NRLC, Representative Stam Endorse Tillis for Senate

Rep. Thom Tillis

This week, both National Right to Life and Representative Paul "Skip" Stam have endorsed Speaker of the NC House Thom Tillis for U.S. Senate. 

In a statement released by National Right to Life, president Carol Tobias describes Tillis as "an outspoken leader in the fight to protect innocent human life in North Carolina, and . . . the only candidate with a proven record of leadership who can defeat pro-abortion Sen. Kay Hagan this fall.

Representative Stam also notes Tillis' excellent pro-life accomplishments as Speaker of the House in the General Assembly. He additionally comments on his solid conservative leadership and ability to work with Democrats and Republicans alike to pass commonsense legislation on the state level. 

Representative Tillis and several other Republican candidates will be on the May 6 primary ballot. Please encourage your pro-life friends to vote!

February Recap

February was a short month, but there was a lot going on!

1. Attorney General Confirms State Will Appeal Abortion Ultrasound Law

Image Source: National Right to Life

On February 7, Attorney General Roy Cooper said the state will appeal the recently rejected abortion ultrasound law. This provision, part of the 2011 Women's Right to Know Act, would require an abortionist to display and describe the ultrasound to each woman seeking an abortion. Although ultrasounds were previously required by the state and are already standard procedures before abortions, in January Judge Catherine Eagles issued a permanent injunction against the provision, stating that requiring doctors to describe the images violated their freedom of speech rights. 

Ultrasounds are high on the list of controversial sub-topics when it comes to abortion, but they are vital to an expectant woman's decision-making process. Too often, mothers are ignorant of their unborn babies' development, and having the opportunity to witness for themselves what their children look like at 8 weeks could influence their decision. What they see on the screen is not someone else's opinion, but a factual representation of pre-born life. Many post-abortive women say that if they had only known the truth about their baby, they would not have chosen abortion.

NCRTL president Barbara Holt expressed her approval of the Attorney General's decision. "We are pleased that Attorney General Roy Cooper has decided to defend NC's ultrasound law in spite of his opposition to the pro-life provision.  A mother has the right to an opportunity to see an ultrasound image of her unborn child and to hear her baby's heartbeat in advance of an abortion.  How else can she make a fully informed decision to have the abortion, which will take the life of her unborn child?  This is critically important information about her developing unborn child which many mothers who later regret their abortions say they wish they had been given at the time of their abortions."

2. Thanks

Our February 8th campaign to thank our pro-life legislators was a success! Almost 500 people saw our Facebook post, and many others saw our tweets.Thank you to everyone who shared our graphic on Facebook, tweeted #NC4Life and #ProLifeNC, and contacted your pro-life elected officials in support and appreciation. We know they were grateful to hear from us! 

Please continue to support your pro-life legislators in the coming year, and remember to vote pro-life! 

3. Choose Life Plates

On February 11, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that North Carolina's "Choose Life" license plate is unconstitutional because a pro-abortion plate was not also permitted. North Carolina Right to Life and other pro-life groups remain hopeful that a "Choose Life" plate will eventually be offered in North Carolina. 

Barbara Holt commented, "The 'Choose Life' plate simply affirms childbirth, in which the state has legitmate interest. Thanks to our current legislature, to help vulnerable mothers, the Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship is receiving $250,000 through a special budget apppropriation to make up for those funds being lost from the sale of the plates because of the litigation and this ruling."

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. 

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!

Forty Years of Pro-Life Work!

While 2013 marks the 40^th anniversary of the tragic Roe v. Wade decision, this year also marks 40 years of life-saving work in North Carolina. On Saturday, September 28, NCRTL celebrated the occasion with 160 friends and supporters at a banquet in Greensboro. 

Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest

The evening began with a reception with Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest, who greeted guests and posed for pictures with them. Forest is only the second Republican lieutenant governor to be elected in North Carolina since 1897, and he has been active in pro-life work for many years, including acting as former chairman of the board of Wake Forest Pregnancy Support Services.

Following the reception, guests were seated for dinner and the evening’s program began. After leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, Allen Morris, director of Concerned Methodists, presented Barbara Holt with the group's Trooper for Christ Award. Morris explained that while the award traditionally goes to members of the Methodist church, the organization felt that Holt deserved recognition for her years of devotion to pro-life ministry.

Guests waiting for the program to begin

Holt then gave some updates about NCRTL’s progress in recent years. As you know, North Carolina has passed some important pro-life legislation, including the Woman’s Right to Know/informed consent law, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, a ban on sex-selection abortion and webcam abortions, opting out of federally funded abortion in the health care exchange, and increased regulation of abortion facilities. Holt also talked about the success of NCRTL's first Camp Joshua and our increased presence on social media sites such as Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

NRLC President Carol Tobias

Guests were then treated to an address from special guest Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. Tobias commended NCRTL for not only the laws passed, but also for the number of pro-life members elected to Congress. Tobias encouraged North Carolinians to keep up the good work, noting that the pro-life movement is one characterized by love. Even though we may never meet the people we work so hard to save, she said, the fruit of our efforts is important nonetheless.

Lieutenant Governor Forest, the featured speaker, also spoke positively about the progress made in North Carolina. He recognized the legislators in attendance, saying that although he is the one often in the spotlight, the citizens owe their gratitude to the hard-working members of the General Assembly who face so much opposition for being pro-life.  Forest focused much of his speech on the need to return America to her roots. The misrepresentation of separation of church and state, he said, is responsible for the culture today because once you remove God from the public sphere, you lose respect for human life, too.

The evening’s program ended with a benediction, but many people stayed afterward to chat with one another. It was truly wonderful to see so many pro-life people enjoying each other’s company, and we at NCRTL are blessed to have all of your support!

Texas, North Carolina, and Pro-Life Legislation

It was a crazy week in Texas. On June 25, the Texas legislative session was winding down, but the Senate had yet to vote on a bill that would greatly increase regulations on abortionists and their facilities. Senator Wendy Davis became an overnight celebrity when her 10-hour filibuster, combined with the noise of the pro-abortion audience, pushed the final vote til after midnight. Because the legislative session ended at midnight, the vote was invalid.

The story doesn’t end there, though; Governor Rick Perry called a special session in order to give the bill another chance. Since Monday, July 1, thousands of Texans have swarmed Austin to voice their opinions of the bill. Supporters of HB2 wear blue; opponents wear orange. After hearing hours of testimonies, the House State Affairs Committee voted in favor of the bill, 8-3. Next week, HB2 will continue to the House, while its companion bill, SB1, will likely be discussed in committee on Monday.

In part due to the dramatic end to the legislative session, Texas has received national attention and attracted support, criticism, and debate from all over the country. However, North Carolina is fighting a similar battle, and it’s important for North Carolina citizens to be actively involved in what’s going on at home.

On Wednesday, July 3, in spite of hundreds of pro-abortion supporters who flooded the Legislature, the NC Senate passed H695.  This bill includes provisions seeking to prohibit sex selection abortions, to require physicians to be physically present during an abortion, and to opt out of abortion coverage in the federal exchange.  To pro-lifers, these measures seem obvious. Why wouldn’t people want to ban sex selective abortions, or to ensure that a doctor is in the room when a mother takes a deadly pill with risky side effects? To abortion rights supporters, though, such measures are merely obstacles between a woman and her “right” to choose, and they are desperate to protect that “right” to abortion for any reason, any time.

While H695 has passed in the Senate, it still has a long way to go before it becomes law. On Tuesday, July 9, there will be a vote to concur in the House Health and Human Services Committee, and the bill could possibly be on the House floor later that day for the full House vote.  If the committee and full House concur then it will be on its way to the governor’s desk. YOUR SUPPORT IS VITAL! These measures will save lives, but our legislators need to hear from their pro-life constituents immediately. You can be sure they are hearing from those who want abortion to be legal without any restriction.  Please visit our website, www.ncrtl.org, and look under “Action Alert” to see how you can help!

North Carolina Solidly Pro-Life in Election

North Carolina pro-lifers helped elect pro-life candidates at the federal and state levels. 

On the federal level, North Carolina went for the pro-life Romney/Ryan team and 10 of the 13 members of Congress. The Congressional District 7 race between incumbent Mike McIntyre (D) and David Rouzer (R) is still in dispute; but, both candidates are pro-life.  North Carolina Right to Life PAC had a 71% success rate in its support of candidates for President/Vice President and members of Congress.

On the state-wide level, there were many pro-life successes. Governor Pat McCrory became the first pro-life Governor since 1988 when a Republican last held the office. Steve Troxler was reelected as Agriculture Commissioner.  Paul Newby was reelected to the North Carolina Supreme Court.  Chris Dillon was elected to the North Carolina Court of Appeals.  Pro-life candidate for Lt. Governor Dan Forest has not been declared the winner pending the count of provisional and absentee ballots and the possibility of a recount.

The state legislature is now solidly in the hands of a pro-life majorities.  North Carolina Right to Life PAC supported 116 state candidates for both the House and Senate; 99 of these pro-life candidates were elected, for a success rate of 85%.

“We are extremely grateful that North Carolina went for the pro-life team Romney/Ryan over the pro-abortion Obama/Biden ticket and elected pro-life majorities for the U. S. House and the General Assembly.  We look forward to working with our newly elected pro-life Governor and the state legislature to pass laws that will provide protection for unborn children and their mothers. North Carolina has a responsibility to its citizens to protect innocent life and support mothers in carrying their children to term,” stated Barbara Holt, President of North Carolina Right to Life.

(Excerpt from NCRTL PAC press release.) 

Pro-Life Events in Raleigh on January 15

North Carolina Right to Life, Inc. will host the 12th Annual Prayer Breakfast for Life on January 15, 2011, at the Holiday Inn Brownstone Hotel and Conference Center, 1707 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC.

(Breakfast begins at 9:30 a.m. - Program 10:00 a.m.)

The cost for the breakfast is $25/person, $40/married couple, $20/students, clergy, and seniors. Payment can be made using MC/VISA/DISCOVER/Check. Call 1-800-392-6275 to register by phone using MC, VISA or Discover. Mail check or money order to NCRTL Events, PO Box 9282, Greensboro, N. C. 27429-0282.

WAYNE COCKFIELD

Wayne Cockfield, USMC Retired, Florence, South Carolina, serves on the board of the National Right to Life Committee and works with South Carolina Citizens for Life, a state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee.  He helped to successfully lobby the U.S. Congress for passage of the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997, which prevents federal tax dollars from being used to fund the killing of American citizens. He also lobbied successfully for a Medicare bill to ensure that Americans would not be prohibited from using their own money to obtain non-rationed health care and would not be denied medical treatment based on their quality of life.

A Vietnam War veteran, Cockfield stepped on a land mine in 1969 while on river patrol in Quang Nam Province. As a result, he lost both legs, much of the use of his right hand, and suffered numerous internal injuries.

"People with disabilities are often mistakenly considered by others to have a 'poor quality of life,'" Cockfield says. "Assisted suicide is spoken about by people with no serious disabilities. Disabled people do not want to die." Wayne will be the featured speaker at both events.



Reverend Jarrod Scott





Reverend Jarrod Scott, Senior Pastor of Green Pines Baptist Church in Knightdale, will give the Invocation and a reflection.

(Photo-Kim Lancaster)
Alyse Player

Alyse Player, www.alyseplayer.com, will be the featured vocalist at both events. Since age 5, Alyse has been singing at many events, competitions, church services and festivals. She has won several local talent competitions, and has received a Top Vocalist Award with a National Competition Company. She was so well received at our events in 2010 that we asked her to be at our events in 2011.

                                                                                                                                    
The 2011 Annual Rally and March for Life will immediately follow the Prayer Breakfast at 1:00 p.m. at Nash Square, the corner of Hargett and McDowell Streets in downtown Raleigh, NC. All pro-lifers from across the state are invited to stand up for life and to display proudly your church or school banner in support of life. Our newly elected members of the General Assembly will be in Raleigh that day and will be taking note of our gathering. Come to represent your community as a voice for the voiceless.





The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge

 


Reverend Brent Tysinger

 



Speakers: The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh, will give remarks and the Invocation. Reverend Brent C. Tysinger, Pastor of Mt. Pleasant Community Church in Asheboro, will give the Benediction.

Greetings from pro-life elected officials will be read. Information about North Carolina Right to Life's #1 legislative priority will be explained. A challenge will be issued to all pro-lifers to lobby their newly elected members of the NC General Assembly to pass an Abortion-Woman's Right to Know law which is estimated to save every year thousands of North Carolina's unborn children from abortion.

The NC Knights of Columbus Color Guard will present the colors at the Rally and lead the March.  The March for Life will end at Sacred Heart Cathedral with refreshments and an opportunity to get pro-life materials such as pamphlets, precious feet pins, bumper stickers, magnets, etc.  Alyse Player will have her CDs for sale.

For More Information, call: NCRTL at 1-800-392-6275.



Assisted Suicide Advocate and Practitioner to Bring His Deadly Business to North Carolina

The Rev. George Exoo, a self-described advocate for assisted suicide, has purchased property in Gastonia, NC where he hopes to assist individuals in killing themselves.  He claims to have helped already more than 100 people to commit suicide, as well as talk people through the process over the phone.  Because North Carolina does not have a law that specifically bans assisted suicide, he views our state and Gastonia, in particular, as an ideal place to assist persons who want to kill themselves.  As he explained to the Charlotte Observer reporter and News 14 Carolina, Gastonia is near the Charlotte International Airport and is close to states like Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, and New York which would allow people easy access to his so-called "right to die" hospice.

North Carolina Right to Life (NCRTL) advocated for a bill several years ago that would have banned assisted suicide in NC.  State Senator James Forrester, a physician, introduced the legislation.  Unfortunately, the chairman of the committee where the bill was referred, had the ear of the Hospice and Palliative Care of the Carolinas that forcefully lobbied against the bill so the bill never got a hearing.  The argument by the Hospice organization was two fold.  First, it was said they thought that the bill would have a chilling effect on doctors' use of morphine to treat pain.  Second, it was argued that NC did not have a problem with people helping others kill themselves, assisted suicide.


Morphine is a controlled substance; therefore, it is easy to get records showing the rise and fall in usage of the drug in every state.  Fortunately for us, there was a study done that showed a direct correlation between the rise in the use of morphine and the strengthening of the laws banning assisted suicide.  Hospice's first argument was easily refuted by the study.  Still, the opponents of the bill would not budge.

Next, NCRTL learned that a documentary called Live and Let Go, An American Death was filmed in NC by a son and daughter showing their father committing suicide with their assistance.  The purpose of the documentary was to make assisted suicide more acceptable.  The documentary won an Asheville Film Festival award and the producers were interviewed on public radio with this writer providing the "right to life" position that those who wish to kill themselves need to receive treatment for depression and help with pain management, not help in killing themselves.

Today, there are reports in the Charlotte Observer and News 14 of the Carolinas that George Exoo, known as "Reverend Death" from the documentary by that name, is planning to set up shop in NC in large part because our state legislature did not act swiftly to ban assisted suicide here.  He thinks it will take him a year to get his place ready for the killing to begin.

The state legislature must act in January 2011, when it reconvenes, to ban assisted suicide. If they do not act then, our state will later find itself fighting off a bill to legalize assisted suicide. Oregon and Washington states have already passed laws legalizing assisted suicide. The next logical step will be the state using our tax dollars to pay for assisted suicides rather than paying for expensive treatments to help cure a variety of illnesses.  This has already happened in Oregon.  If we are not diligent, our state could be next.

Source: http://charlotte.news14.com/content/local_news/charlotte/630337/assisted-suicide-activist-plans-gastonia--right-to-die--hospice