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PA Pro-Life Federation

PA Pro-Life News

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Pennsylvania Pro-Life Online News from the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation

February 1, 2008

A publication of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
4800 Jonestown Rd., Suite 102
Harrisburg, PA 17109
717-541-0034

If you have trouble accessing any of these stories, you can find them on our website at http://www.paprolife.org/resources/e_news.html.

For Breaking News updates daily, visit our website at www.paprolife.org.

Pregnant? Need Help? Go to www.realalternatives.org.

Had an Abortion? Need Healing? Visit www.rachelsvineyard.org.

In this issue:

Births, Abortions Rise in PA
How Pro-Abortion are Clinton and Obama?
The Face of Abortion
"Baby Samuel" Photographer to Headline Banquet
Pro-Life Job Opening--Harrisburg
Attention Students!
Speakers Training Session Planned for Scranton
Help Us Spread the Pro-Life Word!
Chapter Information from Around the State--Erie County & Warren County

Help us in our life-saving work! Quick, easy online donation now available. Donate by logging onto http://www.paprolife.org/donate.

Births, Abortions Rise in PA

From a Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation News Release

Harrisburg, PA – Both the birth rate and the abortion rate increased in Pennsylvania in 2006, according to figures released by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Births in the Commonwealth in 2006 totaled 148,703, up from 145,033 in 2005. The rise in births appears to mirror a national trend. In 2006, 4.3 million babies were born in the U.S.—the most births in 45 years. Nationally, births were more common in nearly every age, racial, and ethnic group. The U.S. fertility rate of 2.1 is higher than that of every nation in continental Europe, as well as Japan, Australia, and Canada.

Meanwhile, abortions in Pennsylvania rose to 36,731, a 5.2 increase over the 2005 total, but a 44.2 percent decrease from the 1980 total of 65,777. Pennsylvania's landmark Abortion Control Act, which included such protective provisions as parental consent, informed consent, and a 24-hour waiting period for abortions, has been credited with helping to cut Pennsylvania's abortion rate almost in half.

"We are fortunate to have one of the most protective laws in the nation when it comes to abortion," said Maria Vitale, Education Director of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, the state affiliate of National Right to Life. "Many lives have been saved as a result of Pennsylvania's landmark law," Vitale added.

The abortion rate in Pennsylvania would also be much higher were it not for Real Alternatives, the state-funded alternatives to abortion program. From diapers to day care referrals, Real Alternatives offers comprehensive support to women facing unexpected pregnancies. Real Alternatives has served more than 133,000 women and their families in Pennsylvania over the last 13 years and has become a model for the nation. In 2006, the number of clients served by Real Alternatives increased 7 percent to a record 17,874.

"Through Real Alternatives, lives are being saved and women are being empowered. It's important for us to expand funding for this program—a program where we're really getting our money's worth," said Vitale.

Women facing unexpected pregnancies can call the Real Alternatives hotline number at 1-888-LIFE-AID for immediate, confidential assistance.

You can read the full report on Pennsylvania abortion statistics at http://www.paprolife.org/2006%20ABORTION%20STATISTICS%20AND%20MATERNAL%20DEATHS%20PA%20OCCURENCES%202005.pdf

How Pro-Abortion are Clinton and Obama?

By Charlene Bashore, Esq., Legislative/Political Action Committee Director (bashore@paprolife.org)

How pro-abortion can a Presidential candidate be? It seems as if both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are clamoring for the title of the most extreme pro-abortion candidate, accusing each other of NOT being pro-abortion "enough." Both are strong supporters of Roe v. Wade . Both are co-sponsors of the Freedom of Choice Act. (National Right to Life Voters Guide) "NARAL president Nancy Keenan has had enough—not of pro-life Americans educating the public about abortion's risks and dangers but of Democratic Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama fighting each other." (http://www.lifenews.com/nat3670.html) In response to criticism from the Clinton campaign, an Obama spokesman touted the candidate's 100 percent pro-abortion rating. (http://lifenews.com/nat3507.html) Lest there be any doubt, "All of the candidates have voted pro-choice; have publicly affirmed that they are pro-choice; and have taken actions that back up their pro-choice voting records and statements." (http://www.lifenews.com/nat3670.html)

The Face of Abortion

By Maria Vitale, Education Director (vitale@paprolife.org)

The face of abortion may be streaked with tears...tears for a child who was never held. The face of abortion may be haunted by what might have been--the backyard softball games that might have been played, the piano lessons that might have been taken. The face of abortion can be quite familiar--it may be as near as the next pew, or the upstairs bedroom.

Yet, the face of abortion can also be quite unknown to us, since the victims of abortion often grieve alone and silently. The face of abortion is both female and male, since both sexes have been wounded by the so-called "right to choose."

For years, the pro-life movement has been reaching out to touch the face of abortion, to bring compassion and understanding to those fearful of condemnation. Each day, women and men across the country who have undergone the abortion experience are finding hope, healing, and forgiveness, thanks to post-abortion ministries.

If you know of a woman or man who is hurting from abortion, encourage him or her to visit www.rachelsvineyard.org. There, you can find answers to questions about post-abortion health, emotions, relationships, and men's issues.

Visit the website, and you'll find this explanation of what Rachel's Vineyard is all about:

"Rachel's Vineyard is a safe place to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion. Weekend retreats offer you a supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment where women and men can express, release and reconcile painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing.

"Rachel's Vineyard can help you find your inner voice. It can help you experience God's love and compassion on a profound level. It creates a place where men and women can share, often for the first time, their deepest feelings about abortion. You are allowed to dismantle troubling secrets in an environment of emotional and spiritual safety.

"Rachel's Vineyard is therapy for the soul. Participants, who have been trapped in anger toward themselves or others, experience forgiveness. Peace is found. Lives are restored. A sense of hope and meaning for the future is finally re-discovered."

As pro-lifers, let us pledge to make 2008 the year when we reach out to post-abortive women and men more than ever before, sharing their pain and their hopes for a brighter future.

"Baby Samuel" Photographer to Headline Banquet

The photographer who captured the amazing sight of an unborn child reaching out from his mother's womb will be the keynote speaker at the 2008 Celebrate Life Banquet October 16th in Harrisburg. Michael Clancy tells the incredible story of how the "Baby Samuel" picture changed his life--and how it's now saving lives around the world. If you missed Clancy's riveting presentation in Pittsburgh at the statewide pro-life conference last November, make plans now to come to Harrisburg for the pro-life event of the year. Watch www.paprolife.org for details.

Pro-Life Job Opening - Harrisburg

The state headquarters of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation in Harrisburg has an opening for a part-time (15 - 20 flexible hours per week) pro-life clerical assistant to sort and open mail, prepare donation remittance slips for computer entry, enter all credit card transactions for electronic processing, respond to member requests, assemble bulk mailings and answer the telephone. High school diploma or GED with at least of one year of office experience and computer data entry is required. If interested in being considered, please send cover email and resume to Executive Director, Michael Ciccocioppo, at ciccocioppo@paprolife.org . For more information, you are welcome to call the office at 717-541-0034.

Attention Students!

The deadline for our pro-life essay contest is less than a month away! The essay contest is open to students in grades 7-12. Students must write a pro-life essay on abortion, infanticide, or euthanasia. Word limit is 500 for grades 7-9 and 750 for grades 10-12. Winning essays will receive cash prizes and will appear in an upcoming issue of our quarterly newspaper, LifeLines. To enter, send your essay, along with a cover page with your name, address, phone number, name of school (or if homeschooled), and grade to the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation; 4800 Jonestown Rd., Suite 102; Harrisburg, PA; 17109. Or e-mail your entries to lifelines@paprolife.org. Deadline for entries is March 1st.

If you like to give speeches, consider entering our oratory contest. The oratory contest is open to high school juniors and seniors. Students should prepare a five to seven minute talk on abortion, infanticide, or euthanasia. Students must compete in a regional contest first. The top two finishers in each regional contest will then compete in the state contest in Harrisburg in April. The winner of the state contest will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the National Right to Life Convention in Washington, D.C. this summer, where he or she will compete in the national contest. To find out how you can enter a regional contest, contact Education Director Maria Vitale at vitale@paprolife.org or by calling 717-541-0034. We're looking forward to hearing your pro-life words of wisdom!

Speakers Training Session Planned for Scranton

If you are a teacher, doctor, nurse, parent, or other dedicated pro-lifer, consider attending a pro-life speakers training session being held in Scranton by the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation. The event will take place March 29th at 10 a.m. at the PHL office in Scranton. Maria Vitale, Education Director for the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, will be conducting the training. Maria has been giving pro-life talks for students and community groups for the past five years and previously worked as a reporter and producer for public radio and television. If you're interested in attending this free workshop, please contact Maria at vitale@paprolife.org or at 717-541-0034.

Help Us Spread the Pro-Life Word!

If you've been enjoying what you've been reading in the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Online News, please forward it to your friends and encourage them to sign up to receive our informative e-mail newsletter twice a month. It's more important than ever that those pro-lifers have up-to-date facts on the life issues, and the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Online News is a wonderful way to stay abreast of the latest pro-life information, both in the state and nationwide. Anyone interested in subscribing should send an e-mail to lifelines@paprolife.org with the word "subscribe" in the subject line.

Chapter Information from Around the State

Erie People for Life will be holding a breakfast Feb. 2nd at 9 a.m. at the Avalon Hotel in Erie. Keynote speaker is nationally-known pro-life activist Janet Folger. Price is $10, with a reduced price of $7.50 for children ages 3 to 10. For more information, call 814-882-1333.

Warren County is in the early stages of forming a new chapter of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation. If you live or work in Warren County we invite you to join in this important endeavor. The Pennsylvania Department of Health recently reported that 15 babies from Warren County lost their lives to abortion in 2006 alone. More needs to be done to educate the citizens of this area about the truth regarding abortion and other pro-life issues. The effects are devastating for women and babies, but they are also depriving the community of scores and scores of its citizens. To learn more, contact the chapter organizers in Warren County, Ryan and Dawn Yost, at yostsrus@verizon.net or the Federation Executive Director in Harrisburg, Michael Ciccocioppo, at ciccocioppo@paprolife.org .

Live in Southeast PA? Contact SE Regional Coordinator Gail Kilby to find out more about joining a chapter in Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, or Philadelphia County. You can reach Gail by e-mail at kilby@paprolife.org or you can call her at 215-884-5805.

Live in the Southwest? If you'd like to become involved in a chapter, contact Southwest Regional Coordinator Bryce McMinn, who recently set up a regional office in Washington County. Here's his contact information: Bryce C. McMinn, Southwest Regional Coordinator; Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation; 74 Oak Spring Road, Suite 101; Washington, PA 15301; Work Phone: 724-228-1162; Cell Phone: 412-835-2812; E-Mail: mcminn@paprolife.org.

More Chapter Info:

The PA Pro-Life Online News is a publication of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation; 4800 Jonestown Rd., Suite 102; Harrisburg, PA; 17109. It is never sent unsolicited. To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to lifelines@paprolife.org.

IN THIS ISSUE: