Archive of June 2007

Jun
1
2007

HB 818: Gov. Blunt Signs Important Bill for Life and Health

Contrast: A Culture of Death & The Blessings of Life June 1, 2007 On this same day that Michigan prison doors open for Jack Kevorkian to walk free, after bragging over the killing of 130 people through assisted suicide, our Missouri Governor will be signing a bill to help protect the most commonly targeted unborn abortion victims! While Kevorkian, now 79, is known as “Dr. Death”, how do we reconcile the complacency of members of the medical community, and how do we refer to ourselves who have failed to discourage the 90% death rate of Downs Syndrome babies and other unborn children diagnosed with similar disorders? That’s right. According to the research reported by the New York Times, 9 out of 10 women handed positive prenatal tests for Downs Syndrome and other genetic disorders turn to abortions of convenience rather than to the many support services, networks and ministries available. State Senator John Loudon and his wife Gina have proven their passion for these unexpected blessings, despite the fact that they come packaged ‘different’ from what most parents ‘expect’. Just this last year the Loudons received the phone call – the one they had come to fear they would never hear. And even though they were then expecting the delivery of their own fourth child, off they went – to claim the prize so long in wait. So many Downs Syndrome babies are aborted that loving homes like the Loudon’s find it very difficult to adopt these special blessings. John and Gina see their youngest son that way, not a “special needs” child, but a “special blessings” child. They also extend a hearty thank you to the birth parents who choose adoption over abortion. This background explains why Senator Loudon had the foresight and interest to make sure insurance and health care reform legislation contained a provision to encourage parents of unborn babies to consider all their options, support services and alternatives to abortion as soon as they are told of a positive test result from prenatal genetic testing. The House sponsor of the bill, Doug Ervin (R-Kearney), was very supportive of the provision and pro-life lawmakers in both the House and Senate followed the leadership of both bodies in supporting passage of HB 818. Key leaders in Missouri ’s capitol now deserve your “Thank You” notes. It is true that many may not have been completely aware of this particular provision (some pro-life members voted against other issues in the bill but not this section) but none have complained even after the fact. Please send your thanks to your Representative in the House and your State Senator. Send a copy of your “Thank You” to Rod Jetton, Speaker of the House, and Michael Gibbons, President Pro Tem of the Senate and ask them to share your message with their leadership teams. Then send a special “Thank You” to Governor Matt Blunt. He has been under heavy pressure to veto HB 818 from the medical community because of another portion of the bill dealing with midwives. His signature could very well cost him financially and politically. With the Governor’s signature many of these babies will be given a chance at life! Because pro-life citizens elect pro-life legislators, many birth and adoptive parents will receive untold blessings into their lives! Thanks to one passionately pro-life Senator leading the way, Missouri is now a more pro-life state today than it was yesterday! Read More »