the rights of the unborn – labeling her efforts “The Life of the Party” – from which we drew to begin our first annual “Life at the Party” Gala.

We extend our condolences to her family and close friends, especially her six children, 16 grand-children and six great-grand-children.

Georgia Life Alliance is the Georgia affiliate of National Right to Life.

###

Democratic National Convention Adopts Staunch Pro-Abortion Platform

Sun, 31 Jul 2016 23:58:00 GMT

Less than a week after the conclusion of the Republican National Convention, the Democratic National Convention rolled up with its own share of political drama. While it is easy to get distracted by these exciting developments, it is important for us in the pro-life movement to also keep an eye on the policy platforms of both major political parties.

A closer look at the platform of the Democratic National Convention will unveil the party leadership’s hardline stance against unborn life. As we have highlighted recently, this platform is the most pro-abortion platform in the history of the Democratic Party.

From the Democratic National Committee’s 2016 platform :

“Democrats are committed to protecting and advancing reproductive health, rights, and justice. We believe unequivocally, like the majority of Americans, that every woman should have access to quality reproductive health care services, including safe and legal abortion…”

Hillary Clinton, in her acceptance address at the Democratic National Convention endorsed this party platform by saying, “We wrote it together – now let’s go out there and make it happen together.”

Something important to note in this platform – the omission of the word “rare” from the phrase “safe, legal and rare abortions.” In 2008, Hillary Clinton frequently stated that abortions should be “safe, legal and rare.” On more than one occasion, Clinton would go on to emphasize, “and by rare, I mean rare.” Quite interestingly, both Clinton and her party have completely omitted their “rare” qualifier for abortions. It seems there is just too much money to be made for those willing to perform the gruesome procedure to support abortion only in “rare” occasions and Planned Parenthood stays financially involved and supportive of candidates who support it.

The Democrats’ staunch pro-abortion stance was further reinforced when they gave Planned Parenthood President, Cecile Richards a prime-time speaking slot at their convention. Yes, Planned Parenthood is the same organization that has been in the news lately for selling body parts of dead babies and who receive over $500,000 of your federal tax money annually to support their money-making business.

The Democratic Party’s harsh and extreme stance against life has only served to alienate millions of its own pro-life members. According to Kristen Day, Executive Director of Democrats for Life, “The Democratic Party’s abortion stances have already caused many to leave the party, and many more will drop out because of the platform wording…Abortion is also among the reasons Democrats lost their majority in the House of Representatives. In the key states of Ohio and Pennsylvania, for example, Democrats held the majority of seats until Republicans were able to associate the Affordable Care Act with “the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade.”

Growing a pro-life culture in Georgia requires the presence of strong pro-life leaders in both our major parties. We at the Georgia Life Alliance are grieved by the Democratic Party’s staunch pro-abortion stance. We encourage pro-life Democrats to stand up to their party’s divisive leadership on the issue of Life!

_________________________

For the Georgia Life Alliance article about the Pro-life Platform adopted at the National Republican Convention , CLICK HERE .

For more about the Democrat National Platform on abortion, see this posting from NRL News .
Georgia Life Alliance has been the Georgia Affiliate of National Right to Life since 2014.

Learn more about supporting our work HERE .

GLA Congratulates Pro-Life Candidates Winning July Runoff Elections

Fri, 29 Jul 2016 15:38:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 29, 2016 Emily Matson 706-766-5435 ATLANTA – Many Pro-Life candidates across Georgia emerged victorious in the July 26th primary runoff elections. These candidates will now be their party’s nominee in the...

Encouraging Parents to Carry to Term: Prolife Advocacy when there is a Prenatal Diagnosis

Wed, 27 Jul 2016 14:27:00 GMT

Perinatal Hospice Part 3
by Tracy Winsor,
Co-Founder, BeNotAfraid

[Editor’s note: In case you missed them, click to find Perinatal Hospice Part 1 and Part 2 .]

North Carolina parents, Javier and Carolina Castro, were offered two options by their medical provider when they were told at twenty weeks gestation that their son had a lethal kidney anomaly. Abort within the next week in North Carolina or travel to Georgia and abort sometime in the next month.

It was a friend who suggested a third option…carrying the baby to term. She connected the couple to a local organization, Be Not Afraid (BNA), which offered perinatal hospice support to parents carrying to term following a prenatal diagnosis. A BNA volunteer called Carolina Castro within hours.

“At first, she asked me just to listen to what she had to say,” explains Castro. “I had no hope that she had information that would be helpful for me. I had only heard of pregnancies with complications being terminated.”

Javier and Carolina Castro welcome their son, Gabriel. (Photo © BeNotAfraid)

The volunteer acknowledged Carolina’s feelings of shock and grief. She told Carolina that the “diagnosis day” was the worst. Often parents at diagnosis fear that the worst is yet to come when really the worst has already happened.

She said that the birth, even if it meant a death, would be easier than the diagnosis because there would be time to prepare.

She provided information regarding BNA support, and encouraged Carolina to look at the FAQ page at ww.perinatalhospice.net so that she could be fully aware of the research that supported continuing the pregnancy as well as the risks of a second trimester abortion.

She shared stories about parents she had supported who had no regrets about continuing their pregnancies. It gave them time to cherish their child’s life. She also reminded Carolina that her son had not been changed by the diagnosis; he was still the baby she had loved from the moment she knew he existed.

She shared parents videos available at the BNA website so that Carolina would feel less isolated in the experience of this diagnosis, and so that she and Javier could begin to envision the possibilities of choosing not to abort.

“This made all the difference to us,” shares Castro. “We didn’t feel alone.”

“And I remember,” Castro adds, “That when she talked about our son, Gabriel, she referred to him as our precious baby. This was so calming in the midst of the turmoil inside my head. She recognized him as someone who mattered.”

While the primary focus of BNA is in serving parents who have committed to carrying to term, the organization is always prepared to provide information and prolife encouragement to parents who are undecided or even abortion-minded.

BNA Co-founder, Sandy Buck, explains, “We are fully committed to the dignity of all life no matter how frail or how brief, and that commitment is not only reflected in the care we provide to the parents who decide to carry to term and the babies welcomed by our service, but also in our willingness to engage parents who are undecided.”

Carolina Castro was one such parent who ultimately decided to continue her pregnancy. The BNA volunteers who supported her and Javier in welcoming their son considered it a privilege.

On September 17, 2013, Gabriel Andres Castro was born still.

In a blog post two days later, Carolina wrote…

One thought I do have very clear in my mind and in my heart, is that yes, it was all worth it…The diagnosis (day) was the worst day. The day when they tell you what you hoped, what you thought you had, was no more. “Your baby is incompatible with life…” That was the…day of darkness, of hopelessness, of fear…

September 17th, four months later, was very different. It was a day of celebration, of union, of unconditional love.

Castro reflects, “I have no regrets whatsoever. I am so glad the option of carrying to term was explained to me, and so glad I listened.”

Javi and Carolina are featured in a BNA parent DVD available at the LINK HERE . Their interview is featured in the subsection entitled, “At diagnosis, parents need information regarding the option of carrying to term.”

—————-

Tracy L. Winsor, MPA, is Cofounder of Be Not Afraid (BNA) , a private non-profit corporation whose mission is to provide comprehensive, practical, and peer-based support to parents experiencing a prenatal diagnosis and carrying to term. She can be reached directly at Tracy.Winsor@benotafraid.net .

[Editor’s note: In case you missed them, click to find Perinatal Hospice Part 1 and Part 2 .]

Republican National Convention Adopts Strong Pro-Life Platform

Fri, 22 Jul 2016 12:15:00 GMT

It’s been a fascinating week in American politics. No doubt your inbox, social media feeds and the news have been filled with “RNCinCLE” posts, news, pictures, commentary and videos. Many of our pro-life friends from Georgia have been in Cleveland for the GOP Convention and some went a week early to serve on Committees ranging from the Rules Committee to the Platform Committee, which we take a special interest in. As Convention week comes to a close, we wanted to share some good news for unborn children and prolife advocates.

It may not have been mentioned in the long list of policy positions during Republican Nominee Donald Trump’s speech to the RNC Convention last night, but the cause of the unborn child was certainly not ignored by the Republican Party. It started with the Platform Committee . The issue of Life is traditionally expected to be a key issue on the platforms of both the Republican and Democratic national conventions. The Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio started by exhibiting a strong stance for Life with its recently adopted platform . (The full text of Prolife Plank is included at end of this article.)

In what has been touted as their “most pro-life platform”, the Republican National Convention’s delegates resoundingly adopted the proposed platform with a voice vote. The platform’s section on “The Sanctity and Dignity of Human Life” begins with the following statement:

The platform goes on to endorse legislation that extends 14th amendment protections to unborn children. The platform also condemns the spending of taxpayer dollars on funding organizations that perform or promote abortions in addition to calling for a ban on using body parts from aborted fetuses for research. Furthermore, this platform also commends Republican legislators at the federal and state levels for leading the charge to provide children with health care coverage before birth.

The Chair of the Republican National Convention’s 2016 Platform Committee, United State Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) has a perfect 100% Pro-Life Voting Record from the National Right To Life Committee.

We at the Georgia Life Alliance salute the Republican National Convention & the Republican Party for their renewed and robust support for the cause of Life.

*************************

Republican Platform

We The People: A Restoration of Constitutional Government

The Sanctity and Dignity of Human Life

Faithful to the “self-evident” truths enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children. We oppose using public revenues to promote or perform abortion or fund organizations which perform or advocate it and will not fund or subsidize health care which includes abortion coverage. We support the appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life. We oppose the non-consensual withholding or withdrawal of care or treatment, including food and water, from people with disabilities, including newborns, as well as the elderly and infirm, just as we oppose active and passive euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Republican leadership has led the effort to prohibit the barbaric practice of partial-birth abortion and permitted States to extend health care coverage to children before birth. We urge Congress to strengthen the Born Alive Infant Protection Act by enacting appropriate civil and criminal penalties on healthcare providers who fail to provide treatment and care to an infant who survives an abortion, including early induction delivery where the death of the infant is intended. We call for legislation to ban sex-selective abortions – gender discrimination in its most lethal form – and to protect from abortion unborn children who are capable of feeling pain; and we applaud U.S. House Republicans for leading the effort to protect the lives of pain-capable unborn children in the District of Columbia. We call for a ban on the use of body parts from aborted fetuses for research. We support and applaud adult stem cell research to develop lifesaving therapies, and we oppose the killing of embryos for their stem cells. We oppose federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

We also salute the many States that have passed laws for informed consent, mandatory waiting periods prior to an abortion, and health-protective clinic regulation. We seek to protect young girls from exploitation through a parental consent requirement; and we affirm our moral obligation to assist, rather than penalize, women challenged by an unplanned pregnancy. We salute those who provide them with counseling and adoption alternatives and empower them to choose life, and we take comfort in the tremendous increase in adoptions that has followed Republican legislative initiatives.

For the full platform language CLICK HERE .

Georgia Life Alliance is the National Right to Life Affiliate in Georgia. To support our work on behalf of the unborn in Georgia, CLICK HERE .

Medical Abortion and the Expansion of Abortion in the U.S.

Tue, 19 Jul 2016 15:08:00 GMT

By GUEST AUTHOR: Kathleen M. Raviele, MD FACOG

When abortion was legalized in the U.S. in 1973, under any circumstances, the one limiting factor was the availability of physicians willing to perform the procedure. Despite identifying themselves as “pro-choice”, most physicians had a distaste for actually participating in the procedure. Those who did perform abortions were marginalized by the medical community. As a result, abortion clinics had to import abortionists, even from other states, to come in over the weekend, as they lined up the women for a procedure lethal to their unborn babies and potentially dangerous for them.

As a result, drug combinations were developed to abort the woman without surgery. Approved for use by the FDA in 2000, the original regimen was 600 mg (three 200 mg tablets) of mifepristone orally on day 1, followed by 400 mcg of misoprostol orally on day 3. Mifepristone, also known as RU-486, binds to progesterone receptors, preventing progesterone from supporting the pregnancy. This can be likened to a deep sea diver losing the oxygen in his tanks. Misoprostol then causes the uterus to contract and expel the baby and placenta. The FDA initially approved this regimen up to 49 days from the first day of the last period but Planned Parenthood used it off-label later in pregnancy and with different regimens.

About 3% of women who take RU-486 have to have a D&C because of bleeding and incomplete passage of tissue. Early on, 8 women died in the U.S. because of a pelvic infection with Clostridium Sordelli after using the misoprostol vaginally. It should be kept in mind that the reporting of complications from abortion in the U.S. is voluntary with several states never reporting them, including California. Despite just being handed a few pills for the woman to take herself, the cost of a medical abortion as of 2009, the year of the most recent data, is $490 which is higher than the $470 fee charged for a surgical abortion. If a woman experiences complications from either procedure, the abortion clinic does not provide follow-up care or admission to the hospital.

Medical abortions will expand the number of abortions in the U.S. and the world. By 2011 they accounted for 36% of abortions before 9 weeks in the U.S. The woman can choose abortion on impulse, she can drive herself to the clinic and back home and no one else needs to know. Medical abortions cause more bleeding than surgical abortions and the further along she is in pregnancy, the greater the bleeding and the more likely she will also need a D&C. In March of 2016, the FDA approved medical abortions up to 70 days from the first day of the last menstrual period using mifepristone 200 mg orally in the clinic, under a “certified healthcare provider” followed in 24-48 hours by 800 mcg of misoprostol taken buccally. Medical abortions do not require a physician, only that it is “dispensed in clinics, medical offices, and hospitals by or under the supervision of a certified healthcare provider.” Spontaneous miscarriages at 70 days are associated much more commonly with heavy bleeding and incomplete passage of the placenta.

Some women change their minds after taking the abortion pill. Through a website developed and manned by Dr. George Delgado and a group of RNs, patients are finding they can stop their medical abortion on www.AbortionPillReversal.com . Dr. Delgado’s office puts them in touch with a physician in their area who can start them on high doses of progesterone to override the effects of the mifepristone. The protocols were developed based on case reports. Mifepristone does not cause fetal abnormalities , but if the second drug has been taken, the pregnancy cannot usually be saved and misoprostol does cause fetal anomalies. So far, about 60% of the abortions have been reversed at the request of the mother. Even if the abortion cannot be stopped, these women encounter caring physicians who treat them with respect and concern for their unborn child. These physicians adhere to the Hippocratic Oath, written in the 5th century B.C. by Hippocrates, a Greek physician and the father of Western medicine. Sadly, it is no longer administered to medical students at graduation. The oath states “I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but never with a view to injury and wrong-doing. Neither will I administer a poison to anybody when asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a course. Similarly I will not give to a woman a pessary to cause abortion.” If only physicians and all healthcare providers returned to the principles of the Hippocratic Oath.

Dr. Kathleen Raviele is a board-certified ob-gyn in the private practice of gynecology in the Atlanta area. She is a revert to the Catholic faith and has been an NFP-only gynecologist since 1991. She is certified to teach four methods of NFP and is a medical consultant for the Creighton program as well as having helped develop the Marquette Method of NFP. She is a past president of the Catholic Medical Association and a former board member of Georgia Right to Life. She currently serves on the board of the Catholic Medical Association as a presidential advisor and as a consultant to the Pro-Life Secretariat of the USCCB. She is the volunteer Medical Director for the Pregnancy Aid Clinic.

A part of the GLA Medical Alliance, Dr. Raviele has advised Georgia Life Alliance on issues related to her profession since early 2015.

40 Years of Life-Saving Hyde Amendment

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 21:09:00 GMT

Three accounts of deadly medical discrimination

Fri, 15 Jul 2016 19:35:00 GMT

Donald Trump selects Pro-Life Indiana Gov. Mike Pence to be his V.P.

Fri, 15 Jul 2016 19:27:00 GMT

Originally published by NRLC July 15, 2016 Donald Trump . Used with Permission. By Dave Andrusko

Ending weeks of speculation, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump announced today on Twitter, ”I am pleased to announce that I have chosen Mike Pence as my Vice Presidential running mate.”

There will be a Saturday news conference, he added. Mr. Trump had been expected to have the news conference today but he held off because of the “horrible attack” that took place Thursday in Nice, France.

“With a solid pro-life voting record on abortion during his time in Congress, and through his pro-life actions as Indiana Governor, Mike Pence has proven himself to be a strong and outspoken leader for the right-to-life,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life.

From the single-issue pro-life perspective, the selection of Pence, who also served six terms in Congress, would be difficult to surpass.

His record on abortion while in Congress from 2001 to 2012 was exemplary.

Then Congressman Pence served on the House Judiciary Committee, and on the Subcommittee on the Constitution. As a member of these key panels, he participated actively in hearings and committee action on a number of major pro-life bills, including the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, enacted in 2003, and the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, enacted in 2004.

He was an early leader of efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. In the current climate of the Obama Administration’s assault on religious liberties, the selection of Pence, a staunch defender of religious freedom, is particularly helpful.

Pence was elected Indiana governor in 2012 and is hugely popular with Indiana Right to Life, NRLC’s staff affiliate.

“Gov. Pence is devoted to protecting the unborn and their mothers,” said Indiana Right to Life President and CEO, Mike Fichter. “Gov. Pence’s pro-life stance is more than a talking point; Gov. Pence has put his pro-life position into action time and time again. Indiana is a better state for the unborn and their mothers because of the Governor’s pro-life leadership.”

Fichter added, “Since becoming governor, Gov. Pence has advanced the pro-life cause through legislation and his administration. Under Gov. Pence, there are four fewer abortion facilities. The state abortion rate has been steadily declining every year. The state is enforcing health regulations that protect women’s health, and abortion doctors know they don’t have a free pass.”

In a press statement lauding the choice, Indiana Right to Life listed the many pro-life measures Gov. Pence has signed to bring dignity to the unborn and their mothers. He has signed bills to

* Promote umbilical cord donation, an ethical alternative to embryonic stem cell research.

* Increase awareness of positive support for parents of Down syndrome children

* Provide information on perinatal hospice to parents who receive an adverse prenatal diagnosis

* Increase informed consent measures for women seeking abortions, including full color photos of fetal development printed in informed consent information.

Gov. Pence’s Real Alternatives program at pregnancy resource centers offers life-affirming and compassionate care to women through pregnancy and as they begin parenting,” Fichter said. “Gov. Pence also has sought to promote adoption through the first ever state income tax credit for Hoosier families who adopt and by hosting an annual Adoption Fair highlighting this loving option.

Mr. Fichter concluded,

“Gov. Pence brings his pro-life credentials to the Trump presidential ticket. In contrast, Hillary Clinton has sought to expand abortion access and fund the life-ending procedure with our tax dollars. She has a cozy relationship with the abortion industry and cannot be trusted to protect life.

“Gov. Pence will advance the cause of life on the campaign trail this fall and will defend the unborn and their mothers if elected Vice President.”

For more NRL News: CLICK HERE .

NRLC: Pro-Life Indiana Governor Mike Pence is “Excellent Choice” for Vice President

Fri, 15 Jul 2016 19:02:00 GMT

For immediate release: Friday, July 15, 2016 For more information: Tatiana Bergum, (202) 626-8825, mediarelations@nrlc.org WASHINGTON – The president of the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of state right-to-life affiliates, said...

Watch National Right to Life Convention

Thu, 14 Jul 2016 10:22:00 GMT

For those of you who missed the 2016 National Right to Life Convention, we wanted to make sure you knew that you can still see the sessions on Facebook! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be posting more news from the Convention along with links and resources for you to take action in your own family, church, and community. You can sign up for those emails from us here: http://georgialifealliance.com/. It will be right at the top of the page.

Watch all the General Sessions live on the NRLC Facebook page .

Click here for the complete schedule.

The National Right to Life Convention is the essential pro-life educational and training event of the year.

During this three-day event, national experts on life issues gather in one place to equip the pro-life grassroots with the knowledge and skills they need to advance our cause.

Since 1971, the NRL Convention has offered workshops and extraordinary general sessions featuring religious leaders, nationally-recognized journalists, and political leaders.

NRLC Press Release: Rebuke to Obama Administration refusal to protect rights

Wed, 13 Jul 2016 23:23:00 GMT

For immediate release: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 For more information: Tatiana Bergum, (202) 626-8825, mediarelations@nrlc.orgRebuke to Obama Administration refusal to protect rights U.S. House votes to protect health care providers from state-mandated abortion WASHINGTON (July...

Federal Legislative Alert: The Conscience Protection Act

Mon, 11 Jul 2016 16:34:00 GMT

7.13.16 Update: Watch the debate in the US House, expected at 12noon. http:// houselive.gov /

Please Call Your Congressman TODAY.

The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on The Conscience Protection Act on Wednesday. This legislation is in direct response to the Obama administration’s ruling last month that forces churches in California to pay for abortions.

In 2014, the California Department of Managed Health Care reclassified abortion as a “basic health service” under the Affordable Care Act. All insurance providers in the state, were accordingly instructed to begin covering surgical abortions immediately. As a result of this regulation, even churches that have moral concerns with the practice of abortion are now legally required to pay for the same.

Churches in California responded by filing a lawsuit and petitioning the Obama administration to uphold the Weldon amendment – federal law that protects conscience rights. While the outcome of the lawsuit is still pending, the Department of Health and Human Services decided to shut down its investigation of the complaints last week, stating it found no violation.

On Wednesday, the House will vote on a bill that would codify two amendments that protect against this type of discrimination (the Hyde and Weldon Amendments) and provide a private right of action for those who experience conscience discrimination. The Hyde Amendment prohibits federal funds for abortion, and the Weldon Amendment protects entities and health plans that decline to be involved in the provision of abortions.

Please call your Congressman and ask them to vote YES on The Conscience Protection Act . Let them know that you stand for life and the freedom of conscience. Find your Member and Contact Info here at the National Right to Life Legislative Action Center at http://www.capwiz.com/nrlc/home/ .

Join Our Efforts: DONATE here.

We need your help. Please Share!

More info on this: GLA BLOG

Obama Administration brazenly tramples on the rule of law

Mon, 11 Jul 2016 14:44:00 GMT

Originally published on July 8, 2016 Abortion by NRLC.

By Carol Tobias, President, National Right to Life

Guest Post: 2016 Democratic platform even more pro-abortion

Wed, 06 Jul 2016 01:16:00 GMT

July 5, 2016 Politics

I’d meant to get to a story that appeared Friday in the Washington Post about the Democrats’ platform [“Democrats release draft of platform, with shifts to left on death penalty, abortion, taxes”] but time got away from me.

Here’s David Weigel’s lead :

The Democratic National Committee released the latest draft of its 2016 platform late Friday afternoon, a week after Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) promised to fight “on the floor of the convention” if more progressive planks did not make it in.

Weigel tells his readers reporters previously only had a summary of the platform and a leak on which to base stories about the party’s platform. “After multiple requests from the media, and at least one leak, the party is effectively giving the public one week to peruse the language before the full platform committee meets in Orlando.”

So what is the party’s position on abortion? Only a tiny portion of the section is included. Instead Weigel talks about how, for “the first time, the 2016 Democratic platform says that the party will attempt to repeal the Hyde Amendment.”

We will continue to oppose — and seek to overturn — federal and state laws and policies that impede a woman’s access to abortion, including by repealing the Hyde Amendment … we support the repeal of harmful restrictions that obstruct women’s access to health care information and services, including the “global gag rule” and the Helms Amendment that bars U.S. assistance to provide safe, legal abortion throughout the developing world.

Translated out of AbortionSpeak and into English, what is the party is going after?

The Hyde Amendment is a provision attached to the annual appropriations bill that covers many federal health programs (including Medicaid). More federal funding means more–lots more–dead babies.

The most conservative estimates are that at least a million people (not to count their descendants) are alive today because of the Hyde Amendment. Testifying before a congressional committee in 2011, NRLC Federal Legislative Director Douglas Johnson said NRLC “believes that the Hyde Amendment has proven itself to be the greatest domestic abortion-reduction law ever enacted by Congress.”

The public overwhelming supports not allowing federal funding of abortion.

Getting rid of the Hyde Amendment is a major priority for Hillary Clinton, the pro-abortion presumptive Democratic nominee for President.

The Helms Amendment is a law that prohibits the use of certain types of foreign aid funds for abortion “as a method of family planning.”

Weigel says there are other portions of the platform that Clinton would not agree with. She agrees 100% with the platform on abortion.

Just a word about the remainder of the section on “Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice.” Here are the first three sentences, which is indicative:

“Democrats are committed to protecting and advancing reproductive health, rights, and justice. We believe unequivocally that every woman should have access to quality reproductive health care services, including safe and legal abortion–regardless of where she lives, how much money she makes, or how she is insured. We believe that reproductive health is core to women’s, men’s, and young people’s health and wellbeing.”

Originally published by National Right to Life Committee, July 5, 2016.

Read today’s NRL News and sign up for all the stories like this at www.nationalrighttolifenews.org !

SCOTUS Strikes Down Texas Pro-Life Laws

Mon, 27 Jun 2016 18:39:00 GMT

The United States Supreme Court dealt a blow to the pro-life movement today by setting yet another precedent which protects the path to abortion over the lives of unborn children.

In writing for a 5-3 majority, Justice Breyer struck down two Texas statutes which required abortion clinics to (1) meet surgical center requirements and (2) physicians performing abortions at abortion clinics to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the clinic. Justice Breyer opined that both laws create an “undue burden on a woman’s right to choose abortion” and create a “substantial obstacle in a woman’s path to abortion.”

“While this decision is a huge disappointment, the real error committed is not legal but moral. Our highest Court continues to ignore and devalue the rights of the unborn child in the abortion transaction,” said Emily Matson, Executive Director of Georgia Life Alliance. “This decision once again highlights the heart of this issue and the mandate for the pro-life movement: to grow a culture of life.

We must recalibrate our focus on the humanity of the unborn child while simultaneously giving our women facing unplanned pregnancy positive alternatives to help them choose life.”

For further analysis on the decision, Georgia Life Alliance will host a Zoom video conference call today,

June 27, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. EST at the following link:

https://zoom.us/j/150977231?pwd=hIbsTCY5Oik%3D

Georgia Life Alliance Committee is the affiliate for the National Right to Life in Georgia.

The Pro-Life Debate – Defending Two Congressmen

Fri, 10 Jun 2016 21:23:00 GMT

By Emily Matson

I wake up every day with babies on my mind.

First, there are my own babies. The oldest begins kindergarten this fall; the second just turned three and declared “I’m free’’; and Baby Jack is almost six months old.

Second, there are the millions of unborn babies whose talents and silhouettes may never grace the earthly stage. Those babies are on my mind as well as their mothers who will choose between giving life to their babies or abortion.

Enter the primary election season in which it appears unborn babies are on many minds. We hear and see pro-life candidates tout their pro-life credentials to apparently distinguish themselves from lesser pro-life candidates. Candidates who may genuinely believe the same thing as their opponent regarding the personhood of unborn babies try to convince the voters they are “more pro-life” or that votes on pro-life legislation weren’t actually “pro-life enough.”

For example, consider Dr. Paul Broun’s criticism of Rep. Doug Collins for voting ‘yes’ on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (which would prohibit abortion after 20 weeks). To allege the bill created a subclass of humans because it was amended to include exceptions for babies conceived in rape or incest is intellectually dishonest. If the bill became morally objectionable at the time it was amended to exclude babies conceived in rape and incest, why was it acceptable in its original form which excluded babies younger than 20 weeks? Collins voted ‘yes’ on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act in the 113th and 114th Congress. If successful, the Act would prohibit all abortions after 20 weeks fetal age. If statistics are correct, this Act would prevent an estimated 1.5% to 3% of all abortions. If multiplied by the most recent national statistic, that would be anywhere from 15,877 to 31,000 babies. (Source: Guttmacher, 2011). Broun actually voted ‘no’ on the same legislation in 2013.

Likewise, ponder candidate Daniel Cowan’s criticism of his GOP primary opponent, Rep. Barry Loudermilk. He mailed potential voters a flyer stating: Loudermilk “Failed to stand up for the unborn – broke his promise to defund Planned Parenthood.” The truth is Loudermilk cast eleven votes in the 114th Congress to protect the unborn, including the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, the Defund Planned Parenthood Act (H.R. 3134), the Pro-Life Reconciliation Bill (H.R. 3762), and the vote to override President Obama’s veto of H.R. 3762. Collins cast the same eleven votes to protect the unborn.

Many proclaimed pro-life candidates in this primary race allege a vote for the Omnibus spending bill (H.R. 2029) was a vote to fund Planned Parenthood. While the federal spending in H.R. 2029 was offensive on a number of levels, you will not find one budgetary line that directly funds Planned Parenthood in H.R. 2029. Neither would a vote against the spending bill have stopped federal dollars from flowing to Planned Parenthood…even temporarily. Planned Parenthood receives the vast amount of its federal funding through entitlement programs like Medicaid which are not dependent on annual spending bills. Alleging Loudermilk’s or Collin’s votes for the spending bill funded Planned Parenthood doesn’t pass the smell test.

While our distinct personalities and passions may inherently create different opinions as to the best strategy for saving the unborn, these differences don’t justify misleading voters about the voting records of men who believe in and have without fail voted to protect the unborn. Why such intentional exploitation of the plight of the unborn in order to politically one-up a pro-life opponent? We who believe the unborn are precious, innocent and deserve our sacrifice of time and passion are better than this.

Every minute used to fight about which candidate is “more pro-life” is a wasted minute. Every dollar spent on campaign mailers to attack the consistently pro-life votes of Congressmen like Doug Collins and Barry Loudermilk is a wasted dollar.

The political football of “I’m more pro-life than you” should be deflated and our money and rhetoric should be used to reach the hearts of women who feel that choosing life is not an option. What if each candidate, instead of touting the reasons he is “more pro-life” took to the airways and social media to call to that hurting woman, “You are cared for; that baby is a heart to love; let us help you.”

The author is the executive director of the Georgia Life Alliance.

– Originally published at Southern Political Report , May 11, 2016. Used with permission.

Georgia Life Alliance is the new National Right to Life Affiliate in Georgia.
You can support us here.

GLA Certified Federal Candidates Sweep Republican Primary

Thu, 02 Jun 2016 14:15:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 1, 2016 Emily Matson 706-766-5435 ATLANTA – After a short and heated primary fight for the Republican nomination in five of Georgia’s Congressional districts, all five incumbents emerged to represent their...

The Real Truth about Pregnancy Centers

Wed, 18 May 2016 10:45:00 GMT

By Lori Parker
Cobb Pregnancy Services Director

Apparently, as I was distracted with real life, a new late night talk show called Full Frontal has attracted a lot of viewers; especially young adults. The host is a woman named Samantha Bee who was a former correspondent for the Daily Show hosted by Jon Stewart.

In a recent episode , Samantha Bee attacked the credibility of pregnancy centers and specifically attacked Georgia State Senator, Renee Unterman for comments she made against Planned Parenthood and for her support of pregnancy centers. Ms. Bee criticized the senator for speaking against the deceptive practices of PP but felt justified herself to accuse pregnancy centers of being deceptive and toxic to society. I would assume Ms. Bee would identify herself as “prochoice” like most pro-abortionists do even though they don’t have any regard for the efforts of pregnancy centers that at least help women consider other choices besides abortion.

Along with being fake clinics, pregnancy centers were accused of confusing women by using logos that mimic abortion clinics. As pregnancy centers have become viable medical clinics for women, our logos have changed. We have no desire to brand ourselves as an abortion clinic but as the professional medical clinic that we are. Of course, abortion clinics use the same branding and logos rather than using images of aborted babies that would actually define them better.

According to Ms. Bee, pregnancy centers appeal to women’s needs for medical services in order to strong arm them into choosing life. To emphasize the lengths that pregnancy centers will go, Ms. Bee showed a video of a former pregnancy center client who claimed that she received false information in order to “scare” her into having her baby. I cannot speak to whether this client was given false information because I was not there, but neither was Samantha Bee. Stereotyping pregnancy centers using a one-sided story in order to discredit us is an underhanded attempt to sway public opinion. Imagine what would happen if they actually interviewed the countless women who had great experiences at pregnancy centers.

During the interview, the client stated that after having her baby, things got really difficult but the pregnancy center was not there. First, I do not think the pregnancy center moved or changed its phone number. I also don’t know of centers that do not provide on-going support and assistance with housing, baby clothes, and supplies. No one is going to solve all the problems that women experiencing crisis pregnancies have but pregnancy centers do, by design, provide immediate and on-going support. They also provide abortion alternative counseling which includes adoption. The woman confessed that, though she loves her son, she would abort if she could do it all again. No one is telling her to parent her son if she does not want to. If things are that bad, she might consider making an adoption plan. I also know that this phase of her life does not define the rest of her life. I would like to talk to her in a few years and see if she feels the same.

I assume that the point of the story was that we all should look into the face of this little boy and woe the day he was born.

It is up to each woman dealing with an unplanned pregnancy to decide the fate of her unborn child. She has every right to expect that any clinic she goes to, be it a pregnancy center or abortion clinic, will not exploit her in order to further their own agenda. We pray women choose life but we are also there to help women heal from the heartbreak of abortion. Planned Parenthood denies that women even suffer.

My question to you Ms. Bee is this. If an abortion minded woman, who has every legal right to make her own choice, decides to carry her child after coming to a pregnancy center, why does that offend you?

(This article originally appeared at Cobb Pregnancy Services on May 17, 2016. Used with Author’s permission.)

When an Ultrasound Leads to Heartache instead of Happiness

Tue, 17 May 2016 08:49:00 GMT

Perinatal Hospice – Part 2
by Tracy Winsor

( Part 1 can be found here. )

Sometimes the happy occasion of a prenatal ultrasound suddenly isn’t.

South Carolina expectant parents, Keith and Katherine Brown, learned that their first pregnancy was complicated by a prenatal diagnosis when abnormalities were detected during an anatomy scan at nineteen weeks gestation.

There were a number of issues, but most notably there was excess fluid in their daughter’s skull and abdomen and all four of her limbs were atypical. Additional testing was inconclusive, but the doctors suspected that Baby Grace had a rare genetic condition. The prognosis was grim.

“We were presented with many new medical terms and I just kept thinking that this was not supposed to be happening,” shares Katherine Brown. “Learning our first child had defects that would not likely allow her to live outside the womb was heart breaking.”

The Browns were fortunate that a perinatal hospice service which provided support to parents carrying to term following a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis existed in their community.  A genetics counselor at their maternal fetal medicine practice referred them to Perinatal ComfortCare , which provided on-going contacts and practical guidance for the Browns over the next eight weeks.  Perinatal hospice is a life-affirming care option for parents committed to carrying a baby with a prenatal diagnosis to term.

Tammy Tate, CEO/Founder of Perinatal ComfortCare, met with them to share information regarding how they could cherish the time they had with their daughter, and memory-making options they could request at birth. When Grace was born still at twenty-seven weeks gestation, Tate was there at the hospital providing comfort and consolation, and assisting in coordinating their care.

“The practical guidance she gave us in terms of preparing us for what we would experience in the hospital was invaluable,” notes Brown.

“I had no idea I could tell the hospital staff what I wanted during delivery or that I could hold my baby and spend time with her,” she adds. “We would’ve never thought of taking pictures of us holding Grace, and I am not sure we would have had a funeral without Tammy’s guidance.”

First introduced in medical literature in 1997 , perinatal hospice care provides comprehensive support to expectant parents told that their baby will die at or shortly after birth. Utilizing a multidisciplinary team including genetic counselors, obstetric and neonatal physicians, nurses, clergy, social workers, etc., perinatal hospice services support parents during pregnancy, and for at least one year after delivery.

Parents’ needs are addressed by providing appropriate medical consults, assistance preparing birth plans, guidance regarding options for newborn care, and bereavement support. This specialized service for parents prior to delivery allows them to prepare fully for birth, and to parent their baby for the time they will have no matter how brief or how frail that child’s life may be. The parent response to perinatal hospice is positive.

Nancy Mayer-Whittington, co-founder of Isaiah’s Promise , a perinatal hospice service in Maryland, is herself a mother who carried to term following a prenatal diagnosis.

Mayer-Whittington observes, “I would have felt less isolated and less alienated had I received the care we at Isaiah’s Promise provide to parents. Having the support of someone who can suggest options and understands the experience can make all the difference in the world.”

_____________________

References:
Link 1 http://www.perinatalhospice.org/home.html
Link 2 http://perinatalcomfortcare.org/
Link3 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Perinatal+hospice%3A+should+all+centers+have+this+service%3F
Link 4 http://www.isaiahspromise.net/

NRL Convention July 7-9, Herndon, VA

Thu, 12 May 2016 10:22:00 GMT

As our very own Continuing Education, each year, NRL Convention attendees come home with full hearts, more energy and a to-do list, longer than the one we had when we arrived. At least, that’s how it’s been for us for the past two years, attending as the Georgia Affiliate. This is where we learned of Perinatal Hospice, leading to this article beginning our series. We learned about APR, the Abortion Pill Reversal (series coming soon), which we presented at our first legislative policy briefing last fall, as well as efforts of other states and the innovative ways that the unborn are given dignity, protected and loved.

You’ll want to take a notebook and at least one back up to write with… Your time won’t be wasted, that’s for sure. Come ready to soak it in, listen, learn, meet advocates from all over the country. Read little further from the April article from Dave Andrusko below to learn more and sign up to attend in July!

We’ll 2nd that!

Georgia’s Pregnancy Centers – Love on the Front Line.

Wed, 11 May 2016 08:00:00 GMT

by Nancy Kingston, GLA Pregnancy Support Liaison

The vital mission and work of pregnancy care centers throughout Georgia can hardly be overstated. One of GLA’s foremost goals is to support, foster and promote this vital work since we are clearly linked by a genuine concern and love for the unborn and for those most at risk for choosing abortion. Therefore, GLA is committed to helping the PCCs become better equipped and better exposed, while keeping an eye to any legal or legislative issues which would affect their very existence.

Pregnancy care organizations have been the heart and hands of the pro-life movement since shortly after the abysmal “abortion-on-demand” ruling was handed down by the Supreme Court in 1973. In the wake of this tragic decision, large numbers of “pro-lifers” were motivated to establish places in their communities where women could be presented with realistic alternatives to abortion. During the subsequent 43 years, pregnancy care organizations have an indisputable life-saving and life-changing impact upon women and families.

Ironically, most women who consider abortion do so because they feel they “have no choice.” The staff at pregnancy centers are trained to address the anxieties of women and families in pregnancy hardships, and they are tireless in providing the accurate information and support that empowers women to choose life.

Currently in Georgia there are approximately 75 pregnancy care centers that provide life-affirming options to abortion. According to center surveys for 2014, 24,077 new clients walked through their doors, free 22,424 pregnancy tests were conducted, and at least 9,619 free ultrasounds were performed!

Pregnancy Care Centers are uniquely positioned to operate according to the highest standards of care and integrity, as clients are able to obtain these services without charge along with the promise of confidentiality, compassion and respect. Ongoing support, education and assistance throughout pregnancy and beyond also characterizes the distinctive nature of these organizations.

Manned by a virtual army of women and men offering women real help and answers, the variety of services available at pregnancy centers continues to expand. Currently, a majority of centers are certified to offer limited obstetrical ultrasounds – an integral part of a woman’s right to know all the facts surrounding her pregnancy. Moreover, many centers now offer parenting classes, fatherhood support programs, post-abortion recovery, testing for sexually transmitted infections, healthy pregnancy education.

GLA is eager to walk shoulder to shoulder with those on the front lines because we deeply grasp the challenging task of providing truth to each new generation. This alliance enhances and enriches our common objectives which is to defend the most vulnerable and grow a culture of life in Georgia.

Click the link here for a list of current centers in Georgia that offer free ultrasounds .

Governor Deal Signs Juvenile Abortion Reporting Bill

Tue, 10 May 2016 10:29:00 GMT

ATLANTA – Governor Nathan Deal has signed HB 555 into law, assuring an accurate picture of how many of Georgia minor girls seek the protection of the Court and feel compelled to go outside the protection of their parents to obtain an abortion.

HB 555 clarifies how data is to be gathered and transferred through the proper channels in order for the Department of Public health to report, as the law requires of them. This was the first piece of legislation proposed by Georgia Life Alliance Committee in 2015.

“As a modest start to our legislative involvement, we believe HB 555 will begin to help us get a more realistic idea of what the children of our state are facing when making a decision about an unplanned pregnancy,” says Emily Matson, GLA’s Executive Director and originator of the legislative concept, “when we have a better grasp on how many children are going before a judge, rather than face this decision with the support of their parents, the better we, as a community will be able to serve and care for them.”

Sponsored by Representative Joyce Chandler (R-Grayson), the bill requires nothing additional than what is already in the law – but simply clarifies how this data will be gathered and transferred through the proper channels and kept confidential.

“We especially appreciate the work of Representative Chandler on this legislation as well as nearly 20 original House Co-Sponsors who took a bit of a risk on us, being new to the conversation as an organization. We also appreciate Senator Bruce Thompson for carrying it through the Senate. There were many hands who helped make this possible and encouraged it along the way,” said Kristina Twitty, Director of Operations and Lobbyist for Georgia Life Alliance Committee.

HB 555 legislation provides statutory instruction to the Juvenile Court Clerks to collect this specific data regarding the judicial bypass procedure and provide the data to the Administrative Office of the Courts – so that the AOC can then give accurate, certain statistics to the Department of Public Health. The bill ensures the data will be compiled in aggregate form so that it will not be used to target certain judges who may or may not grant such petitions.

Georgia Life Alliance is the Georgia affiliate of National Right to Life.

###

GLAC Certifies Pro-Life Records of Congressmen Tom Graves and Austin Scott; Corrects the Record

Tue, 03 May 2016 10:00:00 GMT

ATLANTA – Monday, Georgia Life Alliance Committee (GLAC) issued letters certifying as pro-life Congressional incumbents Tom Graves (R-Ranger) and Austin Scott (R-Tifton).

“Congressman Tom Graves has a 100% pro-life voting record with the National Right to Life and other leading pro-life organizations. Tom cast at least eleven pro-life votes in the 114 ^th Congress, each time proving his commitment to protecting the unborn and honoring the sanctity of human life,” said Emily Matson, Executive Director. “Congressman Austin Scott has consistently supported key pro-life legislation both in Washington and at the Georgia Capitol. Austin is a proven advocate for the unborn.”

GLAC wholeheartedly supported the efforts of National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List, and other pro-life organizations in the joint-strategy to place H.R. 3762 – which would have defunded the overwhelming majority of Planned Parenthood’s government dollars – on the President’s desk. President Obama vetoed the measure on January 8, 2016. “Both Congressman Graves and Congressman Scott worked to successfully present the first-ever opportunity for a President to defund the giant abortion provider. To characterize the political capital expended by these Congressmen in any other way is simply not true.” said Matson.

Georgia Life Alliance Committee unveiled its “GLA Certified Pro-Life” application and certification process in early April. GLAC offers candidates for public office the opportunity to apply for “Pro-Life Certification” in two steps: (1) by completing the GLA Candidate Questionnaire on abortion-related legislation and (2) by applying for certification based upon evidence of a pro-life voting history or evidence of past pro-life efforts and thought on the part of the applicant candidate. The GLA Pro-life Certification packet can be found at GLAC website: http://georgialifealliance.com/2016-candidate-surveys

On April 28, 2016, GLAC issued Pro-Life Certifications to Congressmen Barry Loudermilk, Doug Collins, and Rick Allen. For a complete list of candidates certified by GLAC, please contact us.

Georgia Life Alliance is the Georgia affiliate of National Right to Life.

###

Childhood Abortion Reporting in Georgia

Sun, 01 May 2016 16:24:00 GMT

by Emily Matson, Executive Director & Kristina Twitty, Director of Operations

(This article first appeared at Insider Advantage .)

As a state, we require statistical reporting on any number of medical procedures and court proceedings. This is what House Bill 555 is about. As it passed the House, this bill would ensure accurate reporting of minor girls (under 18) getting an abortion by the permission of a judge, without parental involvement.
During the 2015 Legislative Session, Representative Joyce Chandler (R-Grayson) introduced HB 555. As it was originally written, this bill would have ensured that: 1) All abortion providers certify in every abortion, that the patient has been provided information required by the Women’s Right to Know law, prior to performing an abortion (surgical, or chemical), no matter where that abortion was performed. 2) Abortion providers report the disposal of fetal remains uniformly, regardless of the facility in which the abortion was performed or miscarriage occurred. 3) The Department of Public Health as accurate reporting on the number of minor girls obtaining an abortion without parental notice.

HB 555 was tabled in a House Insurance subcommittee and made it no further in 2015. The bill carried over to the 2016 session and thankfully was revived for hearing – but not before the bill was revised by striking the first and second reporting provisions. The revised bill, called a “substitute” passed out of committee and passed the Georgia House on February 17. The rest of this article is limited to the amended HB 555 that passed. . Parental Notification Laws There are 38 states in the nation that require either parental consent or parental notification prior to a minor female having an abortion. Georgia requires parents be notified before an abortion may be performed on a minor. Where a minor girl does not want to notify her parents, she may petition the juvenile court to bypass the notice requirement….after which a juvenile court may issue an order to bypass notice to the parents and allow the child and doctor to proceed with the abortion. (Guttmacher Institute: Parental Involvement in Minors Abortions – February 1, 2016)

Abortion-Related Reporting Forty-six (46) states require hospitals, facilities and physicians providing abortions to submit regular and confidential reports to the state. Fifteen (15) states require providers to indicate if the state mandates for abortion counseling and parental involvement were satisfied. (Guttmacher Institute’s Abortion Reporting Requirements – Feb. 1 2016 report) Georgia already requires such reporting, but it has not been happening. HB 555 will correct this situation by providing instruction for the collection and reporting of this data by the Young Court and the Administrative Office of the Court (AOC), so that the AOC can then give accurate, certain statistics to the Department of Public Health for their annual report as already required by state law. The bill requires nothing further but simply clarifies how this data will be gathered and transferred through the proper channels.

Our Georgia Juvenile Court Judges made suggestions to this language, to which we agreed, ensuring the data will be compiled in a form that will not be used to target certain judges that may or may not grant such petitions. This ensures that this data will be kept confidential, not be subject to an open records request, and destroyed after it has been compiled and reported.

The bill assures we will have an accurate picture of how many of our minor girls – when making this often difficult decision – feel forced to seek the protection of the Court and feel they must go outside the protection of their parents to do so.

Why is this reporting so important? Accurate facts regarding Georgia’s young women and their health decisions is always important. Where these circumstances exist and a child, under the age of 18 does not want to tell her parents that she wants an abortion – there are other tough issues. This is one of the most vulnerable places in which a young girl can find herself – unable to tell their own parents what she is facing and deciding. Note that this can apply to girls as young as 12!!

House Bill 555 ensures accountability for adults performing medical procedures on children without parental notice. If a doctor or clinic has a duty to not perform an abortion unless they notify the child’s parents, who holds them accountable? These reporting provisions provide a comparison to hopefully ensure compliance with the law. If a doctor is required to report whether or not parents have been notified – there should be a clear comparison of the same statistics (minor children seeking to bypass parental notification) coming from the juvenile courts – which should result in exact similar numbers. If a doctor reports he performed an abortion without parental notice – there should be a corresponding report from a juvenile court that the abortion was approved to proceed without parental notice.

Health data is extremely useful. The Centers for Disease Control maintains that “The public health approach to problem solving includes using surveillance data to identify problems and assess the effectiveness of interventions. Without accurate and timely data, public health programs suffer.”
HB 555 passed the State House on February 17th, 2016 with 119 Representatives voting in support, 51 voting against. It moved on to the Senate was assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Passing Committee with a 7-4 vote, on Monday March 7, it moved to Senate Rules Committee for consideration for the Senate Floor.

UPDATE: Governor Deal signed HB 555 on April 26, 2016 and it became Act 424. The law went into affect on July 1, 2016.
Visit the Georgia House website for more information.

Georgia Life Alliance is the Georgia affiliate of the National Right to Life. For More information about the work of GLA please visit: www.georgialifealliance.com, FB: GeorgiaLife and Twitter @GaLifeAlliance . 678-597-8055.

To support our work, please DONATE HERE.

GLA Certifies Pro-Life Records of Congressmen Collins, Loudermilk and Allen

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 21:18:00 GMT

ATLANTA- Today, Georgia Life Alliance Committee (GLAC) issued letters certifying as pro-life Congressional incumbents Doug Collins (R-Gainesville), Barry Loudermilk (R- Cartersville), and Rick Allen (R-Augusta).

“We are pleased to certify these incumbent Congressman with proven pro-life records. Congressman Doug Collins has a 100% pro-life voting record with every pro-life organization in Washington. His partnership in the national pro-life strategy of defunding Planned Parenthood through the Reconciliation bill, H.R. 3762, proved again his commitment to working together to save the unborn,“ said Executive Director Emily Matson. “Likewise, Barry Loudermilk is a long-time advocate for the unborn and has continued to consistently propound measures that are proven and forthright in protection of the unborn, including his support of the Reconciliation bill. Similarly, Rick Allen’s record is also 100% pro-life and he continues to speak and support the pro-life movement without fatigue. “

GLAC wholeheartedly supported the efforts of National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List, and other pro-life organizations in the joint-strategy to place H.R. 3762 – which would have defunded the overwhelming majority of Planned Parenthood’s government dollars – on the President’s desk. President Obama vetoed the measure on January 8, 2016. “The efforts of Georgia’s pro-life Congressmen, along with others from across the nation, successfully placed the first-ever litmus test on a President’s desk of whether he would defund the giant abortion provider. God-willing, this will not be the last time,” said Matson.

Georgia Life Alliance is the Georgia affiliate of National Right to Life.

###

Governor Deal Signs Positive Alternatives Grant Program Bill

Tue, 26 Apr 2016 12:15:00 GMT

ATLANTA- Georgia Life Alliance Committee (GLAC) proudly attended the signing of Senate Bill 308 today. S.B. 308 establishes the Positive Alternatives for Pregnancy and Parenting Grant Program. GLAC praises and thanks Senator Renee Unterman for championing this exciting and positive approach to saving the unborn.

The grant will provide funding for pregnancy support services throughout the state and which are offered for no charge by non-profits committed to helping women and men facing unplanned pregnancies.

“Positive Alternatives is a proven program in approximately 8 to 10 states across the country. This grant program helps to expand the established success of our non-profit Pregnancy Resource Centers which have existed for over forty years and which give women free care and support as they face unplanned pregnancies” said GLA Executive Director Emily Matson. “By creating this grant program, we are offering Georgia’s women true and genuine support as they make choices regarding their unborn babies. Our Pregnancy Resource Centers and Pregnancy Medical Clinics provide the perfect alternative to the profit-motivated abortion clinics where our women are solely a number and a payment.”

Senate Bill 308 received impressive support through the 2016 General Assembly, having been made a priority by the Senate Republican Caucus and passing both chambers by a wide margin. In addition, the 2017 budget provides an initial funding of $2 million. Georgia has approximately 70 Pregnancy Resource Centers which may apply for the grant and which provide care and support for over 25,000 women each year.

Georgia Life Alliance is the Georgia affiliate of National Right to Life.

###

Photo courtesy of the Governor’s office.
(L to R) Frank Mulcahy, Mary Boyert, Patricia Chivers, Jay Williams, Kristina Twitty, (GLA Dir of Operations), Senator Charlie Bethel, Gov. Nathan Deal,Senator Steve Gooch (co-sponsor), Jason Phillips (Atlanta Care Center), Irene Munn (Lt Gov Office), Talli ‘Keenan’ Moellering (Beacon of Hope) and Robin Barnard Mauck (PRC Gwinnett).
Not pictured: Renee Unterman (Senate Sponsor), Sharon Cooper (House Sponsor), Emily Matson (GLA Exec Dir).

Perinatal Hospice – Caring for a frail child in utero and those who love them.

Wed, 20 Apr 2016 04:22:00 GMT

Perinatal Hospice Series Introduction
by Kristina Twitty

Sunday’s Washington Post article on this subject has brought more attention to the care available for women facing the unknown of a medical diagnosis for their unborn baby. The public comments on these articles are everything from sweetly encouraging to raging anger at the suggestion that a frail child be carried as far as they can be. National Right to Life News Today responded with two posts. The first deals with the original story in the Post . The second addressed the “unexpected (and pleasant) fallout” of the Post story–a sympathetic article that appeared on a wildly pro-abortion web site. We’re thankful for their attention to this subject as we begin publishing this series on perinatal hospice.

The number of women who choose abortion due to a diagnosis of a fetal abnormality is so small that researchers rarely include the numbers in their reports, as noted in a 2013 series by National Right to Life. Even so, the diagnosis received are not always 100% accurate, nor are they 100% hopeless. Georgia Life Alliance first learned of the concept of Perinatal Hospice in the Summer of 2015, when I attended Notre Dame’s Vita Institute in South Bend, Indiana. I’d had already engaged in conversations at the Georgia Capitol about abortion in the case of a child diagnosed in utero with a potentially fatal illness or disability, so this was a welcomed introduction to an alternative to “early termination” of a frail or disabled child. A month later, just before the National Right to Life Convention in New Orleans, Dr. Byron Calhoun, and others presented on Perinatal Hospice. One of those others was Tracy Winsor, co-founder of Be Not Afraid in Marietta, GA. After connecting in New Orleans, Tracy and I began working together to lay out a plan for making Perinatal Hospice part of the conversation to promote a Culture of Life in Georgia. From that work and Tracy’s connection to this very difficult time for any parent, this series was developed.

We hope they are encouraging to you and that you will share them with your family, friends, pastors and doctors.

_____________________________________________

Part 1: What is Perinatal Hospice?
by Tracy Winsor

Perinatal hospice has been widely endorsed by prolife advocates because it provides an abortion alternative when a pregnancy is complicated by a prenatal diagnosis.

Perinatal hospice has been widely endorsed by prolife advocates because it provides an abortion alternative when a pregnancy is complicated by a prenatal diagnosis. About thirteen percent of women seeking abortions in the United States identify a ‘possible problems affecting the health of the fetus’ as a reason for terminating the pregnancy. [1] Only three percent indicated that it was ‘the most important reason’ for seeking abortion. [2] The availability of perinatal hospice support can reduce the number of abortions among parents experiencing a prenatal diagnosis, because most will carry to term when offered a service of comprehensive support. [3]

At the same time, it should not be assumed that all perinatal hospice service providers will encourage undecided parents to continue the pregnancy as the best medical option or even as a viable one. This is because many services are sponsored by or otherwise related to the hospitals that provide the abortions for parents who terminate at diagnosis. In these circumstances, often some of the medical providers supporting parents carrying to term are also supporting parents who abort.

Other community-based organizations providing perinatal hospice support may be unwilling to assert the benefits of carrying to term because they are reluctant to appear prolife. This may impact their willingness to share research that supports continuing the pregnancy. As a result, broadly characterizing perinatal hospice as a prolife response to prenatal diagnosis can be confusing when sometimes the outreach and information provided by individual perinatal hospice services may in fact be very abortion-neutral.

Recently, Mary O’Callaghan, a Public Policy Fellow in the Center for Ethics and Culture at the University of Notre Dame, and a regular lecturer at Notre Dame’s Vita Institute where she addresses the issue of abortion as it relates to prenatal diagnosis, surveyed perinatal hospice providers in her state. She found that the services often did not engage in outreach with undecided parents nor were they willing generally to assert the benefits of carrying to term. In some cases, they were unaware of the potential negative medical and emotional consequences of aborting at diagnosis. “It strikes me,” observes O’Callaghan, “that though they do much good work, there is a lack of intentionality regarding prolife advocacy.”

Frequently, parents experiencing a prenatal diagnosis are not provided with information concerning the option of carrying to term. Obstetric providers may offer abortion as the best option because they presume that ending the pregnancy at diagnosis will provide emotional benefits for the mother. On the contrary, research suggests that post-abortive mothers not only experience the same grief as those who carry to term, but are more likely to experience other emotional complications as well. If doctors fail to offer information regarding carrying to term, and perinatal hospice providers are unwilling to, parents may abort without ever knowing they had another option.

____________________
Tracy L. Winsor, MPA, is Cofounder of Be Not Afraid (BNA) , a private non-profit corporation whose mission is to provide comprehensive, practical, and peer-based support to parents experiencing a prenatal diagnosis and carrying to term. She can be reached directly at Tracy.Winsor@benotafraid.net .

NOTES:

[1] Finer et al., “Reasons U.S. Women Have Abortions: Quantitative & Qualitative Perspectives,” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2005, 37(3):110–118 ; www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3711005.pdf ; accessed October 20, 2011

[2] http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/abreasons.html

[3] M. D’Almeida et al., Perinatal Hospice: Family-Centered Care of the Fetus with a Lethal Condition, J. AMER. PHYSICIANS & SURGEONS 11:52 (2006); B.C. Calhoun & N. Hoeldtke, The Perinatal Hospice: Ploughing the Field of Natal Sorrow, 2005

Perinatal Hospice Part 2 can be found here .

_________________________________________________________________________

FDA EXPANSION OF ABORTION PILL USE STILL DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN CHEMICAL ABORTION IS SAFER

Mon, 04 Apr 2016 18:27:00 GMT

National Right To Life – The nation’s oldest and largest pro-life organization today warned that a decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow expanded use of the abortion drug RU-486 doesn’t mean an increase in safety for women using the abortion method. In response to the FDA’s action, the following statement may be attributed to National Right to Life Director of Education and Research Randall K. O’Bannon, Ph.D.

Many suspected that today’s announcement by the FDA was a long time coming. Despite a record of at least 14 known deaths, and thousands of women suffering significant adverse events, the FDA relaxed safety standards and modified the protocol for mifepristone/misoprostol chemical abortions that had been in place since September of 2000.

Certainly, none of the modifications is of any benefit to the unborn child.

For women, the mifepristone/misoprostol combination comes with significant cramping, bleeding, and other gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) that are expected parts of the chemical abortion process.

While it may be claimed that these side effects are supposed to be reduced with the new protocol, chemical abortions simply do not occur without significant bleeding, cramping, etc. That these side effects are similar to signs of ruptured ectopic pregnancy, serious infection, or may be the prelude to significant hemorrhage that could be missed by patients or even doctors expecting these as part of any chemical abortion would still appear to be a problem under any protocol.

It is clear whose interests it is the FDA is serving. It isn’t the women, and it isn’t the babies.

2016 Georgia Candidate Surveys

Wed, 23 Mar 2016 22:34:00 GMT

CLICK HERE FOR CANDIDATE LIST FOR SD 54 SPECIAL ELECTION: UPDATED CANDIDATE LIST and Material.

2016 Primary and General Election
Candidate Questionnaires Received

Georgia Senate District (SD)
SD 21 – Barlow Questionnaire 2016
SD 21 – Beach Questionnaire 2016
SD 24 – Edge Questionnaire 2016
SD 32 – Hill Questionnaire 2016
SD 34 – Reeves Questionnaire 2016
SD 46 – Cowsert Questionnaire 2016
SD 46 – Daughtery Questionnaire 2016
SD 53 – Mullis Questionnaire 2016
SD 56 – Albers Questionnaire 2016

Georgia Congressional District (CD)
CD 3 – Pace Questionnaire 2016
CD 11 – Cowan Questionnaire 2016
CD 11 – Llop Questionnaire 2016
CD 11 – Loudermilk Questionnaire 2016
CD 12 – Yu Questionnaire 2016
CD 14 – Tuck Questionnaire 2015

_______________________________________________________

The Georgia Life Alliance received the following candidate surveys during special elections in 2015:

Senate District 20

Larry Walker’s Completed Survey (Elected 12/1)

House District 122

Jodi Lott’s Completed Survey (Elected 12/1)

Keep HB 555 Alive for Unborn Lives!

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 14:02:00 GMT

Our pro-life legislators sponsored and fought for this bill to PASS. HB 555 will ensure:

1. 100% of Georgia’s women would have 100% information before choosing LIFE for their baby or an abortion.

We need CHAIRMAN SMITH to keep HB 555 ALIVE for unborn lives!

CALL HIS OFFICE TODAY – 404-656-6831 – ASK THAT HB 555 be passed with the Senate’s amendment!!

Georgia Life Alliance Committee

Please Take ACTION To Support HB 555 – Ensuring Accuracy in Women’s Healthcare Reporting

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 19:22:00 GMT

Last week, Georgia House Insurance Chairman, Richard Smith (R-Columbus) promised to kill a critical measure ensuring women get information prior to abortion. He needs to hear from you.

When first introduced in March of 2015, HB 555 had three parts.

1. To ensure all women seeking an abortion are given information required by law,
2. To ensure all fetal remains disposals are reported, and
3. To ensure the State Department of Public Health receives accurate numbers of girls under 18 obtaining an abortion through a judicial by-pass without a parent’s permission.

Before this bill even had a hearing in 2016, Chairman Smith struck parts 1 and 2. Part 3 passed the State House and went to the Senate. Last week, the Senate added Part 1 back into the bill by passing an amendment offered by Senator Cowsert. The amendment and the bill passed the Senate 37-17.

Upon HB 555’s return to the House, Chairman Smith has announced that either the Senate’s amendment be stripped from HB 555 or he will kill the bill.

As a crumb for the pro-life community, Chairman Smith will agree to HB 555 without the Senate’s amendment. As a promise to the abortion lobby , he will not agree to HB 555 if it ensures all abortion providers certify in every abortion that the patient has been provided informed consent prior to performing an abortion (surgical or chemical).

ACTION: Please call and email Rep. Richard Smith. Tell him to allow a vote on HB 555 as amended by the Senate to ensure doctors give women critical information about abortion and other options before they make life-altering choice.

CALL: 404.656.6831
EMAIL: richard.smith@house.ga.gov

Thanks for your support!

Two Reasons We Should be Wary of the Nomination of Judge Merrick Garland for Supreme Court Justice

Thu, 17 Mar 2016 19:53:00 GMT

The media was abuzz following the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to fill the vacancy created by Justice Antonin Scalia’s death. For those who believe our mission in protecting the unborn is a worthy cause,...

Use The Form Below To Call Your Representative In Support Of SB308

Tue, 08 Mar 2016 21:13:00 GMT

Call your Representative by filling out the form below. You will receive a call back from (770) 628-5434. Once you answer that call, you will be directly connected to your representative.

Here are a few things to remember:

Call for Action: Senate Bill 308 Positive Alternative for Pregnancy and Parenting

Tue, 08 Mar 2016 07:30:00 GMT

SB 308 will be heard in the House Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday afternoon, March 8.

As we have examined the call to protect the unborn, the question has not been WHAT can we do but WHICH option should we pursue and WHEN? Senate Bill 308 encompasses a reality that cannot be denied: The open doors and compassionate support of Georgia’s pregnancy care centers are the most effective tool we have to reach the abortion-minded woman.

The bill was introduced by Senator Renee Unterman, at the beginning of this session. It passed the Senate on February 11 with a vote of 38-16 in favor of the bill. Senator Unterman eloquently presented her legislation before the Senate and we are honored to work with her on this remarkable proposal. On February 19, we were elated to see initial funding for the program of $1,000,000.00 in the House’s proposed budget for FY 2017. We are seeking a total of $2,000,000.00 for the program.

Senate Bill 308 establishes the “Positive Alternatives for Pregnancy and Parenting Grant Program.” The stated purpose of the grant program is to promote healthy pregnancies and childbirth by awarding grants to not-for-profit organizations that provide free pregnancy support services throughout Georgia. The program will provide alternatives to abortion for Georgia’s women by redirecting state funding to pro-life pregnancy support services so that women seeking options will be encouraged to choose pregnancy and parenting or adoption.

Once passed, the following steps will occur:

According to Life Resources of Georgia, this program has the potential to impact over 25,000 Georgia women if our pregnancy centers simply continued to do business as usual. Our hope is that the grant will actually allow the Centers to impact many more!

Georgia Life Alliance is the Georgia affiliate of the National Right to Life. For More information about the work of GLA please visit: www.georgialifealliance.com , Facebook and Twitter .
For an interview, or to reach staff directly call: 678-597-8055.

Minor Abortion Reporting in Georgia

Mon, 07 Mar 2016 19:16:00 GMT

During the 2015 Legislative Session, Representative Joyce Chandler (R-Grayson) introduced HB 555. As it was originally written, this bill would have ensured that:

1) All abortion providers certify in every abortion, that the patient has been provided information required by the Women’s Right to Know law, prior to performing an abortion (surgical, or chemical), no matter where that abortion was performed.

2) Abortion providers report the disposal of fetal remains uniformly, regardless of the facility in which the abortion was performed or miscarriage occurred.

3) The Department of Public Health as accurate reporting on the number of minor girls obtaining an abortion without parental notice.

Last year, after one subcommittee hearing (but no vote) the bill did not make the “crossover day” deadline (Day 30 of the 40 day session) to move further in the legislative process. This year, a different subcommittee and also the full Insurance Committee passed a “substitute” bill which included just part three (3) of the original HB 555. This part on Juvenile Reporting passed the Georgia House on February 17 and the following will be limited to that part of the legislation.

Parental Notification Laws

There are 38 states in the nation that require either parental consent or parental notification prior to a minor female having an abortion.

(Guttmacher Institute: Parental Involvement in Minors Abortions – February 1, 2016)

Georgia requires parents be notified before an abortion may be performed on a minor. Where a minor girl does not want to notify her parents, she may petition the juvenile court to bypass the notice requirement….after which a juvenile court may issue an order to bypass notice to the parents and allow the child and doctor to proceed with the abortion.

Abortion-Related Reporting

Forty-six (46) states require hospitals, facilities and physicians providing abortions to submit regular and confidential reports to the state. Fifteen (15) states require providers to indicate if the state mandates for abortion counseling and parental involvement were satisfied.

(Guttmacher Institute’s Abortion Reporting Requirements – Feb. 1 2016 report)

Georgia already requires such reporting, but it has not been happening.

HB 555 will correct this situation by providing instruction for the collection and reporting of this data by the Young Court and the Administrative Office of the Court (AOC), so that the AOC can then give accurate, certain statistics to the Department of Public Health for their annual report as already required by state law. The bill requires nothing further but simply clarifies how this data will be gathered and transferred through the proper channels.

Why is this reporting so important?

Accurate facts regarding Georgia’s young women and their health decisions is always important. Where these circumstances exist and a child, under the age of 18 does not want to tell her parents that she wants an abortion – there are other tough issues. This is one of the most vulnerable places in which a young girl can find herself – unable to tell their own parents what she is facing and deciding. Note that this can apply to girls as young as 12!!

HB 555 passed the State House on February 17th, 2016 with 119 Representatives voting in support, 51 voting against. It has moved on to the Senate and been assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. We expect a hearing on this bill today, March 7th.

You can help.

If your Senator is on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, please email or call them and ask for their support for accuracy in reporting of minor children obtaining abortions without their parents involved. We owe it to Georgia’s children to care about their well-being, including those seeking an abortion, and especially those who feel they cannot turn to their parents.

Georgia Life Alliance Committee is the Georgia affiliate of the National Right to Life.

For More information about the work of GLA please visit: www.georgialifealliance.com, FB: GeorgiaLife and Twitter @GaLifeAlliance. 678-597-8055.

GLA Committee’s Update – Life at the Capitol

Fri, 04 Mar 2016 01:57:00 GMT

Much time, education, and persuasion is being spent on moving our legislative priorities through the process at the Capitol. Along the way, we have found great opportunities to unite our passion for protecting the unborn with the hearts of men and women legislators who care and are willing to invest their time to make a difference for life.

Senate Bill 308 passed the Senate on February 11 with a vote of 38-16 in favor of the bill. SB 308 establishes the “Positive Alternatives for Pregnancy and Parenting Grant Program.” The purpose of the legislation is to promote healthy pregnancies and childbirth by awarding grants to nonprofit organizations that provide pregnancy support services. Senator Renee Unterman eloquently presented her legislation before the Senate and we are honored to work with her on this remarkable proposal. On February 19, we were elated to see initial funding for the program of $1,000,000.00 in the House’s proposed budget for FY 2017. We are seeking a total of $2,000,000.00 for the program. SB 308 is now assigned to the House Health and Human Services Committee.

House Bill 555, originally introduced in 2015, was amended in the House Insurance Committee and then passed the House of Representatives on February 17 with a vote of 119-51. HB 555, as passed by the House, will ensure that statistics regarding minors seeking abortion without parental notice are accurately reported to the Department of Public Health. Statistical accuracy is key to understanding our state policy related to abortions and to analyzing what changes or improvements need to be made in the future. HB 555’s path through the legislative process is not without disappointment – as two key provisions of the bill were struck in committee: a provision to ensure that all physicians communicate the informed consent process before all abortions and a provision to ensure the disposal of fetal remains is being accurately reported. Despite losing these provisions, we are confident HB 555 will work to accomplish one of our goals: accuracy in understanding abortion incidents in Georgia. HB 555 is now assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

As indicated above, we have encountered additional opportunities to work with pro-life legislators and we want to voice our support for two other bills moving through the process:

Senate Bill 331 provides added protection for a mother when her child is conceived as a result of rape. The bill explicitly authorizes a court to deny custody or legitimation where the child is conceived in violation of Georgia’s rape statutes. SB 331 passed the Senate unanimously and is now assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. We support the passage of SB 331 as it addresses one reason why women may choose abortion – because of rape – and may help them to choose life for their child.

Senate Bill 3 is the “Supporting and Strengthening Families Act”. Sponsored by Senator Renee Unterman, the legislation passed the Senate with a vote of 43-10 in favor. SB 3 provides a statutory mechanism for parents to authorize a person of their choosing to care for and make decisions for their minor child on a short-term basis. Because this bill assists parents who cannot otherwise fulfill their parental duties and gives them an alternative to abandoning their child to the state, we support SB 3.

We will keep you updated with the progress on this legislation as well as any proposals affecting our mission to protect life.

The Georgia Life Alliance

Georgia Life Alliance Committee Lauds Positive Alternative of Senate Bill 308

Thu, 03 Mar 2016 22:43:00 GMT

Georgia Life Alliance Committee praises Senator Renee Unterman and the Georgia Senate for quick passage of Senate Bill 308. SB 308 establishes the “Positive Alternatives for Pregnancy and Parenting Grant Program.” The purpose of the legislation is to promote healthy pregnancies and childbirth by awarding grants to nonprofit organizations that provide pregnancy support services.

On February 11, Senator Unterman presented S.B. 308 to the Senate chamber, sharing stories of her personal interaction with local pregnancy centers, as well as her family’s adoption experiences and relationships with the birthmothers involved. After an approximate hour of debate, the bill passed the Senate with a vote of 38-16 in favor of the bill.

Georgia Life Alliance Committee fully supports the measure. The Positive Alternatives approach to helping pregnant women in Georgia is seen as a long-view answer to helping Georgia’s women and unborn babies. “Positives Alternatives programs are viable and growing in at least eight other states in the nation,” according to Executive Director Emily Matson. “The heart and passion of these centers and their volunteers is incomparable in its long-term impact upon the women and families they help. By establishing the grant program we will be helping Georgia’s pregnancy centers do what they do – with greater resources.”

If passed and fully funded, the Positive Alternatives program is expected to impact over 70 non-profit pregnancy centers throughout Georgia. Senate Bill 308 is now assigned to the Georgia House Health and Human Services Committee.

###

Supreme Eight To Hear Abortion Regulation Case: Hopeful Opportunity Or Potential Catastrophe?

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 19:41:00 GMT

It is “Super Tuesday” and I’m guessing you were expecting a presidential-related message? This is in fact a very presidential-related message. Because whoever is elected in November will assume the duty of nominating at least two Supreme Court justices during their tenure. Therefore, vote wisely.

Last month, the Supreme Court of the United States granted a Petition for Certiorari (fancy Latin for agreeing to review a lower court’s decision) on a case arising out of Texas, Whole Women’s Health et al v. Kirk Cole, Commissioner of Texas Department of State Health Services et al.. Petitioners challenge a decision by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding numerous provisions of an abortion clinic law recently passed by the Texas legislature. The earliest the case would be heard is in February.

The two specific laws at issue require (1) that doctors performing abortions have admitting privileges to a hospital within 30 miles of the facility in which the abortion is being performed and (2) that abortion clinics meet the same facility criteria as surgical facilities. Sounds like a regulation directed toward ensuring women undergoing abortions will have adequate access and continuity of care if the abortion goes wrong?

Not so say abortion advocates. In fact, they challenge the very fact that these laws will likely reduce abortions, citing this fact as a threat to public health. Their reasoning? The rate of unintended pregnancies will remain high and unhindered if abortion access is restricted. As if no access to abortion caused an unintended pregnancy?

The broader and more dangerous implication of this case is that the Petitioners have asked (and SCOTUS has apparently acquiesced) the Court to review the laws more broadly and give further explanation of the “undue burden test” set out in the case of Planned Parenthood v. Casey. The main thrust of this tactic is to hedge the Supreme Court into making a determination of whether laws which have the effect of reducing abortion access can ever fulfill the public interest test – and whether a court that finds the reduction of abortions to be a state interest is in error.

Frankly – this case poses a major risk to the work done by pro-life advocates across the Nation and for decades. Of note, Justices Thomas, Alito and Chief Justice Roberts, along with the late Justice Scalia, have already stated they would have denied the petition for Certiorari. Now – all eyes necessarily turn to Justice Kennedy as we analyze the future of abortion laws. We must be in prayer.

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED TO SUPPORT SB 308

Thu, 04 Feb 2016 21:38:00 GMT

Please WRITE or CALL the following Senators and Representatives in the Georgia legislature to ask them to SUPPORT and FUND the Positive Alternatives for Pregnancy and Parenting Grant Program.

This Positive Alternatives grant program has two legislative parts:
1. Senate Bill 308 (Sponsored by Senator Renee Unterman) establishes the grant program.
2. The House and Senate Appropriations committees will fund the grant through the Georgia budget.

Please WRITE or CALL these legislators and ask them to SUPPORT Senate Bill 308 and FUND the Positive Alternatives for Pregnancy and Parenting Grant Program with $2million so that pro-pregnancy and pro-childbirth voices impact the decisions of pregnant women in our Georgia. The Positive Alternatives grant program will give supplemental funding to existing non-profits that already provide FREE pregnancy support services and that have a primary mission to encourage pregnant women to bring their children to term.

The grant program specifically prohibits funds from being used by an entity that performs, refers for, or encourages abortion. GLA supports and is intricately involved in this legislation to ensure it successfully assists pro-life efforts like similar programs in Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Oklahoma – just to name a few.

Contact Information Below:
For PHONE numbers and to find YOUR Legislator, see the map here: http://openstates.org/ga/
You can click on your own area to see who your legislator is and find their contact information.

Happy Birthday…

Fri, 29 Jan 2016 22:14:00 GMT

January is known to pro-life people across the country as “Sanctity of Life” month and we remembered Roe v. Wade on Sanctity of Life Sunday, Jan 17, 2016. This post is a story shared with one of our staff. It is a story of loss. You may have your own story and know others who’ve been personally touched by abortion. Every story is different. Each hurt, deeply felt. Each life changed. Children never born, are still remembered.

First published in 2012, this is CJ’s story. (used with permission).

Happy Birthday To My Children I Didn’t Get To Meet

CJ Hallock is a small business owner. He and his wife live in northeast Tennessee. (Follow him: @CJHallock).

Sandra Cano – Never Give Up!

Wed, 27 Jan 2016 21:36:00 GMT

In 1970, Sandra Cano was in a complicated marriage, had two children in foster care and was pregnant. She was poor, uneducated and in her own words “ignorant…..[and[ in survival state.” She went to Atlanta Legal Aid for assistance with a divorce and had no option but to trust the help offered to her. Little did she know that her story and her person would be used to create a Party-Plaintiff for the companion case to Roe v. Wade called Doe v. Bolton.

Along with Roe v. Wad e, the Supreme Court entered an order in Doe v. Bolton which struck down several Georgia laws restricting abortion. Doe v. Bolton expanded the definition of the “health of the mother” justification for abortion and vastly broadened the rationale a party could use to obtain an abortion.

According to Sandra, she never sought an abortion nor did she want to kill her baby. In fact, before 1973, Sandra fled from Georgia to Oklahoma because she believed she would be forced to seek an abortion by the attorney or someone involved with her case. Throughout the rest of her life, she would argue against the facts and outcome of Doe v. Bolton , seeking for the truth to be known – and for that truth to undo the evil of Doe v. Bolton.

Sandra carried the pain and guilt of what happened in 1973, but she was resilient in seeking to undo the fraud and injustice. She is a testimony to us all to never give up, to not let guilt silence us, and to not let the people who fight against us steal our commitment to what is right!

Sandra passed away on September 30, 2014.

We honor her as our January 2016 Pro-Life Hero. May she rest in Peace!

Pastors – Sanctity of Human Life Petition

Fri, 22 Jan 2016 20:18:00 GMT

Kristina @georgialifealliance. com

706.622.2537

March for Life 2016 – Washington DC.

Fri, 15 Jan 2016 18:38:00 GMT

Marking the 43rd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, hundreds of thousands of pro-life men, women and children will be traveling to Washington, DC to march on Capitol Hill. This year, Georgia Life Alliance will be present to March with any Georgia Pro-lifers who would like to join us.

As the March beginning at 1pm, GLA Representative Susan Lataif will meet Georgia marchers who would like to march together on the NW Corner of 7th and Constitution with the GLA Banner.

We’d encourage any planning to attend to call ahead and make an appointment with your Senators and Congressman, being aware that you will be required to pass through metal detectors to enter any House and Senate Buildings.

Rally Bus: For those of you looking for bus transportation, there are about 40 spots left to confirm the trip leaving from and returning to Atlanta, going up (arriving at 11am) and coming back over-night. Cost is $160 RT. Details here: http://rallybus.net/marchforlife/

You can find more information about the March here: http://marchforlife.org/mfl-2016/rally-march-info/

Schedule

11:45 a.m. Musical Opening
12:00 p.m. Rally
1:00 p.m. March

We’d love to hear from you! If you go, tag your photos with #GLAmarch to encourage others unable to attend.

Georgia Legislative Session – Day 1

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 20:03:00 GMT

Today marked Day 1 of the Georgia 2016 Legislative Session.

Kristina Twitty, GLA’s Director of Operations was on-site today to encourage a culture of life in Georgia, under the Gold Dome. We’ll be working on two pieces of legislation this year.

The first is HB 555 – Ensuring Accuracy in Women’s Healthcare Reporting. Rep. Joyce Chandler (R-Grayson) introduced HB 555 in 2015.

If it becomes law, HB 555 will:

– Ensure all abortion providers certify in every abortion that the patient has been provided informed consent prior to performing an abortion (surgical or chemical)

– Ensure abortion providers report the disposal of fetal remains uniformly regardless of the facility in which the abortion is performed

– Ensure the Department of Public Health has accurate reporting on the number of minor girls obtaining an abortion without parental notice.

Secondly, GLA is excited about the opportunity to further support our closest allies in this battle to protect the unborn – our Pregnancy Resource Centers? These not-for-profit partners are essential in reaching the hearts and needs of women facing the difficult path of an unplanned pregnancy. We expect to see the Georgia Legislature and our friend, Senator Renee Unterman, take this partnership to heart and support the Centers with some exciting legislation.

We’d love to have you join us in this effort by calling your Legislator to thank them for their pro-life stand and encourage their protection of the unborn. Find your legislator’s information here.

Twitter is a great way to follow us more closely @GaLifeAlliance.

GLA Internships – Apply Now

Mon, 21 Dec 2015 16:57:00 GMT

Pro-Life College-aged (or older) students – consider applying for a Spring I or Spring II internship. Information is on the flyer below!

December Pro-Life Heroes

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 20:46:00 GMT

Over three decades ago, Peter and Martha Badolato embraced the mission of fighting for the Right to Life!

Peter and Martha live in Marietta, Georgia. In 1984, and with the humble leadership of their fellow Holy Family parishioner, Daphne Madol, they began a weekly trek to the abortion clinic in Chamblee, the Northside Women’s Clinic. Once at the clinic, Peter and Martha would join with others in praying that this clinic would close and that the women seeking freedom from their pregnancy would choose LIFE instead. After almost 10 years of holding prayer vigil each Saturday outside the clinic, their leader Daphne Madol lost a fight with disease and passed away. Peter and Martha assumed the role of leading this weekly vigil and continued the weekly unwavering commitment to pray for an end to abortion at this clinic. Finally, in 2013, as they arrived on a Saturday morning to pray, they learned the abortion clinic had closed the prior week and there were no more babies being terminated within the facility walls.

What a blessing! What a relief!! Peter and Martha are a testimony to all of us of the longsuffering, unwavering path we must be on to fight this good fight!!! They also testify to the all-powerful, hand of God in His listening to our prayers and effecting His will against our foes. We honor Peter and Martha Badolato as our Pro-Life Heros this month.”

Life at the Capitol

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 22:17:00 GMT

As we begin our 2nd year at the Capitol, Georgia Life Alliance Committee continues to build relationships with Legislators and organizations to encourage a culture of life in Georgia. This year, Director of Operations Kristina Twitty will be at the Capitol on a daily basis, tracking legislation which touches on life-related issues, as well as advocating for our own positively pro-life agenda.

Last year, HB 555 was introduced, sponsored by Representative Joyce Chandler (R-Grayson) and co-signed by 19 others. HB 555 is will bring some clarity to the reporting requirements already in the law related to informed consent previous to an abortion procedure and children under the age of 18 using the parental bi-pass process to have an abortion without their parents knowledge.

This year, SB 308 was introduced by Senator Renee Unterman (R-Buford), along with about a dozen other Senators to create a grant program available for Pregnancy Resource Centers to continue the great work they do across Georgia and the services they provide to women facing an unplanned pregnancy. Executive Director, Emily Matson, has been involved in crafting both pieces of legislation and continues to be involved in efforts to influence the process and legislation related to the unborn and women who carry them.

Please be on the lookout for our updates and from time to time, a Call to Action. Please share them with a friend and follow the work of Georgia Life Alliance on Facebook and Twitter as well. Click House and Senate for more information on the process and schedule of the Georgia Legislature.

Name

National Adoption Month – Interview Part 2

Mon, 23 Nov 2015 21:57:00 GMT

As a part of our Georgia Life Alliance’s celebration of National Adoption Month, we are posting part 2 of our 2-part interview with Stephen Story, Executive Director of Covenant Care Services. If you missed part 1 of our interview, view it here.

We continue this interview this week beginning with a question we hear a lot, related to resources for adoption.

What resources are available for families adopting?

Financially, there is a broad and ever-growing range of resources. At the national level there’s the Federal Adoption Tax Credit ($13,190 for tax year 2014). This resource alone often makes adoption financially feasible in a way that it would not be otherwise. There are national non-profits like The ABBA Fund and Lifesong for Orphans, to name just two that provide grants and interest-free loans for adopting families. On the state and local level, there are a number of faith-based organizations providing adoption assistance who live in a certain geographic area or attend certain churches. Promise686 and Chosen for Life Ministries are two organizations in Georgia, and there are others like them. A growing number of local churches provide adoption assistance funds for families within the church who are adopting. Aside from all of this, the State of Georgia provides financial assistance for some situations involving the adoption of a child with special needs.

The financial cost is one of the first things that scares many people away from the adoption process. However, in the end, it often becomes one of the most powerful and moving parts of the adoption journey, as God provides for families who are adopting and resources of the community come together in support of an adoptive family.

What are some ways that singles, unable to adopt, be part of this effort?

Those who are not married may be in the unique position of working in orphan prevention by helping those who need temporary, not permanent, support. Single foster parents can be some of the most effective in pouring into a child and birth family in need, and, thereby being part of the redemptive work that alleviates the need for adoption. Also, anyone who has a heart for adoption ministry but is not currently called to adopt (single or not!), is in a wonderful position of supporting those who are called to adoption. Support can be through direct service in babysitting, providing meals for newly adoptive families, or assisting them with fundraising prior to placement. Support can also be through indirect means, such as prompting the positive aspects of adoption through your local church or community, or volunteering for a local agency which does adoption ministry. If there’s a desire to get involved, there’s a way to get involved!

As part of our mission, here at Georgia Life Alliance, we are big on the “Alliance” part of growing a culture of life in Georgia. So would you please speak directly to that by telling us what the Pro-life Community need to know about adoption?

That there is incredible opportunity to expand the work of adoption! Adoption is a much smaller piece of pro-life work than many people assume. Pregnancy Resource Centers all over the state consistently see a very small percentage of their clients choose adoption. They share with us (and we’ve seen ourselves) what a difficult thing it is to present the option of adoption to a woman who is pregnant. So there continues to be opportunity for the pro-life community to better understand adoption and better advocate for adoption as an alternative to abortion.

There also is a need for churches to become more knowledgeable about adoption, and to understand how to promote and encourage adoption within a local congregation. There is a need for more adoptive parents within the African American community. There is a need for parents willing to adopt children who come out of difficult or troubling circumstances.

Adoption is one of the most logical and tangible answers that we can give to abortion in our state, and there remains tremendous work to be done in this regard.

Why do you believe it is so important for the church family to promote adoption and adopt themselves?

Because we who are Christ-followers have experienced the greatest adoption possible! Scripture speaks about our salvation a number of different ways, and one of the most powerful ways our salvation is explained is using the language of adoption. In Galatians 4 we read that the entire reason Jesus came to earth was, “to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” We then read that because of our adoption into God’s family, we have received the Spirit of His Son so that we can address God as “Father.” In Ephesians 1 we read, “In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ.” Our salvation is an adopting salvation! Out of the richness and abundance of what we have already received from God, we should love, promote and encourage physical adoption, and even engage in adoption ourselves.

Considering all the reasons to encourage adoption, what do you think keeps couples from adopting?

Not everyone should adopt. But my guess is that there are people who could pursue adoption but who don’t for one reason or another. One of those reasons is simply lack of clarity about what adoption is or where to begin. There are so many different ways in which to pursue adoption that it can be overwhelming. Adoption doesn’t happen by accident, it takes some intentionality and persistence, and some people just don’t know where to start. Thankfully, this is something we can address by educating people on what adoption is and where to begin.

Fear is another very common hindrance for many people. There are so many things that we can find to be afraid of! Fear about the money, fear about the process, fear about what others will think, fear about what the child will think, fear of the unpredictable nature of parenting in general, and so on. For those of us who are Christ-followers, we thankfully have a Bible that is full of stories about God answering the fears of His people. He provides the things that we need, and most importantly He gives us Himself to ease our fears. This is true for all of life, and it is certainly true in adoption.

How can we best encourage adoption among our own circles of influence?

Talk about adoption. Celebrate it! Tell the stories of those who have experienced it first-hand. Encourage those who are considering adoption, and look for tangible ways to express your support. Especially if you know a birth parent considering adoption for his or her own child, affirm for them that making an adoption plan is a good and loving thing to consider.

I would love to see a culture in Georgia that embraces adoption as a positive choice. Especially as we think about birthmothers, there is so much room for us to improve how we as a culture think about a woman who makes an adoption plan for her child. A woman who chooses adoption for her child is doing a loving and noble thing. We should honor her decision, and we should honor her. This means creating a culture where it is safe for her to talk about her decision without being made to feel ashamed. These women are not “giving up” their children, they are making a responsible plan for the future of their child. That’s something we should all be able to respect and celebrate.

Thank you, again for all you and the CCS staff do to love on birth mothers, adoptive parents and babies in Georgia. Thank you for helping to equip us to better understand how we can help encourage adoption as well.

+++++++++++++++++++++

Stephen Story is the Executive Director of Covenant Care Services, a Christian adoption agency based in Macon and serving all of Georgia. Covenant Care specializes in domestic, infant adoption and works to promote adoption as an alternative to abortion. More information on Covenant Care is available at www.CovenantCareAdoptions.com . Stephen and his wife are originally from Augusta and are parents of three children through adoption. Connect with Stephen on Twitter @StephenPStory.

National Adoption Month – An Interview With Covenant Care’s Stephen Story

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 20:49:00 GMT

November is National Adoption Month so we reached out to one of our friends in the Adoption world to get a better understanding of the adoption landscape in Georgia, specifically through the eyes of someone who works to promote adoption full time. Our interview is with Stephen Story, Executive Director of Covenant Care Services, based in Macon, serving all of Georgia. We hope this interview will help each of us better promote adoption and a love for life to grow a culture of life in Georgia.

Below is Part 1 of a 2 Part article. Please share with your pastors, friends, family and children. Each one of us has a circle of influence and that’s the most important place to encourage life. Enjoy!

First of all, Stephen, thank you for agreeing to this interview to help us get a better grasp on adoption. When someone hears the word “adoption” many people think adopting from foster care. I know that your focus is on adoption at birth, by developing an adoption plan with the mother who has made a decision not to parent her child. So why don’t we start with the very basic. What is adoption?

Adoption is the process by which a person (usually a child) who is not biologically related to a particular family is welcomed into and made a part of that family. It is certainly a legal process, but it is also an emotional and spiritual process. Rightly understood, adoption establishes a relationship in which the adopted person has the same rights, privileges, relationships, and obligations as someone who was biologically born into the adopting family.

I understand that Covenant Care Services focuses on infant adoption, so can you tell us how many infants were adopted in GA last year?

Reliable, state level adoption statistics are not always the most up-to-date. The most recent numbers I’ve seen from the National Council for Adoption show that in 2007 there were 819 unrelated, domestic infant adoptions in Georgia. For comparison, that same year there were 27,510 abortions in Georgia. [1]

How many children (including foster children) were adopted in Georgia last year?

Again, these numbers are reliable but not terribly recent. According to the National Council for Adoption, in 2007 there were 3,285 related and unrelated domestic adoptions, including adoptions out of foster care, in Georgia. [2]

Knowing that the state does intervene in many cases, can you tell us how many of those children are still in foster care and how many of those are children have had their parents’ rights terminated, making them eligible for adoption?

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Georgia had approximately 11,000 children in foster care in 2014; 2,370 of these children have a goal of adoption, although not all are currently ready to be adopted. So out of that group, there are 250 children who are currently available for adoption and awaiting an adoptive family. [3]

Many people think that adoption is cost-prohibitive. Would you help us understand the costs involved?

Adoption costs vary greatly and depend on a range of factors. Is the adoption international or domestic? Is it through a public agency or a private agency? Does the adoption agency have funding other than adoption fees, or do their fees cover the entirety of what it costs the organization to operate?

I can speak most knowledgeably about Covenant Care — we are a private, non-profit adoption agency and adoption fees cover only about one third of our operating expense. Our fees are on a sliding scale based on the adopting family’s income, so each family’s situation is unique. However, fees for a typical Covenant Care adoption are $15,000 – $20,000. That’s a lot of money, but it’s still just a portion of what it costs us to make that adoption happen. We do a tremendous amount of fundraising to cover the remainder of our expenses so that adoption remains as affordable as possible for the adopting families we serve. I should also point out that there are minimal fees to adopt a child from state foster care, and fees for international adoption can vary greatly.

One of the primary reasons domestic adoption is costly is that the process is incredibly time-intensive. At Covenant Care we provide regular, ongoing counseling for clients who are pregnant and considering adoption. We may meet with and counsel a pregnant client for weeks or even months before she gives birth, and at that point she may decide to parent the child instead of placing for adoption. We never charge a pregnant client for the counseling we provide, so in a situation like this we will have provided dozens of hours of counseling without receiving any adoption fees in return. It’s not uncommon for us to provide that level of service to five or six clients before one of them follows through with an adoption plan. Our first concern is informing and educating the client and letting her make her own decisions regarding adoption. However, these costs do add up for the adoption agency, and this is one of the reasons that adoption can be so costly.

On the adoptive family side, state law requires a rigorous “home study” process in order to approve a family to adopt. This process also takes months of work and counseling to ensure that a family is prepared and equipped for this. Making an adoption happen — both on the birth parent side and the adopting family side — is a slow, tedious, and costly process.

Thank you, Stephen, for all you do through CCS and for being such an encouraging example for adoption here in Georgia.

+++++++++++++++++++++

[1] [ Adoption Factbook V, National Council for Adoption, p. 12] [ http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6001a1.htm?s_cid=ss6001a1_w ]

[2] [ Adoption Factbook V, National Council for Adoption, p. 12]

[3] [ http://www.adoptuskids.org/for-families/state-adoption-and-foster-care-information/georgia ]

Sanctity of Life Sunday 2016

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 16:30:00 GMT

It’s only November, but January will be here before you know it. The 2016 State Legislative Session will begin and we will remember another anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, making abortion rights the “law of the land.”

Some of you took advantage of our offer for Sanctity of Human Life Sunday bulletin inserts/flyers for your Pregnancy Center supporting churches, and congregations. If you’d like to participate with us this year, we’d love to have you join us.

Last year, we got the cost to $.25 each and this year, we’ve secured a price of $.10 each.

Shipping will be done by Priority Mail: $5.75 for any order less than 500 and $12.65 for orders from 500-1,500.

To participate with us, NO later than Dec 10th , please place your order on-line to hold your quantity below. And mail your check with printed form to GA Life Alliance ( SOHL ) 3 Central Plaza, #187, Rome, GA 30161.

Option 1: Life Is Precious

Option 2: Jesus Loves the Little Children

November Edition of National Right To Life News

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 14:02:00 GMT

The November Edition of National Right To Life News is out. Click here or the cover below to read the latest in the pro-life movement.

Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Texas Pro-Life Law

Fri, 13 Nov 2015 13:54:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court today agreed to hear a challenge to a 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision that upheld most of a Texas omnibus pro-life law. At issue are two provisions of HB 2, which the Texas legislature passed in 2013, that abortion clinics meet the same building standards as ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) and that abortionists have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital for situations of medical emergencies. The latter has already gone into effect.

“The abortion industry doesn’t like these laws because abortion clinics would be forced to spend money to meet basic health and safety standards” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “For them, this isn’t about ‘protecting’ the women they purport to help, it’s about preserving their cash flow.”

On June 9 , a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, largely upheld the contested provisions. With minor exceptions, they concluded the provisions did not create an “undue burden” on a woman’s right to abortion.

Ten days later, after the panel declined to grant the challengers a stay, the clinic filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court. On July 27, 2015, the Court voted 5-4 to put the 5th Circuit’s ruling on hold. Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito voted against the delay.

The coalition of abortion providers, who brought this lawsuit, argues that the effect of the law will be to close many abortion clinics, thus creating an “undue burden” on the right of women to have an abortion.

However, as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote in a 44-page brief to the Supreme Court:

Petitioners ignore the fact that under the Fifth Circuit’s decision, which granted as-applied relief in McAllen, every metropolitan area with an abortion facility operating today in Texas will still have an operating abortion facility if the ruling takes effect

“If an abortionist closes up because he can’t meet these most basic medical standards, that’s a good thing for the mothers who would be targeted and the unborn children who would be killed,” said Tobias.

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates and more than 3,000 local chapters, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement, NRLC works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.

# # #

H.R. 3762 Dismantles Obamacare and Slashes Funding for PPFA

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 17:38:00 GMT

On October 23, the U.S. House of Representatives will consider H.R. 3762, the Restoring Americans’ Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act.

Georgia Life Alliance strongly supports this measure in Washington to dismantle the massively flawed academic experiment of Obamacare. Not only has Obamacare failed to improve or protect healthcare for our citizens, but it is laden with provisions which erode both the rights of unborn children and adults at risk of the rationing of healthcare. H.R. 3762 also includes a specific provision to block, for one year, almost all federal payments to affiliates of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and which perform elective abortions. This provision applies to the money pipeline including specific family planning funding and Medicaid as well as the CHIP, Title V and XX block grant programs. In total, it would cut off approximately 89% of all federal funds to Planned Parenthood. Consequently, the monies taken from Planned Parenthood are reallocated to community health centers.

As Georgia Congressman Tom Price stated in his report from the Committee on the Budget:

“Obamacare must be dismantled. The aim is not only to reject this illegitimately conceived government expansion, which still–more than 5 years after its enactment–lacks the support of even a simple majority of the American public. It is not just to replace one national health program with another. The point is to discard the entire pretense of nationalized medicine, and recognize that health care works best when it promotes the most important and basic relationship in medicine–the one between the patient and the doctor. Everything else in the $3 trillion health care network–hospitals, nurses, technicians, medical device makers, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, health insurers, and many more–revolves around that fundamental partnership. ”

We urge our Georgia Congressman to vote “yea” on both the roll call vote and the final passage of H.R. 3762.

Is Your Church a Pro-Life Church?

Wed, 07 Oct 2015 20:35:00 GMT

You can download an audio recording of that conversation here.

Mary Boyert – GLA Pro-Life Hero – October 2015

Mon, 05 Oct 2015 15:59:00 GMT

Every month we’ll honor an activist, elected official, candidate, or pastor who has dedicated their life to protecting the unborn in Georgia. This month’s, our first ever honoree is Mary Boyert:

Mary Boyert has fought for the protection of the unborn in Georgia since 1978. Mary has persistently devoted herself to the pro-life cause, having served as the President (1980-1986) and then Executive Director of Georgia Right to Life (1986-2000) and more recently as the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Director (2000-2015). Mary’s patient methods,institutional history, and servant-spirit have achieved an unprecedented respect among the pro-life community, whether in the local parish or in the halls of the State Capitol. Throughout her tenure, the rate of abortions in Georgia has steadily decreased and Mary can be credited with essential participation in legislative achievements to that end: including Georgia’s Parental Notification law, the Womans Right to Know Act, requiring ultrasounds be made available to abortion clinic patients, and efforts to ensure no taxpayer funding for abortions in Georgia. Mary has achieved much and despite her supposed retirement this summer, we at GLA are hopeful that she will travel down to the Capitol at least a few more legislative sessions and help those of us still pounding the marble tiles for justice for the unborn!

Lt. Governor Cagle Offers Real Alternative to Abortion Provider Funding

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 19:23:00 GMT

Georgia’s Lt. Governor Casey Cagle said what pro-life advocates in Georgia want to hear from all our pro-life lawmakers. In a letter addressed to the Department of Community Health and the Department of Public Health, Lt. Governor Cagle formally requested the Departments prepare “a plan to ensure not one penny of Georgia tax dollars is spent supporting Planned Parenthood clinics either through contracts or through provider payments.”

But in addition to this directive, Lt. Governor Cagle has actually highlighted the opportunity to support a tried and tested provider of women’s healthcare in our state : our medical pregnancy resource centers. These non-profit organizations exist across the state in urban and rural areas and provide free care for Georgia’s pregnant women.

At least eighty (80) pregnancy centers in Georgia offer free assistance to women. According to Donna Perry of Life Resources of Georgia, a statewide pregnancy help organization that assists sixty-five (65) of Georgia’s pregnancy centers, the centers saw 25,699 new clients and conducted 22,793 free pregnancy tests in 2014. LRG assists at least thirty-nine (39) actual pregnancy medical clinics which provided 9,706 free ultrasounds in 2014.

Numerous states have already seen the potential for meeting women’s healthcare needs through non-profit pregnancy centers. These include, but are not limited to, Minnesota, Kansas, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Colorado and Texas. Some programs have existed for over twenty (20) years and have seen the benefit of directing state dollars to these truly non-profit organizations dedicated to healthy mothers and babies. For example, Minnesota routinely directs $2,000,000.00 of its annual budget through a carefully designed grant program offering alternatives to abortion. As a result, Minnesota has seen the rate of abortion go down as women are assisted in exercising the choice to save their unborn children.

Georgia Life Alliance is committed to exploring these positive alternatives and is grateful to Lt. Governor Cagle for his creative and direct instruction to our state agencies to look into these opportunities.

Majority Of U.S. Senate Votes To Advance Pain-Capable Child Protection Act, But Democrats Block Consideration

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 19:23:00 GMT

Since January of this year, the fight against our Nation’s biggest shame – abortion – has heated up. We’ve seen a successful vote on at least four major pro-life laws in Washington: the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36), the No Tax Payer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 7), the Defund Planned Parenthood Act (H.R.3134) and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 3504) have all passed the United States House of Representatives. We’ve seen the largest abortion provider – Planned Parenthood – quivering as the curtain is pulled back on its inhumane practices. And we’ve heard the cries of millions of American’s to stop the government-funding of this pathetic corporation.

On Tuesday, a majority of US Senators vote for the Senate version of the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, but a minority of extremist Senators blocked passage of the bill. The NRLC committee released the following statement:

A majority of the U.S. Senate today voted to advance the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36), but on a near party-line vote, a minority blocked consideration of the bill.

Fifty-four (54) senators (51 Republicans and three Democrats) voted to take the bill up for debate, but 60 votes were required. The motion was opposed by 42 senators (two Republicans and 40 Democrats), with four senators absent (one Republican and three Democrats).

The bill would extend federal protections to unborn children who have reached 20 weeks fetal age (22 weeks of pregnancy), with certain exceptions, and to babies who are born alive during late abortions.The bill was developed from model legislation offered by National Right to Life in 2010, enacted thus far in 12 states . The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives on May 13 , 242-184.

The Senate companion bill, S. 1553, is sponsored by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and co-sponsored by 45 other Republican senators, including fellow presidential contenders Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). It was opposed by presidential candidate Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.).

To view National Right to Life’s most recent letter to the Senate in support of the bill, click here .

National Right to Life President Carol Tobias said, “Today’s majority vote is not a defeat, but a stepping stone towards victory. One-fourth of premature infants now survive when born at this stage – and there is strong evidence that they experience great pain, as they are torn limb from limb in late abortions.” A paper by Tobias challenging “media myths” about the bill is available here .

Some of the extensive evidence that unborn children have the capacity to experience pain, at least by 20 weeks fetal age, is available on the National Right to Life website at www.nrlc.org/abortion/ fetalpain and also here: www.doctorsonfetalpain.com .

Where Major Presidential Candidates Stand On Life?

Mon, 14 Sep 2015 18:36:00 GMT

National Right to Life put together a great summary of where the presidential candidates stand on three important pro-life issues: Roe V. Wade, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, and defunding Planned Parenthood.

Where does your candidate stand on life issues? Read below to find out and share with your friends and family.

Georgia Life Alliance is Georgia’s statewide affiliation of National Right To Life. We encourage you to share this information far and wide.

Another Video, Another Low in the Dehumanization of Human Life

Thu, 03 Sep 2015 17:12:00 GMT

WASHINGTON –This morning The Center for Medical Progress (CMP) released their ninth video in a series exposing the gruesome business of baby-body-part harvesting and trafficking, often involving affiliates of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the nation’s largest abortion provider.

“Planned Parenthood now commands more than one-third of the total abortion ‘market’,” said Carol Tobias, National Right to Life president. “We fully support investigations into many aspects of this grisly business. Planned Parenthood equals abortion.”

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s largest provider of abortions – at least one-third of all abortions in the U.S. are performed at Planned Parenthood-affiliated facilities. According to their most recent annual report , Planned Parenthood received at least $528 million annually from the federal government or other levels of government.

Based on data from their own annual report from 2008-2009, nearly one in eight women walking through the door of a Planned Parenthood clinic has an abortion. A background memo from National Right to Life is here .

These videos by the CMP provide additional grounds for thorough investigation by congressional committees, and by appropriate authorities in affected states, as to whether infants are being born alive during abortion procedures, and then killed during the process of harvesting their organs.

The federal Born-Alive Infants Protection Act (BAIPA, Public Law 107-207) defines “born alive” as meaning “the complete expulsion or extraction from his or her mother of that member [of the species homo sapiens], at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut, and regardless of whether the expulsion or extraction occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean section, or induced abortion.”

The federal law says that any “member of the species homo sapiens” who is “born alive,” by this definition, is a “person” and a “child” for all federal law purposes. Note that BAIPA explicitly applies “at any stage of development” — i.e., whether or not the baby’s lung development has reached the point where long-term survival is possible (“viability”).

“These videos continue to highlight the need for legislation such as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act.” Said Tobias

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee ( NRLC ), the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates and more than 3,000 local chapters, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement, NRLC works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.
# # #

Congressman Loudermilk Urges Action For Life

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 22:58:00 GMT

Great Op-Ed by U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk. It’s one thing to point out the inhumanity of Planned Parenthood’s actions, but we must also be active participants in the movement for life.

Please take a moment to read an excerpt below and if it inspires you, take a moment to join us today .

“As undercover videos of Planned Parenthood’s activities have come to light by the Center for Medical Progress, it’s time to take a hard look at our culture and ask some tough questions. Has our national conscience been so dulled that we no longer have a basic sense of right and wrong? Have we been so blinded by a perverted sense of individual liberty that we now believe human life is nothing more than a commodity? Have we so devalued the most basic gift of God, a human life, that we can casually describe how to best preserve the most profitable parts of a baby, over lunch?

Our nation should be outraged by what these investigative videos have uncovered and demand that the government put an immediate end to these unspeakable atrocities. But relying on Washington to eradicate this problem is not enough….

While government can, and should, react strongly and decisively to address this atrocity, what we are really facing in this nation is a cultural issue. The nonchalant attitude of Planned Parenthood employees discussing the price of infants’ body parts over lunch is evidence of a growing disrespect for the value of human life. I believe this has been brought on by a general disregard for what the Founders called the “laws of nature and of nature’s God” — in other words, a standard moral code….

My office is working hard to bring a bill to the floor that will stop all funding for Planned Parenthood. The president has said he will veto attempts to defund the organization, but that should not deter us from doing what is moral, right and expected. However, no matter how hard we push in Washington or in our state, none of this will happen without an outraged public demanding action and accountability.

My father taught me that if there is something that you don’t like, you have two choices: You can do something to change the situation, or you can accept it as inevitable and go on with your life. If the actions of Planned Parenthood offend you, you should take action; otherwise, nothing will change. The people can call for government and private industry to stop funding these atrocities. We are still a government of the people, and your voice is power, but only if you use it. What choice will you make?”

You can read the full Op-Ed here.

Unconscionable – The Latest From Planned Parenthood

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 16:11:00 GMT

We would imagine that both pro-life and pro-abortion groups alike are trying to reframe the messages and images from these videos to either advance or defend their respective agendas. But like the crowd in the story of the “Emperor’s New Clothes”, we have zoned in on describing the “clothes” – or in this case negotiated pricing of the harvested baby parts – and maybe deemphasized the nakedness of this story: the small, helpless, and completely human child that has been murdered for a price.

These are little humans, with little lips and little feet. They are helpless, hiding safely in their mother’s uterus. They are insulated by the amniotic fluid in the soft darkness of the womb and ignorant of the battle for choice fiercely raging outside. And then, after a free pregnancy test, standard STD testing, a $125.00 ultrasound (or free one obtained at the local Pregnancy Care Center), and a final $600.00 cash or credit card payment, the abortion doctor proceeds to abnormally and violently end the small innocent life. But for the money changing hands and the doctor willing to do the deed, that little life would likely continue its quiet, steady, beautiful growth into a soft, needy, innocent human whose presence is celebrated and life protected by all laws.

Help us at Georgia Life Alliance fight the plague of abortion. Help us TODAY by:

1. Sharing the truth of abortion through liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter .

2. Partnering with Georgia Life Alliance by making a donation today: DONATE HERE.

3. Praying for the woman who is this minute deciding whether or not to abort the child living and growing inside of her.

Working together to Grow a Culture of Life,

Emily Matson

Will The Media Continue To Ignore Planned Parenthood’s Trafficking Of Baby Body Parts?

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 19:32:00 GMT

The Center for Medical Progress (CMP) today released another video in a series exposing the baby body part harvesting and trafficking conducted by affiliates of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the nation’s largest abortion provider. This is the sixth such video released by CMP uncovering the gruesome nature of Planned Parenthood’s huge abortion business.

“If it seems disturbing and repulsive to proudly flaunt participation in the killing of a human life, that’s because it is,” said Carol Tobias, National Right to Life president. “In previous videos, that’s exactly what we’ve seen Planned Parenthood officials doing – with total disregard for the unborn children whose body parts are being harvested.”

The series of videos by the Center for Medical Progress have highlighted the need for legislation such as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act, and has renewed efforts to end Planned Parenthood’s taxpayer funding. Earlier this month, Senate Democrats blocked a measure (S. 1881), introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), that would cut off federal funding of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliates. Several states, including Alabama, Louisiana and New Hampshire have moved to cease state funding of Planned Parenthood affiliates.

Despite this outcry for action by elected officials and the introduction of pro-life legislation, a Monmouth University poll released on August 4 found that the news media continues to take its cues from Planned Parenthood and their crisis communications firm and treat the videos as a non-story. The poll found that an astounding 53% had not seen or heard news about the CMP videos.

“It’s an unconscionable breach of the public trust that the mainstream news media allows itself to be herded like cattle by Planned Parenthood and their crisis-consultants, ignoring the grisly revelations about Planned Parenthood’s abortion business” Tobias said.

Journalists who wish to engage in original reporting about Planned Parenthood and their abortion business, may find useful a documented background memo released by National Right to Life on August 4 , which highlights some of the popular Planned Parenthood myths that have been perpetuated in recent news accounts.

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s largest provider of abortions – about one-third of all abortions in the U.S. are performed at Planned Parenthood-affiliated facilities. According to their most recent annual report , Planned Parenthood received at least $528 million annually from the federal government or other levels of government.

“As baby body parts are being routinely salvaged from brutal abortion procedures – their bodies sifted through for organs while fees are callously being negotiated – the media continues to remain silent,” Tobias added. “If only these innocent babies were puppies or kittens, perhaps then we would hear uproar from those reporting the news.”

# # #

U.S. SENATE TAKES SWIFT ACTION IN RESPONSE TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD REVELATION

Tue, 04 Aug 2015 16:04:00 GMT

ATLANTA- Georgia’s U.S. Senators, Senator Johnny Isakson and Senator David Perdue, joined forty-two other Senate co-sponsors behind S. 1881 which would succinctly prohibit the availability of Federal funds to “Planned Parenthood Federation of America, or to any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, or clinics.” The monumental collaboration by pro-life Senators steamrolled the legislation to a vote early Monday evening. Unfortunately, the bill garnered only 53 to 46 votes on the cloture motion – meaning it failed to get the 60 votes necessary to overcome a filibuster by the Democrats.

“We are proud of our Georgia Senators for supporting this swift and targeted action to defund the Nation’s largest abortion provider” said GLA Executive Director Emily Matson. “Planned Parenthood’s pocketbook has been a deposit account for the American taxpayer for too long. The video revelations we have received in the past weeks make it clear Planned Parenthood’s participation in the compensation-driven procurement of human baby parts must end. We hope the momentum behind S. 1881 will not slow down.”

As the Georgia Affiliate of National Right to Life, Georgia Life Alliance is committed to growing and promoting a pro-life culture. GLA proudly supports Senator Johnny Isakson and Senator David Perdue in joining this effort to block funding for Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood’s Trafficking of Baby Body Parts is ‘Reprehensible’

Tue, 28 Jul 2015 18:01:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – A third video released by The Center for Medical Progress (CMP) again shows high-ranking associates of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) casually discussing the harvesting and trafficking of body parts from unborn children killed by abortion. Calling the discussions “reprehensible,” the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of state right-to-life organizations, renewed its call for protective pro-life laws.

One segment of the new video contains footage apparently taken at the “pathology laboratory” of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains (PPRM) in Denver, and depicts the separation of various body parts from the remains of an “11.6 week” aborted unborn child. The undercover investigator posing as a tissue vendor suggests that this cadaver would yield four different, separated specimens, and that a per-part payment of $50 to $75 would be appropriate, or $200-$300 for all four parts. In response, a woman identified by CMP as Dr. Savita Ginde, the clinic medical director, responds, “I think the per-item thing works a little better [than a per-fetus payment], just because we can see how much we can get out of it.”

“To hear these senior Planned Parenthood doctors and executives coldly pricing baby body parts – liver, heart, lungs, kidneys, brains, and limbs – with such casual disregard for the unborn children killed to obtain those parts is reprehensible,” said Carol Tobias, National Right to Life president. “The ease with which they talk about the unborn child being used for their own gains is disturbing, and should cause even the most hardened abortion activist to face the grisly reality of abortion. It’s time to put a stop to this brutality and enact laws that will protect unborn children.”

The three videos that have thus far been released by CMP highlight the need for protective legislation such as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act. These bills would greatly expand protections for unborn children from late abortions, and would curb some of the grisly practices described by the senior Planned Parenthood doctors in the two videos released earlier by the CMP. Twelve states have enacted the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. In May, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a federal version of the bill, which is currently awaiting action in the U.S. Senate. Earlier this year, Kansas and Oklahoma became the first two states to ban dismemberment abortions.

“If you’re troubled by what has been revealed in these videos, you should be equally troubled that more than one million unborn babies are similarly and brutally killed by the abortion industry every year,” Tobias said. “It’s time to stand up and say ‘enough is enough’.”

New Video Highlights Planned Parenthood’s ‘Callous’ and ‘Depraved’ Brutality to Unborn Children

Wed, 22 Jul 2015 22:37:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of state right-to-life organizations, today responded to a second video by The Center for Medical Progress (CMP) dealing with arrangements between high-ranking associates of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and vendors (real and feigned) for baby body parts from unborn children killed by abortion.

The video released today shows a conversation between Dr. Mary Gatter, president of the Medical Directors Council of PPFA, and two CMP-affiliated persons posing as executives of a recently formed for-profit firm engaged in collecting and selling fetal organs to researchers. Dr. Gatter discusses a potential contract between the simulated vendor and Planned Parenthood of Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley [California], where she is medical director, as well as past organ-harvesting arrangements at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, where she was previously medical director.

“Another discussion, over lunch, of dismembering unborn children to harvest their body parts once again demonstrates the callousness and heartlessness of Planned Parenthood toward unborn children,” said Carol Tobias, National Right to Life president. “The conversation enters the realm of utter depravity when the Planned Parenthood doctor says she will explore ‘using a less crunchy technique to get more whole specimens.’ Dr. Gatter also expresses concern that the payments must ‘be big enough that it is worthwhile,’ and laughingly adds, ‘I want a Lamborghini.’ Women who have been exploited by Planned Parenthood and who now see this video are unlikely to be laughing with her.”

Today’s video once again highlights the need for legislation such as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act. These bills would greatly expand protections for unborn children from late abortions, and would curb some of the grisly practices described by the senior Planned Parenthood doctors in the two videos released so far by the CMP. Twelve states have enacted the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. In May, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a federal version of the bill, which is currently awaiting action in the U.S. Senate. Earlier this year, Kansas and Oklahoma became the first two states to ban dismemberment abortions.

“One immediate priority is enactment of the federal Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which will at least begin to limit the ability of the abortion industry to deliver intact, well-developed baby body parts to order,” said Tobias, “Pro-life activists, public officials, and candidates alike also need to prioritize ending public funding of the abortion industry. It’s time to say ‘enough is enough’.”

Georgia Life Alliance Commends Governor Nathan Deal for investigating Planned Parenthood

Mon, 20 Jul 2015 18:22:00 GMT

ATLANTA- The Georgia Life Alliance (GLA) commends Governor Nathan Deal for launching a state inquiry into Planned Parenthood in Georgia. The Governor’s action follows the call by GLA and other passionate pro-life voices to investigate after a report by the Center for Medical Progress revealed Planned Parenthood’s Sr. Director of Medical Services discussing the selection, procurement, compensation process, and apparent distribution of fetal organs, bone structures, blood, and other specimen.

“We commend Governor Nathan Deal for recognizing the urgent need to address this horrific reality and quickly investigate the activities of Planned Parenthood in Georgia,” said Executive Director Emily Matson. “There is much more work ahead to ensure that the State of Georgia is not a sanctuary for the harvesting and marketing of dismembered infant bodies. We will extend our help and stand behind our Governor as he undertakes this crucial mission.”

VIDEO SHOWS THE NEED FOR PROTECTIVE PRO-LIFE LAWS

Fri, 17 Jul 2015 20:03:00 GMT

National Right to Life: Protect Unborn Children and Defund the Abortion Industry

WASHINGTON – The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of state right-to-life organizations, today called on all pro-lifers, including pro-life public officials and pro-life candidates, to pledge to enact pro-life laws such as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act, and work to end public funding of the entire abortion industry.

“One of our top priorities should be enactment of legislation like the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which will at least begin to limit the ability of the abortion industry to deliver intact, well-developed baby body parts to order,” said Carol Tobias, National Right to Life president. “Pro-life activists, public officials, and candidates alike also need to prioritize ending public funding of the abortion industry. It’s time to say ‘enough is enough’.”

National Right to Life’s call to action comes following the release earlier this week by an organization call The Center for Medical Progress of a hidden-camera recording remarks by Deborah Nucatola, senior director for medical services for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) about the procurement of baby body parts.

Dr. Nucatola specifically describes abortionists manipulating unborn children in order to remove them feet first, to facilitate obtaining an intact head, apparently to preserve an intact brain. This statement and others raise a host of ethical questions, including whether pregnant women are being given detailed information in advance about exactly what is going to be done to them and their babies.

Her statements highlight the need for legislation like the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act, which would greatly expand protections for unborn children from late abortions, which obviously would also curb some of the grisly practices described by the senior Planned Parenthood doctor-executive. Twelve states have enacted the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, and the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a federal version of the bill. It is currently pending in the U.S. Senate. Earlier this year, Kansas and Oklahoma became the first two states to ban dismemberment abortions.

“It is stomach-churning to hear a top doctor for the national Planned Parenthood organization admit, on videotape, that Planned Parenthood abortionists can and will alter late abortion procedures to facilitate the harvesting of intact baby body parts – she specifically mentioned hearts, lungs, livers, even intact heads – in order to fill specific pre-orders,” Tobias said. “Such callous disregard for the tiniest members of our human family is further evidence that the abortion industry cares more about preserving their financial bottom line than they do about the women they purport to help.”

A March 2013 poll by The Polling Company found that 50% opposed “tax dollars for family planning services going to organizations that perform abortions.” Only 46% supported such funding. The same poll found that 58% opposed using tax dollars to pay for abortion.

Tobias also noted: “Abortion is big business and abortionists rake in hundreds of millions of dollars each year. The abortion industry receives hundreds of millions of dollars annually from federal, state, and local taxpayers. Corporations that are heavily involved in abortion should not be receiving tax dollars for any purpose – it merely allows them to further expand their killing empires.”

Georgia Life Alliance Calls on State Legislature to Investigate Planned Parenthood

Wed, 15 Jul 2015 21:35:00 GMT

ATLANTA, GA – The Georgia Life Alliance Committee (GLA) is calling on the Governor and members of the Georgia Legislature to launch a state investigation into Planned Parenthood. GLA’s call comes after the release of a disturbing video showing Planned Parenthood’s Sr. Director of Medical Services Dr. Deborah Nucatola casually detailing the process of altering abortion procedures to harvest specific fetal body parts for the purpose of selling or delivering them intact and per request of buyers.

“The horrific and illegal acts described so callously by Planned Parenthood in yesterday’s video should give even the most ardent pro-choice advocate cause for grave concern,” said Executive Director Emily Matson. “We urge Georgia’s lawmakers to acknowledge the gravity of this evidence and launch an investigation to ensure this is not happening in Georgia. In addition, and in light of the lacking nature of our state’s abortion provider regulations, the time is now to ensure abortion procedure and practices receive the scrutiny and attention of our regulatory and enforcement agencies.”

Elected leaders in Texas, Louisiana, and other states are now vowing to investigate Planned Parenthood in their own states following revelations from the video. Planned Parenthood has a network of five Georgia clinics operating in Atlanta, Augusta, Lawrenceville, Marietta, and Savannah.

To join GLA and urge legislators to investigate Planned Parenthood, please sign our petition here .

Wisconsin becomes 12th state to pass Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Mon, 13 Jul 2015 18:43:00 GMT

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Yesterday, the Wisconsin State Assembly gave final approval to the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act – a bill that protects unborn children from abortions after 20 weeks fetal age, a point by which there is compelling evidence that unborn children are capable of feeling pain. The bill now goes to pro-life Governor Scott Walker, who has previously pledged to sign this life-affirming bill. If signed, Wisconsin would be the twelfth state to enact this legislation, which is based on a model bill developed by National Right to Life.

“Wisconsin now joins eleven other states in recognizing the humanity of the unborn child,” said Mary Spaulding Balch, J.D., National Right to Life director of state legislation. “The smallest and most vulnerable members of our human family need our protection, and Wisconsin has taken a vital step to save unborn child who are capable of feeling the excruciating pain of abortions.”

The Wisconsin Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act will protect the lives of pain-capable unborn children from being killed by abortion. If it becomes law, the bill would protect unborn children from 20 weeks fetal age (22 “weeks of pregnancy”), based on legislative findings that there is compelling evidence that an unborn child by that point (if not earlier) is capable of experiencing excruciating pain during the process of dismemberment or other abortion procedures.

In May, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a national version of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36), which has also been introduced in the U.S. Senate (S. 1553).

In a nationwide poll of 1,000 American adults conducted in July 2012, The Polling Company asked, “Unless an abortion is necessary to save a mother’s life, do you think abortion should be permitted after the point where substantial medical evidence says that the unborn child can feel pain?” A majority, 63%, responded “no, abortion should not be permitted,” compared to just 21% who would allow abortion after the point at which the unborn child is capable of feeling pain.

“Pain-capable unborn children should be protected from the violent act of a dismemberment abortion, or whatever twisted method the abortion industry has cooked up this week,” Balch added. “In our upside-down society, most animals have more rights than unborn members of the human family. We are thankful the Wisconsin legislature has recognized their solemn duty in protecting the lives of the most vulnerable.”

Some of the extensive evidence that unborn children have the capacity to experience pain, at least by 20 weeks fetal age, is available on the NRLC website at www.nrlc.org/abortion/ fetalpain and also here: www.doctorsonfetalpain. com .

National Right to Life News: June 2015

Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:45:00 GMT

To view June’s edition of National Right to Life News, please click the link below:

National Right to Life News: June 2015

SUPREME COURT DECISION UNDERSCORES NEED FOR NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION ACT

Thu, 25 Jun 2015 16:47:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – The National Right to Life Committee, the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates and more than 3,000 local chapters, today reacted to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in King v. Burwell.

“Federal taxpayer subsidies are helping pay for over 1,000 health plans that cover abortion on demand, and today’s Supreme Court decision underscores that only Congress can put a stop to that,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life.

“This decision again demonstrates the need for enactment of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which would permanently prevent taxpayer subsidies for abortion-covering health plans, both in Obamacare and in other federal health benefits programs,” Tobias said.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 7) in January by a vote of 242-179, despite a veto threat from the Obama White House.

When Barack Obama was elected president in 2008, an array of long-established laws, including the Hyde Amendment, had created a nearly uniform policy that federal programs did not pay for abortion or subsidize health plans that included coverage of abortion, with narrow exceptions. Regrettably, provisions of the 2010 Obamacare health law ruptured that longstanding policy. The Obamacare law authorized massive federal subsidies to assist many millions of Americans to purchase private health plans that will cover abortion on demand. In addition, the law contains multiple provisions that will ration life-saving or life-preserving medical care.

In September 2014, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the nonpartisan investigatory arm of Congress, issued a report containing information that confirmed predictions by National Right to Life that federally subsidized abortion-covering health plans would become a widespread feature of Obamacare. That report found that more than one thousand federally subsidized exchange plans currently cover elective abortion. Currently, 26 states and the District of Columbia allow coverage of elective abortion in health plans that qualify for the federal subsidies (while 24 states have restricted or prohibited such coverage).

For further documentation, please see www.nrlc.org/uploads/ahc/ProtectLifeActDouglasJohnsonTestimony.pdf , and www.nrlc.org/uploads/DvSBA/GenericAffidavitOfDouglasJohnsonNRLC.pdf .

For information on how Obamacare rations life-preserving medical treatment, see www.nrlc.org/uploads/communications/healthcarereport2014.pdf .
For a pro-life alternative to Obamacare that would provide health insurance to those unable fully to afford it without rationing or government deficits, see www.nrlc.org/uploads/medethics/ObamacareAlternativeNRLC252015.pdf .

Founded in 1968, National Right to Life, the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates and more than 3,000 local chapters, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement, NRLC works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.

NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE PRESIDENT CALLS ON JOURNALISTS TO CHECK THEIR FACTS IN DEBATE OVER PAIN-CAPABLE UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT

Thu, 11 Jun 2015 21:02:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – At a press conference this morning at which Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) announced the introduction of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act in the U.S. Senate, National Right to Life President Carol Tobias called on journalists, when writing about the bill and the unborn children at 20 weeks fetal age or older who it would protect, to adopt a more skeptical approach to fact claims made by pro-abortion advocacy organizations, including ACOG and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

“As in the early days of the debate over partial-birth abortion in 1995-1996, many journalists are currently adopting and transmitting as fact, claims that are clearly erroneous and often indefensible, which they receive from advocacy groups such as ACOG and Planned Parenthood,” said Tobias. “These include false claims that no babies or very few babies survive when born at 20 weeks fetal age, that there is no good evidence that babies can experience pain at 20 weeks fetal age, and that most abortions performed after 20 weeks involve acute medical problems of mother or child. Some of these journalists eventually may find themselves trying to explain why they were so gullible, just like their journalistic predecessors, who adopted the abortion-advocacy party line on partial-birth abortion, until it blew up in their faces.”

On May 13, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, 242-184. The bill would extend federal protections to unborn children who have reached 20 weeks fetal age (22 weeks of pregnancy), with certain exceptions, and to babies who are born alive during late abortions.

The bill was developed from model legislation developed by National Right to Life in 2010, enacted thus far in 11 states.

The full text of Carol Tobias’ statement is available here: www.nrlc.org/uploads/communications/061115TobiasStatementonPCUCPASenateIntro.pdf .

On June 1, 2015, National Right to Life sent a letter to senators encouraging them to sign on as co-sponsors of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. That letter is posted here: http://www.nrlc.org/uploads/fetalpain/NRLCtoSenateCosponsorship.pdf .

On June 5, 2015, National Right to Life News Today published a piece by National Right to Life Legislative Director Douglas Johnson calling The New York Times to task for a recent correction relating to an article about U.S. House passage of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. That article is posted here: http://www.nationalrighttolifenews.org/news/2015/06/new-york-times-runs-constricted-correction-on-abortion .

In a nationwide poll of 1,623 registered voters in November 2014, The Quinnipiac University Poll found that 60% would support a law such as the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act prohibiting abortion after 20 weeks, while only 33% opposed such legislation. Women voters split 59-35% in support of such a law, while independent voters supported it by 56-36%.
Some of the extensive evidence that unborn children have the capacity to experience pain, at least by 20 weeks fetal age, is available on the NRLC website at www.nrlc.org/abortion/fetalpain and also here: www.doctorsonfetalpain.com .

Georgia Life Alliance Committee applauds Georgia Congressmen for yes vote on the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Fri, 15 May 2015 18:44:00 GMT

ATLANTA, GA – The Georgia Life Alliance Committee applauds the following Georgia members of the U.S. Congress for their yes vote in support of H.R.36: Congressman Tom Price, Representative Tom Graves, Representative Doug Collins, Representative...

NRLC letter to U.S. House urging passage of revised Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Tue, 12 May 2015 17:53:00 GMT

Dear Member of Congress:

H.R. 36 was originally scheduled to come to the floor on January 22. Consideration was delayed when some Members raised concerns regarding their interpretations of certain provisions of the legislation. We disagreed with the objections voiced by those Members. The subsequent process of discussion produced a substitute bill, the Franks Substitute Amendment, which includes substantial refinements of the disputed provisions, as well as improvements that afford further recognition to the humanity of those unborn human beings who are within the scope of the bill’s coverage – unborn children who are at least 20 weeks beyond fertilization (equivalent to 22 weeks of pregnancy — about the start of the sixth month).

There is abundant evidence – summarized in the findings of the bill – that by this point in development (and probably earlier), the unborn child has the capacity to experience excruciating pain during typical abortion procedures. On this basis, the bill prohibits abortion after that point, except when an acute physical condition endangers the life of the mother, or in cases of rape, or cases of incest against a minor. The revised bill spells out the procedural requirements that abortionists must follow when performing an abortion under these exceptions, including seeking to preserve the life of the child whenever this is feasible.

It is now commonplace to read about evidence that, by 20 weeks fetal age and even earlier, an unborn child responds to many forms of stimuli, including music and the mother’s voice. Claims that the same child is nevertheless insensible to the violence done to her body during an abortion should engender strong skepticism. Abortions at this stage typically are performed using a variety of techniques, including a method in which the unborn child’s arms and legs are twisted off by brute manual force, using a long stainless steel clamping tool. A medical illustration of this common method is posted here: https://www.nrlc.org/abortion/pba/deabortiongraphic/

Some of the extensive scientific evidence that unborn children have the capacity to experience pain, at least by 20 weeks, is available at these URLs:

https://www.nrlc.org/abortion/fetalpain/

http://www.doctorsonfetalpain.com

http://www.nrlc.org/uploads/fetalpain/AnandPainReport.pdf

Late abortions are not “rare.” At least 275 facilities offer abortions past 20 weeks fetal age.

In a nationwide poll of 1,623 registered voters in November 2014, The Quinnipiac University Poll found that 60% would support a law such as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act prohibiting abortion after 20 weeks, while only 33% opposed such legislation. Women voters split 59-35% in support of such a law, while independent voters supported it by 56-36%.

Should you have any questions, please contact us at 202-626-8820, or via e-mail at federallegislation@nrlc.org. Thank you for your consideration of NRLC’s position on this vital legislation.

Respectfully,

Carol Tobias
President

David N. O’Steen, Ph.D.
Executive Director

Douglas D. Johnson
Legislative Director

Susan T. Muskett, J.D.
Senior Legislative Counsel

OKLAHOMA SENATE PASSES UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION FROM DISMEMBERMENT ABORTION ACT

Wed, 08 Apr 2015 17:00:00 GMT

For immediate release: Wednesday, April 8, 2015
For more information: Tatiana Bergum, (202) 642-1675, mediarelations@nrlc.org

WASHINGTON – The Oklahoma state Senate today passed the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act (HB 1721). In February, the bill was passed overwhelmingly in the state House of Representatives. It now goes to Gov. Mary Fallin, who is expected to sign the measure.

If enacted, Oklahoma will become the second state in the nation to protect unborn children from dismemberment abortions that tear them apart limb from limb. Yesterday, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signed similar legislation prohibiting dismemberment abortions in the state. Model legislation provided by National Right to Life is also under consideration in the legislatures of Missouri and South Carolina.

“We applaud the Oklahoma legislature for standing up for unborn children by passing the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act,” said National Right to Life President Carol Tobias. “This is a transformative law that has the power to change how the public views the gruesome reality of abortion in the United States.”

Dismemberment abortions are as brutal as the partial-birth abortion method, which is now illegal in the United States.

In his dissent to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2000 Stenberg v. Carhart decision, Justice Anthony Kennedy observed that in dismemberment abortions, “The fetus, in many cases, dies just as a human adult or child would: It bleeds to death as it is torn limb from limb. The fetus can be alive at the beginning of the dismemberment process and can survive for a time while its limbs are being torn off.”

Justice Kennedy added in the Court’s 2007 opinion, Gonzales v. Carhart, which upheld the ban on partial-birth abortion, that D&E (dismemberment) abortions are “laden with the power to devalue human life…”

“The Oklahoma legislature is to be commended for protecting unborn children and prohibiting this barbaric inhumanity,” said Oklahomans For Life State Chairman Tony Lauinger.

“Dismemberment abortion kills a baby by tearing her apart limb from limb,” said National Right to Life Director of State Legislation Mary Spaulding Balch, J.D. “Before the first trimester ends, the unborn child has a beating heart, brain waves, and every organ system in place. Dismemberment abortions occur after the baby has reached these milestones.”

A medical illustration of a D&E dismemberment abortion is available here: www.nrlc.org/abortion/pba/deabortiongraphic.

Background materials on the bill are available on the National Right to Life website: www.nrlc.org/statelegislation/dismemberment. Included in the background materials is the testimony of Anthony Levatino, M.D., before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice in May 2013, in which he described in great detail the D&E dismemberment abortions he once performed.

National Right to Life experts, including President Carol Tobias and Director of State Legislation Mary Spaulding Balch, J.D are available to provide further information and commentary on the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act. To arrange an interview, call the NRLC Communications Department at (202) 642-1675 or email mediarelations@nrlc.org.

# # #

KANSAS BECOMES THE FIRST STATE TO ENACT GROUNDBREAKING DISMEMBERMENT ABORTION BAN

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 16:00:00 GMT

For immediate release: Tuesday, April 7, 2015
For more information: Tatiana Bergum, (202) 642-1675, mediarelations@nrlc.org

WASHINGTON –This morning, pro-life Kansas Governor Sam Brownback (R) signed into law the groundbreaking Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act. The bill received overwhelming support in the state legislature earlier this year. In signing the bill, Governor Brownback makes Kansas the first state in the nation to enact the National Right to Life model legislation that will prohibit the use of dismemberment abortions. The law will go into effect on July 1.

“The Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act is the first of what we hope will be many state laws banning dismemberment abortions,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “This law has the power to transform the landscape of abortion policy in the United States.”

Dismemberment abortions are as brutal as the partial-birth abortion method, which is now illegal in the United States.

Justice Kennedy added in the Court’s 2007 opinion, Gonzales v. Carhart, which upheld the ban on partial-birth abortion, that D&E abortions are “laden with the power to devalue human life…”

“Dismemberment abortion kills a baby by tearing her apart limb from limb,” said Mary Spaulding Balch, J.D., National Right to Life director of state legislation. “Before the first trimester ends, the unborn child has a beating heart, brain waves, and every organ system in place. Dismemberment abortions occur after the baby has reached these milestones.”

“We applaud our affiliate, Kansans for Life, for shepherding this bill through the legislature,” added Tobias. “We applaud the legislators who stood up for unborn children by supporting the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act, and we thank Governor Brownback for his outstanding pro-life leadership in signing it into law.”

A medical illustration of a D&E dismemberment abortion is available here: www.nrlc.org/abortion/pba/deabortiongraphic.

# # #

Life at the Capitol

Thu, 19 Mar 2015 11:00:00 GMT

The 2015 Georgia General Assembly is three-fourths over by the calendar. However, most would say the real work has only begun. There are nine (9) remaining legislative days which will very likely include several nights as well.

Since the first day of the session in January, Georgia Life Alliance Committee has been tracking proposed legislation and working to advance our own mission in the form of legislation.

On Day 27, Representative Joyce Chandler (Grayson) introduced House Bill 555 which would accomplish two major objectives.

First, HB 555 would help ensure Georgia’s women receive the information required by the Woman’s Right to Know Act (WRTK).

Second, HB 555 would help ensure we have an accurate report of the number of females, age 10-17, who have obtained an abortion without their parents being notified.

Prior to the performance of an abortion, WRTK requires the physician to inform the patient of the following:

Unfortunately, only physicians performing abortions in licensed abortion facilities are required to report he or she has given the informed consent set out in the WRTK and that the patient has certified in writing she has received the information.

From 2006 to 2012, there were 208,362 reported abortions in Georgia. For the same time period, there were only 107,067 reports certifying the physician provided the WRTK information. Requiring that in the case of all abortions a physician must certify he or she has provided the information required by WRTK is vital to ensure each woman in Georgia is making an informed choice to either bring her unborn baby to term or terminate her pregnancy.

HB 555 was assigned to the Insurance Subcommittee on Health and Life and unfortunately remains there at this time. In order to keep HB 555 viable we need your help . Please contact your Representative and Senator as well as Members of the House Insurance Committee and Chairman Richard Smith and let them know you support HB 555 .

If you’ve been following us on Facebook , you know that GLAC opposes Senate Bills 39 and 41. SB 39 would reverse the legislative changes made in 2012 which restricted abortion after 20 weeks gestation. SB 41 would establish the “Georgia Family Planning Initiative” under the Department of Public Health, for the purpose of “providing high quality family planning services and related preventative health care to improve the health of women and infants.” Because we see no positive connection between the state paying for “implants, intrauterine devices, vasectomies, and tubal ligations” and the health of infants , GLAC opposes SB 41 as well. Please contact your Representative and Senator to let them know that you oppose SB 39 and SB 41.

Human Trafficking
While our effort is targeted to promote and effect that legislation which is directly related to our mission, we would be remiss to not draw our readers’ attention to one final matter: SB 8. This legislation seeks to address and remedy the tragedy of victimized children who face criminal charges for the very acts by which they have been victimized, i.e. human trafficking. This is a very difficult but urgent current issue to tackle. Though not directly related to our mission, SB 8 touches on the protection of life for those who truly cannot speak for themselves. The bill has passed the Senate and is in the House for further review.

Working to Grow a Culture of Life ,

Georgia Life Alliance Committee

PRESS RELEASE: House Bill 555 Seeks Accurate and Informed Health Information for Women

Thu, 12 Mar 2015 19:36:00 GMT

PRESS RELEASE
March 10, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Emily Matson, Executive Director
Georgia Life Alliance
678-597-8055
info@georgialifealliance.com

ATLANTA, GA – Last week, Representative Joyce Chandler (R-Grayson) introduced House Bill 555 in the Georgia House of Representatives. HB 555 proposes two key changes to existing abortion reporting statutes. First, it creates a statutory framework for the Juvenile Court and the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to compile and deliver accurate statistics to the Department of Public Health regarding 10-17 year-old girls who seek an abortion and who do not want to notify their parents. Title 16 of the Georgia Code already requires the communication of this data, but the AOC has admitted it is not currently gathering data on minors seeking abortions and it has not done so for years.

Second, HB 555 would streamline the reporting requirements for every abortion. Currently, only physicians who perform abortions in a licensed DCH abortion facility have to report compliance with Georgia Code 31-9A-6. The two key components of this mandatory report are (1) the physician certifies he has given informed consent regarding the abortion at least 24-hours before the abortion and (2) the physician reports that the woman signed a certification that she has received the informed consent.

On Monday, Representative Chandler shared, “I am honored to fight for these important and reasonable changes to our laws because women deserve complete information when making the life-altering decision to bring a baby to term or end the pregnancy. Requiring all doctors to report they have provided informed consent to women before performing an abortion is good for women’s health in Georgia. Understanding the number of girls who seek an abortion without the knowledge or support of their parents is good for the future physical and emotional health of Georgia’s young women.”

Georgia Life Alliance Committee has worked tirelessly with Representative Chandler on HB 555. Executor Director Emily Matson had this to say on HB 555: “GLAC supports HB 555. The data we have from the Department of Public Health shows that from 2006-2012, there have been approximately 208,000 abortions performed in Georgia. Of that number, there were only 107,000 abortions in which the doctor certified he gave the patient the required informed consent. This is unacceptable. The reporting requirements are vital to gather important health statistics and ensure women have accurate information in choosing abortion or life.”
The Georgia Life Alliance advocates for the vulnerable, the abandoned, and the defenseless: the baby still in her mother’s womb, the orphaned child desperate for a safe and loving home, and the woman who finds herself in a desperate situation.

We will work tirelessly to bring attention and healing to the struggles of the unborn and other at-risk groups, endeavoring to help secure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all Georgians.

-######-

We’ve received our IRS letter!

Tue, 24 Feb 2015 11:00:00 GMT

Less than one year after we became the National Right to Life’s official Georgia Affiliate, we’ve received our IRS letter!

A letter from the IRS this time of year isn’t usually good news, but this one is different! This letter means gifts made to Georgia Life Alliance are officially tax deductible on your federal tax returns.

We’ve accomplished a lot since our founding, last March. Click on each item below to learn more!

I’ve been trying to keep you updated on our progress on our Facebook page, Twitter and website. And I hope you will visit our blog for more stories about how GLA is expanding the culture of life in Georgia.

We cannot succeed without you. Your alliance and collaboration with us, makes us the Alliance we are, and we are so thankful for your support. If you have any questions about our efforts and how you can help, please contact Kristina at 678-597-8055 or kristina@georgialifealliance.com .

Voice for the Voiceless Luncheon

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 15:33:00 GMT

“Voice for the Voiceless,” GLA’s very first public event, was hosted on January 21 ^st , the eve of the 42 ^nd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade at the State Capitol. Approximately 50 people, including 20 members of the State House and Senate, came together for encouragement in a common mission to affirm the value of all life in Georgia. Pro-life advocates from like-minded organizations, and several executive directors of pregnancy centers from across the state were in attendance and recognized as well.

The luncheon event highlighted the life-saving impact that Pregnancy Care Centers have had for 35 years in Georgia. Two women told their respective stories of unplanned pregnancies, underscoring not only the devastating effects of abortion, but confirming that women will choose life more readily when truth, compassion and genuine help are offered to them. The tireless efforts of pregnancy centers have resulted in the birth decisions of countless women and families, and GLA expressed its commitment to supporting their ongoing role in changing the culture.

Martha Zoller, radio hostess and GLA Founding Board Member related some of her own experiences as a mother that have compelled her to be active in the pro-life movement.

The time was concluded with Executive Director, Emily Matson, and Operations Director, Kristina Twitty, from GLA speaking of the continuing need for perseverance in advocating for life within our government and through our personal spheres of influence.

42 Years Later…

Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:12:00 GMT

Today, we mourn the decision etched into our national history by the United States Supreme Court in the case of Roe v. Wade. The 1973 court opinion hauntingly determined that the right to obtain abortion on demand trumps the value of unborn children to live and a state’s interest in protecting that unborn child except upon the child having reached the point of “viability.”

Ten years after Roe and after the national abortion rate had doubled (from 744,600 to 1,575,000) the culture of abortion on demand prompted the first-ever book published by a sitting president, Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation, by Ronald Reagan (1983). Reagan passionately wrote, “The real question today is not when human life begins …but what is the value of human life? The abortionist who reassembles the arms and legs of a tiny baby to make sure all its parts have been torn from its mother’s body can hardly doubt whether it is a human being.” Despite this powerful call to conscience by our beloved President Reagan, our county has to date allowed the killing of over 56,000,000 innocent, helpless human beings.

President Reagan’s words remind us today that the real battle is about whether or not our fellow Americans will act (both publicly and privately) to save the most innocent human lives at their weakest stage. Whether we offer to help a mother who had no plan to be pregnant, initiate adopting a baby that is not wanted, give diapers to a Pregnancy Support Center, Stand for Life on a street corner, March for Life in D.C. or our state capitol, pray for patients at an abortion clinic, exhort our Congressmen to vote to prohibit abortion after 20 weeks, open our homes to foster care for orphans, or share an inspiring moral message on social media, these acts save lives. Keeping this issue at the forefront of national politics saves lives. Positively offering alternatives to abortion saves lives.

For the woman who feels her only choice is abortion, simply the message that she has the choice to choose life for her baby is an act that will save lives. My fellow Georgians, do all that you can to save lives. As the great abolitionist William Wilberforce declared, “Men of authority and influence may promote good morals. Let them in their several stations encourage virtue. Let them favor and take part in any plans which may be formed for the advancement of morality.”

Emily Matson

PRESS RELEASE: GLA Remembers Roe v. Wade

Thu, 22 Jan 2015 16:38:00 GMT

PRESS RELEASE
January 22, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Emily Matson, Executive Director
Georgia Life Alliance
678-597-8055
info@georgialifealliance.com

ROME, GA – Today marks the 42nd anniversary of the regrettable decision in Roe v. Wade. Since that haunting opinion was handed down by our Supreme Court in 1973, over 56,000,000 unborn babies have been legally aborted. This is a tragedy of enormous gravity. It has impacted everything in our culture, from the psychological and spiritual well-being of our women to the cultural value of human life to the declining birthrate and economic consequences.

Georgia Life Alliance Committee calls on our President, our U.S. Senators, our Congressmen, our Governor, and our State Legislature to act with the power vested in them to confront this tragedy.

We ask the House of Representatives to Pass H.R. 7 – No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2015 to ensure that our national public funds are not wasted on this optional and unnecessary procedure. We also ask the United States House of Representatives to revive the planned consideration of H.R. 36 – the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act – and to pass this powerful legislation and restrict abortion after 20-weeks gestation.

Both H.R. 7 and H.R. 36 promote respect, dignity, and protection of innocent human life.

“If we sit on the sidelines of this tragedy and do nothing, we affirm and condone the continued killing of our future generations. The pro-life community and pro-life lawmakers must recommit, on this infamous date, to forward movement and to step-by-step combat against the evil of abortion. Both H.R. 7 and H.R. 36 are targeted to save lives and we should ask for passage of both bills,” said Emily Matson, GLAC Executive Director.

Contact your Congressmen today and ask them to vote YES for H.R. 7. Also, ask them to request that H.R. 36 be placed back on the Agenda of the United States House of Representatives.

The Georgia Life Alliance advocates for the vulnerable, the abandoned, and the defenseless: the baby still in her mother’s womb, the orphaned child desperate for a safe and loving home, and the woman who finds herself in a desperate situation.

-######-

Sanctity of Life Upcoming Events

Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:44:00 GMT

Georgia Life Alliance – Voices of the Voiceless Luncheon
Wednesday, January 21, 2015; 12-1pm
Georgia State Capitol, Room 230

Respect Life Committee – Archdiocese Atlanta
Details for the following events can be found here.

Blessing of Pro-Life Pilgrims
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Prayer for March for Life – DC Attendees
Held throughout the archdiocese

Rosary For Life
Thursday, January 22, 2015; 9:30am
Cathedral of Christ the King
2699 Peachtree Road NE , Atlanta, GA 30305

Mass for the Unborn
Thursday, January 22, 2015; 10:00am
Cathedral of Christ the King
2699 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305

Public Witness for Life
Thursday, January 22, 2015; 12:00-12:30 p.m.
Directly outside Cathedral of Christ the King
2699 Peachtree Road NE , Atlanta, GA 30305

Individual Evangelization for Life
Thursday, January 22, 2015; 12:30-1:00 p.m
2699 Peachtree Road NE , Atlanta, GA 30305

Stand for Life Youth Seminar
Thursday, January 22, 2015; 12:45 – 2:00 pm
Cathedral of Christ the King – Kenny Hall
2699 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305

Georgia Right to Life – Rally and March

Thursday, January 22, 2015; 11 am – 2pm
Liberty Plaza in Atlanta, across from the State Capitol

Across Georgia

Augusta
January 13-29, 2015
Augusta Radio Station Holds Baby Shower to benefit Life Choices Pregnancy Care Center in Aiken, SC and the Augusta Care Pregnancy Center, in Augusta, west Augusta and Waynesboro, Georgia! Donations can be made at the locations listed at website below, as well as at the WAFJ offices at 102 LeCompte Ave., North Augusta, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information here.

Augusta
Roe v. Wade Commemoration
The Alleluia Community and Pro-Life Augusta;
Saturday, January 24, 2015; 2 p.m.
Augusta Care Pregnancy Center West, 2915 Professional Parkway. For more information, call the Alleluia office at (706) 798-1882 or Gary and Nancy Garner at (706) 793-8090.

Roswell
Roswell Street Baptist Church
Sunday, January 18, 2015, 11:00am
Blended Service (Worship Center) & Connections Service (Gym) More information here.

Life at the Capitol

Tue, 13 Jan 2015 14:48:00 GMT

On Monday, Governor Deal challenged those gathered at his inauguration: “While we have accomplished much, we have much left to do.” There is more truth to this statement than many know, especially with regard to the continuing fight to protect the most vulnerable in our state. Approximately nineteen (19) “abortion clinics” currently operate in our state. This number does not include medical doctors who regularly conduct abortions, nor does it include hospitals at which abortions are an approved procedure. Guttmacher Institute reported there were 34,910 women that obtained abortions in Georgia in 2011. Though we do not have the numbers yet, undoubtedly there was a similar amount in 2014. Also, 2014 re-introduced the world to a “compassionate killing” in the form of a scheduled suicide by Brittany Maynard, who took advantage of the laws of Oregon to schedule and accomplish her own death. Her story has re-opened the Kavorkian debate, disguised by happy wedding pictures and passionate testimony of living daily life with constant pain.

You may think our state is set and our laws fortified, but we at Georgia Life Alliance know the tide is so easily turned when ill-advised culture speaks with soundbites and pictures and makes death seem like a compassionate alternative. The voiceless voices of the tens of thousands of unborn children in Georgia continue to lose their lives because our law protects the choice to abort and because culturally, we still feign at the comment “well that is a private decision between a woman and her doctor.” But it’s not an isolated decision or just an “occupant” – it’s a baby whose rights should be equal and should alter the rights of a parent who can fight for his or her own survival.

Georgia Life Alliance Committee, with Director of Operations Kristina Twitty and Executive Director Emily Matson will be on the ground at the Georgia Capitol this legislative session, tracking legislation which touches on life-related issues, as well as advocating for our own positively pro-life agenda. Our agenda items include: (1) Strengthening the reporting requirements for abortion procedures to ensure we have accurate and timely data on abortions done in our state and (2) insuring that the Parental Notice statutes help young women receive the full protection of the law when they are young and in need of wisdom regarding the very serious and life-altering decision related to their teen pregnancy. We will forge our way through the halls of the Capitol (and traffic) for this issue and to follow our passion to grow a pro-life culture in Georgia. We want to keep you informed and hear from you throughout this legislation session, so please fill out the form below to stay updated. And we may need your help along the way to make sure our message of life is heard by our Representatives and Senators.

Please be on the lookout for our Calls to Action, which will be sent out on a regular basis and support our investment and work with a GIFT to Georgia Life Alliance Committee.

Devoted to Growing a Pro-Life Culture:

Emily Matson

Executive Director, Georgia Life Alliance

Sanctity of Life Church Bulletin Flyer

Tue, 30 Dec 2014 16:43:00 GMT

The Georgia Life Alliance is proud to take a part in spreading the pro-life message. We have partnered with the Committee on Discipleship Ministries (PCA) to develop a flyer for the Sanctity of Life Sunday on January 18, 2015 to remind people the value of life – at every stage. If you are a member or staff of a church and would like to reserve flyers to be handed out or put in your church bulletin, please fill out the form below. Order deadline is Tuesday 01/06/2015 @ 1 p.m. UPDATE: Due to the launch of our new website, we’ve extended the deadline to Wednesday 01/07/2015 @ 5 p.m.

For non-PCA churches, see the flyer here .

See the PCA version here .

A member of the Georgia Life Alliance staff will contact you directly by phone with a total printing and shipping cost to process payment. Please note that the final price will be based on the total number of bulletins ordered.

Order deadline is Tuesday 01/06/2015 @ 1 p.m. UPDATE: Due to the launch of our new website, we’ve extended the deadline to Wednesday 01/07/2015 @ 5 p.m.

The Growing Pro-Life Georgia

Fri, 07 Nov 2014 21:42:00 GMT

November 7, 2014

ATLANTA- Following weeks of targeted effort to inform and motivate pro-life voters in Georgia, the Georgia Life Alliance Committee is proud to congratulate Governor Nathan Deal and Senator-elect David Perdue on their victories in Tuesday’s election.

Through its network of staff and volunteers in the state, Georgia Life Alliance Committee distributed over 100,000 voter guides regarding the issue of Life and in relation to the U.S. Senate race. In addition, Georgia Life Alliance Committee purchased numerous radio ads on key stations and targeted social media advertising, and generated 150,000 phone calls to inform Georgia voters on the issue of Life in this mid-term election.

“It was our honor to endorse David Perdue and Governor Nathan Deal in their respective races,” said Emily Matson, Executive Director of Georgia Life Alliance.

“Governor Deal has been and will continue to be a tireless advocate for protecting innocent unborn life. We further appreciate David Perdue’s vocal and repeated commitment to protect the unborn and we look forward to developing that relationship with him as he serves in the U.S. Senate.”

Georgia Life Alliance also wishes to thank National Right to Life Committee for partnering in the voter guide distribution as well as committing, from a national level, to promote pro-life candidates in Georgia.

“We believe our modest efforts in this election, the fervent commitment of pro-life voters, and the willingness of our Georgia statesmen to stand for life demonstrate that Georgia is makings strides toward a thorough and genuine culture of life in this great State.”

For more information on Georgia Life Alliance, go to www.georgialifealliance.com

###

Perdue Victory Shows Power of Pro-Life Vote

Wed, 05 Nov 2014 15:05:00 GMT

PERDUE VICTORY SHOWS POWER OF PRO-LIFE VOTE

National Right to Life Get-Out-The-Vote Campaign Helps Georgia Victory

WASHINGTON – With strong support from the National Right to Life Political Action Committee and the National Right to Life Victory Fund, the right-to-life movement retained a pro-life seat as pro-life David Perdue defeated Michelle Nunn in Georgia tonight in the race to fill the seat vacated by retiring pro-life Sen. Saxby Chambliss. National Right to Life, together with its affiliate, Georgia Life Alliance, reached out to voters across the state to lay out the right-to-life case against Michelle Nunn.

National Right to Life contacted more than 280,000 identified pro-life households in Georgia.
An additional 220,000 pieces of literature were hand-distributed by National Right to Life and Georgia Life Alliance local grassroots volunteers. In addition, nearly 100,000 pro-life households were called reminding them of the key differences between Perdue and Nunn. National Right to Life’s political committees also aired 4,105 radio ads on 170 stations statewide, including a significant ad buy on Spanish-language radio stations.

“National Right to Life looks forward to working with Senator-elect Perdue to advance the right-to-life cause in the U.S. Senate,” said Carol Tobias, National Right to Life president. “We know that when pro-life voters are engaged in the political process, pro-life candidates enjoy a significant advantage over their pro-abortion opponents. That held true in Georgia tonight.”

About National Right to Life
Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates and more than 3,000 local chapters, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement, NRLC works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Involved in every election since Ronald Reagan’s election to the presidency, National Right to Life Political Action Committee was formed in 1979 as the political arm of National Right to Life. The National Right to Life Victory Fund, an independent expenditure political action committee founded in 2012, is dedicated to electing pro-life leaders to the White House and Congress.

# # #

Georgia Life Alliance Committee Endorses Nathan Deal for Governor

Mon, 03 Nov 2014 15:35:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Georgia Life Alliance Committee Endorses Nathan Deal for Governor

October 31, 2014

ATLANTA- The Georgia Life Alliance Committee announced its official endorsement on Friday for Governor Nathan Deal. The Georgia Life Alliance is the official state affiliate of National Right to Life.

“Governor Nathan Deal has been a champion for Georgia’s pro-life values,” said Executive Director Emily Matson. “His pro-life and pro-family positions have been clear and because of him, efforts to protect the unborn have been prioritized in the state legislature.”

Unlike Governor Deal, State Senator Jason Carter, has been clear on his pro-choice stance.

“Jason Carter fails to recognize the value of life, claiming that pro-family values aren’t ‘consistent with Christianity’,” Matson said.

The Georgia Life Alliance Committee thanks Governor Deal for taking a stand for the unborn.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Georgia Life Alliance Committee Endorses Nathan Deal for Governor

October 31, 2014

ATLANTA- The Georgia Life Alliance Committee announced its official endorsement on Friday for Governor Nathan Deal. The Georgia Life Alliance is the official state affiliate of National Right to Life.

“Governor Nathan Deal has been a champion for Georgia’s pro-life values,” said Executive Director Emily Matson. “His pro-life and pro-family positions have been clear and because of him, efforts to protect the unborn have been prioritized in the state legislature.”

Unlike Governor Deal, State Senator Jason Carter, has been clear on his pro-choice stance.

“Jason Carter fails to recognize the value of life, claiming that pro-family values aren’t ‘consistent with Christianity’,” Matson said.

The Georgia Life Alliance Committee thanks Governor Deal for taking a stand for the unborn.

###

Georgia Life Alliance Committee Endorses David Perdue for US Senate

Mon, 03 Nov 2014 15:13:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Georgia Life Alliance Committee Endorses David Perdue for US Senate
Says Nunn’s ‘Emily’s List’ endorsement indicates support for partial-birth abortion
October 21, 2014

ATLANTA – The Georgia Life Alliance Committee, an affiliate of Georgia Life Alliance and the National Right to Life Committee, today announced its official endorsement of David Perdue for the U.S. Senate.

“There has never been a more critical time to elect women and men who value the sanctity of human life and will commit to protecting the right to life,” said Emily Matson, Executive Director of the Georgia Life Alliance. “As Georgians, we are confident there is a pro-life candidate whose position is clear – and that is David Perdue.”

Perdue’s opponent, Michelle Nunn, has not only attempted to soft-sell her pro-abortion position, but has refused to tell voters where she stands on important pro-life issues. However, major donations, including a million-dollar ad purchase in the Atlanta market by Emily’s List PAC, reveal Michelle Nunn’s pro-abortion and anti-family stance.

“Emily’s List has referred to Michelle Nunn as their ‘perfect candidate’. Based upon the track record of Emily’s List endorsements, this means Michelle Nunn likely supports legal protection for late term abortions, partial birth abortions, and abortions performed on unborn fetuses at a stage during which the baby is capable of feeling the pain and torment being inflicted,” Matson said.

“Michelle Nunn’s pro-abortion position is anti-life, anti-family, and does not align with Georgians’ values. On the other hand, David Perdue has publicly committed to defend the lives of the unborn and that is what Georgia believes. GLA Committee hopes that Georgia’s compassionate voters will show that they believe in the sanctity of life by casting their vote for the pro-life candidate on November 4th.”

Early voting began in Georgia last week, with the General Election Day taking place on November 4th.

###

National Right to Life News July 23

Thu, 24 Jul 2014 19:12:00 GMT

National Right to Life New for July 23 leads with the US Senate Run-off Results from Georgia. David Purdue ran a successful campaign and will face Michelle Nunn in the fall. On his website, David Purdue has posted his answers to the NRLC Candidate questionnaire, pledging his care and support for the unborn. Other stories include sex selection IVF in Thiland, a changed mind (by Andrew Lloyd Webber) on assisted suicide, an update on abandoned "Baby Carlos", a question for pro-choice feminists and more. Enjoy and pass on to your friends. ...

National Right to Life News

Wed, 16 Jul 2014 17:21:00 GMT

July 15, 2014 U.S. Senate Democrats launch push for “the most radical pro-abortion bill ever considered by Congress” WASHINGTON – Four months before the mid-term congressional election, Senate Democrats are pushing into the national...

Senate Democrats Launch Push for Sweeping Abortion Bill

Wed, 16 Jul 2014 12:41:00 GMT

For immediate release: Tuesday, July 15, 2014
For more information: Tatiana Bergum, (202) 626-8825, mediarelations@nrlc.org

National Right to Life:
U.S. Senate Democrats launch push for
“the most radical pro-abortion bill ever considered by Congress”

WASHINGTON – Four months before the mid-term congressional election, Senate Democrats are pushing into the national spotlight “the most radical pro-abortion bill ever considered by Congress,” said Carol Tobias, president of the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of state right-to-life organizations.

Tobias was one of two non-congressional witnesses who testified against the so-called “Women’s Health Protection Act” (S. 1696), at a hearing before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee this morning.

“This bill is really about just one thing: it seeks to strip away from elected lawmakers the ability to provide even the most minimal protections for unborn children, at any stage of their pre-natal development,” Tobias told the committee. “Calling the bill the ‘Abortion Without Limits Until Birth Act’ would be more in line with truth-in-advertising standards.”

The bill has been heavily promoted by pro-abortion activist groups since its introduction last November, although it has been largely ignored by the mainstream news media. The measure has 35 Senate cosponsors, all Democrats, including nine of the 10 Democrats on the Judiciary Committee. The chief sponsor of the bill, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), chaired today’s hearing.

The bill would invalidate nearly all existing state limitations on abortion, and prohibit states from adopting new limitations in the future, including various types of laws specifically upheld as constitutionally permissible by the U.S. Supreme Court. Among the laws that the bill would nullify are requirements to provide women seeking abortion with specific information on their unborn child and on alternatives to abortion, laws providing reflection periods (waiting periods), laws allowing medical professionals to opt out of providing abortions, laws limiting the performance of abortions to licensed physicians, bans on elective abortion after 20 weeks, meaningful limits on abortion after viability, and bans on the use of abortion as a method of sex selection. These laws generally have broad public support in the states in which they are enacted, including support from substantial majorities of women.

The bill would also invalidate most previously enacted federal limits on abortion, including federal conscience protection laws and most, if not all, limits on government funding of abortion.

“We believe that many voters will be appalled to learn that nearly two-thirds of Senate Democrats have cosponsored a bill to impose nationwide the extreme ideological doctrine that elective abortion must not be limited in any meaningful way, at any stage of pregnancy,” Tobias said.

However, in her testimony Tobias also issued a surprising challenge, calling on the leadership of the Democrat-controlled committee, and the Democrat leadership of the full Senate, to allow a floor vote on the bill – but at the same time, to allow a vote on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S. 1670), sponsored by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) “In the spirit of ‘pro-choice,’ why not give the Senate a choice as well?,” Tobias said to Blumenthal.

“We challenge you, and the leadership of the majority party, to allow the American people to see where every senator stands on both of these major abortion-related bills,” Tobias said. “Let the American people see which bill reflects the values of each member of the United States Senate.”

The Graham bill, which has 41 Senate cosponsors, duplicates legislation that has already passed the House of Representatives (H.R. 1797). The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would generally protect unborn children in the sixth month and later (20 weeks), by which point they are capable of experiencing great pain during abortions.

Video from today’s hearing is available on C-SPAN’s website here:
http://www.c-span.org/video/?320439-1/hearing-womens-health-protection-act

The complete text of the opening statement and challenge by Carol Tobias is posted here:
http://www.nrlc.org/federal/foca/opening-statement-and-challenge-by-nrlc-president-carol-tobias-to-the-u-s-senate-judiciary-committee-july-15-2014-at-a-public-hearing-on-the-womens-health-pro/

The written testimony of Carol Tobias, which includes detailed discussion of the radical scope of the “Women’s Health Protection Act,” with numerous citations, is posted here:
http://www.nrlc.org/uploads/foca/CarolTobiasTestimonyOnS1696.pdf

For interviews with Tobias or National Right to Life’s legislative staff, please contact the National Right to Life Communications Department at (202) 626-8825 or email mediarelations@nrlc.org .

National Right to Life News

Mon, 14 Jul 2014 19:13:00 GMT

NRL Video Contest Winners receive standing ovation at NRLC 44 By Luis Zaffirini Starting last year, the National Right to Life Video Contest has offered pro-life youth the opportunity to be honored for their...

National Right to Life News

Thu, 10 Jul 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Pro-life women helping centers win in challenge to Austin, Texas ordinance By Dave Andrusko Another favorable decision in the ongoing battle to combating the pro-abortion assault on pro-life pregnancy help centers. In a 15-page...

NRLC June Newsletter

Wed, 02 Jul 2014 21:45:00 GMT

Just out: the National Right to Life Monthly Newsletter for June. President Carol Tobias discusses the pro-life movement in her monthly column, we get a detailed look into the U.S. Senate and how the NRLC is working to create a pro-life Senate, and we find out who won the NRTL essay contest in the month’s newsletter.

Since November 1973, NRLC has covered the pro-life news across the country. We are proud to support the efforts of NRLC and advocate for the vulnerable, the abandoned, and the defenseless.

NRLC May Newsletter

Thu, 29 May 2014 21:32:00 GMT

Check out the National Right to Life Monthly Newsletter for May. Included this month are twenty seven stories, the President’s column, an editorial, and a two-page ad for the pro-life educational event of the year the annual NRLC Convention June 26-28 in Louisville .

Since November 1973, NRLC has covered the pro-life news across the country. There are stories about the wonderful news that abortions have dropped to the lowest number in decades, passage of state legislation, grassroots pro-life contributions, the impact of ObamaCare, elections, the latest examples of pro-abortion actions, prenatal development (and babies with negative prenatal diagnoses whose parents refused to abort them)to name just a handful.

Georgia Life Alliance will be attending the Convention and we’d love to see as many Georgians as can come. So, if you register, please let us know so we can be sure to meet you in Louisville. It would be wonderful to have a good showing for Georgia. Write to us at: info@georgialifealliance.com.

You can register for the Convention here. We look forward to seeing you!

Georiga Life Alliance Releases Candidate Survey Results

Mon, 12 May 2014 19:00:00 GMT

ROME, GA – The Georgia Life Alliance (GLA) has released the results of the 2014 Primary Candidate Questionnaire . GLA surveyed candidates in contested State House and State Senate primaries on issues concerning life.

“As Georgia’s newest pro-life organization and official National Right to Life affiliate, we look forward to playing an increasing role in informing Georgia’s voters of where candidates and elected officials stand on the issues of Life,” said GLA Executive Director Emily Matson. “We are pleased with the number of responses we’ve received for this first round of questionnaires and plan on seeing an even bigger response in the future.”

Some campaigns did not respond to multiple inquiries from GLA, while two State House candidates, Republican Beth Beskin and Democrat Yasmin Neal, directly refused to fill out the questionnaire.

To see the list of which candidates responded in each race, visit GeorgiaLifeAlliance.com/candidate-questionnaire-results . You will also find the full results of each candidate’s individual questionnaire.

Contact:
Emily Matson, Executive Director
Georgia Life Alliance
678-597-8055
Emily@georgialifealliance.com

Georgia Life Alliance

It's All Connected

It's All Connected

Today She Chose Life. However...

Today She Chose Life. However…

Medication Abortion and The Expansion of Abortion in The U.S.

By Guest Author: Dr. Kathleen M. Raviele, MD FACOG

Speak Life 23 Now Open!

SPEAK LIFE 23 - NOW ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS

BREAKING: Conflicting Rulings on Chemical Abortion Ensure Supreme Court Involvement

TWO FEDERAL JUDGES ISSUE CONCURRING & CONFLICTING RULINGS ON ACCESS TO CHEMICAL ABORTION

CONFLICTING ABORTION PILL RULINGS

What Does This Mean?

What Exactly WAS The Texas Challenge?

What Exactly WAS The Washington State Challenge?

What Exactly WAS The Washington State Challenge?

How Can You Help?

HEARTBEAT BILL BEFORE GA SUPREME COURT TOMORROW!

HEARTBEAT BILL BEFORE GA SUPREME COURT TOMORROW!

Q&A With GLA: What the FDA's Latest Chemical Abortion Decision Means

READ OUR NEW Q&A ABOUT ABORTION PILLS IN NEIGHBORHOOD PHARMACIES

The Case That Could STOP Chemical Abortion In America

NATIONWIDE BAN OF CHEMICAL ABORTION PILLS

What Does This Mean?

What Exactly IS The Challenge?

What Happens Next?

GLA Issues Statement on Betsy Kramer's Certification Status

AG Carr: I’m Fighting to Protect the Most Vulnerable Among Us

AG Carr: I’m Fighting to Protect the Most Vulnerable Among Us

Betsy's Law Signed by Governor Kemp!

SCOTUS Votes To Overrule Roe!

SCOTUS Votes To Overrule Roe!

AG Carr: We’re putting human traffickers behind bars and rescuing Georgia’s children

AG Carr: We’re putting human traffickers behind bars and rescuing Georgia’s children

GLA Announces Exciting Leadership Changes for 2022

GLA Announces Exciting Leadership Changes for 2022

GLA’s Flagship Legislation, The Women’s Health & Safety Act, Introduced In Georgia Senate

GLA’s Flagship Legislation, The Women’s Health & Safety Act, Introduced In Georgia Senate

10 Things You Should Know Before Your Abortion

Originally written March 17th, 2015

10 Things You Should Know Before Your Abortion - Open Letter to My Best Friend

Georgia Life Alliance & Pro-life Coalition Urge Senators to Oppose Califf for FDA Commissioner

Biden’s Nominee Weakened Safeguards on Abortion Drugs, Endangering Women

GLA & NRLC Send Letter To The UN On International Human Rights Day

On International Human Rights Day, National Right to Life and Georgia Life Alliance Remind the United Nations that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Protects the Rights of the Unborn Child; It Does Not Protect Abortion

I'm Thankful For Abortion Bans

This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for abortion bans.

He said his daughter-in-law attempted to abort his grandson without telling anyone, but she was turned away because it was too late under Georgia’s abortion laws.

BREAKING: 11th Circuit Stays Our Heartbeat Bill

Everything Has Changed

URGENT: Stop Taxpayer Funded Abortions

Roe is just the beginning...

God isn't done with us yet...

5 Things I Want to Tell My Daughter’s Mother

Speak Life 2021 Oratory Contest

When Women and Children Are The Price Tag of Petty Politics

State Can Do More to Help Challenged Foster Kids

GEORGIA LIFE ALLIANCE COMMITTEE LAUNCHES $3 MILLION PRO-LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN AROUND 2020 ELECTIONS; LARGEST IN STATE HISTORY﻿

Georgia Senators Targeting the Elderly with Profoundly Immoral New Bill

Jim Quinn Certified Pro-Life by Georgia Life Alliance

Redefining Adoption in Today’s Modern World

To the foster girl who is 17 and scared for her future

Plan B Deception

Abortion Activists’ New Plot To Target Pro-Lifers In Georgia

Nina Blackwelder Certified Pro-Life by Georgia Life Alliance

Philip Singleton Certified Pro-Life by Georgia Life Alliance

Marcy Sakrison Certified Pro-Life by Georgia Life Alliance

A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing: ACOG’s Not-So-Hidden Agenda

BREAKING: Planned Parenthood & ACLU Sue to Stop Heartbeat Bill

CANCELLED: Artist Censored for Pro-Life Beliefs

How NASA’s Search For Aliens Is Exposing The Abortion Industry

Arguments Against The Heartbeat Bill Keep Falling Flat

Because We Care About Women

The Litmus Test

When They Say, You Say

Life At The Capitol- 2/23/19

We Need To Talk About Stacey Abrams

Chuck Eaton Certified Pro-Life by Georgia Life Alliance

New GLA Leadership Team

Running Toward Special Needs Adoption

GEORGIA LIFE ALLIANCE COMMITTEE LAUNCHES $3 MILLION PRO-LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN AROUND 2020 ELECTIONS; LARGEST IN STATE HISTORY