We're Saying Thanks

The legislature may not be in session, but it's never a bad time to say "thanks" to the men and women who do so much to protect the dignity of life in North Carolina. 

On Saturday, Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion groups will have a "Moral March" in Raleigh. Not only are they busing in NC college students, they're also bringing in people from out of state. Why? Because North Carolina is one of the leading states in protecting babies and mothers from abortion, and they don't like that. Let's take advantage of this to remind our pro-life legislators that we're PROUD of their hard work! 

In recent years, our General Assembly has passed the following pro-life laws:

• Woman's Right to Know
• Unborn Victims of Violence Act (Ethen's Law)
• SB353
  -Opt out of abortion in Obamacare and the city/county employee health plans
  -Ban sex selection abortions
  -Ban webcam abortions

Do your part. Thank your pro-life General Assembly members*. Please take a few moments to write a note, send an email, or make a phone call. Representatives' contact information can be found here, and senators' contact information is here. These elected officials face a great deal of criticism for their defense of the unborn, and they need to hear our appreciation!

You can also join us as we tweet #NC4Life and #ProLifeNC on Saturday in recognition of all their efforts to stand for life! When you tweet, be sure to use @thomtillis, @PatMcCroryNC, or @SenatorBerger, as well as the names of any other pro-life legislators on Twitter. 

Unsure who to contact? Here are some suggestions: 

• Speaker of the House Thom Tillis
• President Pro Tempore Phil Berger 
• Governor Pat McCrory (signed SB353 into law)
• Those who voted "aye" on SB353
  -Senators
  -Representatives

*All Republican members, with the exception of Representative Charles Jeter and Senator Bill Rabon, voted pro-life. Unfortunately, no Democrats voted for our newly-passed 2013 laws. 

H.R. 7, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, Passes House

On January 28, 2014, the U.S. House passed H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act with a 227-188 vote. The following commentary is taken from National Right to Life's commentary on the bill's passage: 

H.R. 7, sponsored by Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Dan Lipinski (D-Il.), would codify the principles of the Hyde Amendment on a permanent, government-wide basis, applicable to both longstanding federal health programs and to the new programs created by Obamacare. Under the bill, health plans that cover

elective abortions would not qualify for federal subsidies, although such plans could still be sold to those who wish to purchase them with personal funds.
On today’s vote on passage, the bill was supported by 221 Republicans and six Democrats. It was opposed by one Republican and 187 Democrats, many of whom echoed attacks on the bill found in a veto threat issued by the White House.

“The White House veto threat demonstrates yet again that President Obama is engaging in establishing massive federal subsidies for abortion on demand, notwithstanding his evasions and denials,” said National Right to Life President Carol Tobias. “The 188 House members who voted against the bill will be firmly marked as supporters of federal funding for elective abortion.”

Further details on specific components of H.R. 7 are found in NRLC’s January 24 letter to the House of Representatives (http://www.nrlc.org/uploads/ahc/NRLCToHouseHR7.pdf). More extensive documentation on the abortion-expanding provisions of Obamacare, and the overall history of limitations on federal subsidies for abortion, are found in NRLC’s congressional testimony at http://www.nrlc.org/uploads/ahc/ProtectLifeActDouglasJohnsonTestimony.pdf.

North Carolinians should be proud of the nine House members who voted "yes" on the bill. Congressman Mark Meadows (R-11), one of the bill's supporters, gave a short but moving pro-life testimony during the debate. You can watch that speech here and see the votes below. Please contact your representatives to thank them for their "yes" votes! Being pro-life in Congress isn't easy, and they need your support. 

How the U.S. House from North Carolina voted: voted    � Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-1) N    � Rep. Howard Coble (R-6) Y    � Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-2) Y    � Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-5) Y    � Rep. George Holding (R-13) Y    � Rep. Richard Hudson (R-8) Y    � Rep. Walter Jones (R-3) NV    � Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-10) Y    � Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-7) Y    � Rep. Mark Meadows (R-11) Y    � Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-9) Y    � Rep. David Price (D-4) N

What a Week!

It's been quite the busy week for pro-lifers in North Carolina! On Saturday, January 18th, hundreds of people joined NCRTL for the Prayer Breakfast, Rally, and March for Life in downtown Raleigh. Just a few days later, thousands more from all over the country gathered on the Mall in Washington, D.C., for the national March for Life. At the Prayer Breakfast, we were pleased to be joined by three hundred grassroots supporters, as well as the Lieutenant Governor and many of the pro-life legislators who helped make the passage of SB353 possible. Our featured speaker, Steven Mosher of The Population Research Institute, spoke about "Overpopulation, a Myth that Kills (Little Girls in Particular)." It was a fascinating account of the growing problem of gender-selection abortions, including in the United States, and he praised North Carolina for passing legislation against it here. He shared this video as an illustration of the myth of overpopulation, as well.  Assistant Director Erin Karlovich, 2013 NRL Academy graduate Will Moore, and local college students pose with the NCRTL banner before the March for Life. Photo credit Elizabeth Foley. Approximately 2,000 people joined us for the Rally in Nash Square, followed by the March for Life. At the rally, NCRTL President Barbara Holt praised the legislators and the grassroots supporters for the success of the past year. “Much has been accomplished over the past year and we take this time to share these successes and encourage the faithful to help us realize even greater successes in the future. Too many unborn children continue to die through abortion,” she explained. “We particularly want to see the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act passed both on the state and federal level.” Check out our Facebook page for more pictures and details!  Despite temperatures in the teens and snow on the ground, thousands of pro-lifers from all over the country gathered in Washington, D.C. for the national March for Life on Wednesday.  While the March for Life marks a sobering event--the tragic passage of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court case responsible for the deaths of millions of unborn children--the energy and excitement in the crowd was a reminder that we celebrate the great good that is life. We are blessed to be a movement of young people, something quite evident at the March for Life. Whether marchers are chanting, singing, praying, or walking in silence, their presence makes an impact.  Though the weather did deter some groups from coming, many North Carolinians braved the trip. After the March, Senator Richard Burr welcomed his constituents with a reception in the Russell Senate Office Building. The hot drinks and cookies were much appreciated after being outside for so long! We are very grateful to have a supportive pro-life senator from North Carolina. The March for Life ends in front of the Supreme Court. If you have never attended the March for Life, we at NCRTL encourage you to do so! It's truly an inspiring, motivating experience, and you will not regret it.

Upcoming Student-Friendly Events

Have you ever wanted to get your teens more involved in pro-life activities? North Carolina Right to Life offers many opportunities for you and your family to learn about and participate in the pro-life world. Below are descriptions of some of our upcoming events, and we’d love to see you at some!

Prayer Breakfast for Life (January 18): Every January, NCRTL sponsors a morning of fellowship and prayer in Downtown Raleigh on the day of the local March for Life. Guests enjoy a buffet-style breakfast, hear from a featured speaker, and are led in prayer for an end to abortion. This is a great opportunity to meet other pro-lifers, hear from famous speakers, and receive inspiration for the coming year. This year’s featured speaker is Steven Mosher, President of The Population Research Institute. 

Tickets are required for this event, and can be purchased here. Guests will have the opportunity to buy a resource book, which can also be purchased here (order soon, as quantities are limited). Books will also be available after the March for Life. 

Rally and March for Life (January 18): Washington, D.C. is famous for its huge annual March for Life, but for those who can’t or don’t want to travel, we have one in downtown Raleigh! Join us at Nash Square at 1 o’clock (right after the prayer breakfast, and only 3 blocks away) for a short rally, followed by a march through the streets. Families, youth groups, and church groups especially enjoy this event. Of course, the national March isn’t until the 22^nd, so you can come to both if you like!

Pro-Life Essay Contest (deadline January 22): Attention students in grades 7-12! The annual National Right to Life Pro-Life Essay Contest is accepting submissions through January 22^nd. Each essay should address the subject “Why I Am Pro-Life” in 300-500 words. Not only is this a great chance to practice writing skills, it’s also a good time to learn how to articulate one’s pro-life beliefs. As an added bonus, the top three essays in each category receive monetary prizes! What’s there to lose?

Pro-Life Oratory Contest (May 17): Every May, NCRTL sponsors a statewide oratory contest in Greensboro. Winners receive a certificate, free admittance to Camp Joshua, and the opportunity to attend the National Right to Life Convention to compete on the National level. Please note that a short application must be submitted by April 15^th in order to participate.

Camp Joshua NC (July 18-20): Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are invited to attend this fun weekend camp to learn more about pro-life issues and meet like-minded peers. Students attend educational workshops on abortion, euthanasia, and stem cell research, as well as leadership sessions to learn how to share the pro-life message effectively. The goal of Camp Joshua NC is to send young people back to their communities with the knowledge and confidence to promote the pro-life message.

NRL Academy (Summer 2014): College students interested in furthering their pro-life education should seriously consider attending the Right to Life Academy, a five-week program held at National Right to Life’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. A self-described “pro-life boot camp,” the NRL Academy gives students the unique opportunity to learn from some of the country’s top pro-life leaders and earn college credit. Every year, students attend the Academy and come back with the knowledge, education, and support necessary to make a difference. North Carolina is privileged to offer the Scholarship for Life; this scholarship covers the Academy tuition and lodging for one NC student each year.

As you can see, there's lots going on for young people in North Carolina!

Guest Post: NCSU Students for Life

**Thanks to Teresa Pincus, president of NCSU Students for Life, for submitting this post!**

This past semester has certainly been an eventful one for our pro-life group on campus despite the usual business of obtaining a college degree and the difficulties associated with it. Students for Life started the semester with a bang by participating in recruitment fairs to promote our message and our club. We were able to meet many people and had some good discussions.

Our first impactful activity was participating in National Pro-life Chalk Day. We wrote loving, truthful messages around the more populated spots on campus.  The next day, we were in for a surprise. Our messages were defaced in support of “women’s choice.”  The same tired rhetoric of bodily autonomy and scare tactics of illegal abortions where used to justify the dismemberment of tiny human beings. No one cared to address the issue at hand. The abortion is the intent to kill human beings at early stages of development

 As the semester progressed, we held some meetings that discussed the pro-life movement and reviewed pro-life arguments. Then, we were invited to join pro-lifers around the state at the North Carolina Right to Life Banquet.  There, we had the pleasure to meet Lt. Governor Dan Forrest and Carol Tobias, the President of National Right to Life Committee.  Both of these great pro-life leaders inspired us to continue to be unapologetic voices for those who cannot speak for themselves. It was a great opportunity to mingle and connect with the pro-life community in North Carolina.

Soon, the pro-life month of October was upon us. This month is very busy for us and the pro-life movement. We participated in the national campaigns of Life Chain, Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity, and 40 Days for Life. Also, we volunteered to run the NC Right to Life education booth at the state fair. At the booth, we were able to talk to people and raise awareness about the humanity of the unborn. The best part was watching children marvel at the tiny babies in the fetal development display.

One of the biggest events we held on campus was the Planned Parenthood Project. We borrowed a display from Students for Life of America that described how Planned Parenthood profits from the most vulnerable people of society: unborn children. Along with the signs, we set up roughly 915 crosses that represented the 915 lives that Planned Parenthood takes daily.

While the weather was anything but ideal (note the umbrellas), we still made waves on campus. Some students who stopped by learned that Planned Parenthood performs abortions, a fact that they did not previously know. Some stopped by just to spew profanities. A few stopped to have a dialogue with us and others stopped by in support of this project. Not only were people upset about our group being vocal about our pro-life beliefs, but they were upset that we were exposing truth about Planned Parenthood.  Planned Parenthood only cares about its bottom line and not women. 

To end the semester, we held our first ever diaper drive.  These diapers were donated to the Gabriel Project, who helps parents with young children. We are proud to support the Gabriel Project because not only do we care about children in utero, but we care about children’s wellbeing once they are born.

It is very important for us to engage in many of the different aspects of the pro-life movement, not only on our campus, but in our community. The movement is so diverse that there is a place for everyone. By exposing ourselves to the variety of approaches the movement takes, we can find our niche and work to further advance the culture of life. If you are a student at NC State or intend to become a part of the Wolfpack in the fall, I encourage you to get in touch with us or follow us on Facebook.  We have accomplished so much and we look forward to the following semester of activism. 

NCRTL News, Delivered to Your Inbox

Did you know NCRTL sends out email alerts and web newsletters? We do! Our e-alerts are great for keeping up to date with the latest pro-life happenings in North Carolina. 

When the General Assembly is not in session, we send out biweekly email newsletters packed full of news, information about upcoming events, blog posts, and anything else we think you should know. It's an easy way to stay informed, and because we only send them every two weeks, you won't feel overwhelmed with emails. 

During the legislative sessions, we send out action alerts so that you know exactly what's happening with our pro-life legislation. You'll learn about the bills we're supporting or opposing, as well as what you can do to help. Sometimes all we need is for our grassroots supporters to call their legislators about a particular bill, but if something really important is happening, we may ask you to come to the Legislative Building for a pro-life presence!

Last summer, our legislation drew so much attention that Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion groups rallied and lobbied in pink T-shirts, so we asked our supporters to come in wearing blue. We sponsored a Pro-Life Information and Lobby Day in April, and when our bills were up for vote later in the summer, we urged everyone to show their support by sitting in the galleries during debates. 

Signing up for e-alerts is a simple first step in becoming more acquainted with NCRTL's life-saving work. If you've ever wanted to be more knowledgeable about North Carolina's pro-life activity or more active in the movement, consider signing up!

Prayer Breakfast, Rally, and March for Life Coming Soon!

On Saturday, January 18th we will be commemorating the 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade with our annual prayer breakfast, rally, and March for Life. 

The Prayer Breakfast for Life, founded in 2000, brings together committed pro-lifers who are eager to celebrate our victories and become energized for another year of life-saving work. 

Steven Mosher

This year's featured speaker is Steven Mosher, president of The Population Research Institute, an internationally recognized authority on China and population issues, and an acclaimed author and speaker. He was worked tirelessly since 1979 to fight coercive population control programs and has helped hundreds of thousands of women and families worldwide. 

This year, the Prayer Breakfast for Life will be held at the Sheraton in downtown Raleigh. The doors will open at 9 in the morning, with the buffet opening at 9:30 and the program beginning at 10 o'clock. Ticket pricing, directions, and more details about the program can be found on our website here. 

The Rally for Life will begin at 1pm in Nash Square. Confirmed speakers include Barbara Holt, president of NC Right to Life, Steven Mosher, president of The Population Research Institute, the Very Rev. Michael Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, and William Moore, 2014 Scholarship for Life recipient and NRL Academy graduate. 

This event is most effective when lots of people attend, so bring a crowd! Families, church groups, and youth groups are especially encouraged to attend. Your presence has an influence on all who see you, and you will be making a stand for life! 

Following the rally there will be a March for Life through the streets of Raleigh, with refreshments at the end. NCRTL will also provide literature and pro-life materials for anyone interested.