Confidence High Among Arizona Pro-Lifers

NEWS & ANALYSIS

Confidence High Among Arizona Pro-Lifers

By Dennis Durband, Editor
September 15, 2005

Arizona’s culture of life warriors gathered last weekend for the annual Arizona Right to Life state conference in Scottsdale in a spirit of optimism. The country is trending more and more pro-life, it appears that the U.S. Supreme Court is turning around, Democrats are softening on the life issue and those who champion a culture of life are as confident as they have ever been.

This optimism does not obscure the reality of the present, however, as John Jakubczyk, president of Arizona Right to Life, pointed out.

“What is happening in this country is a tragedy of immense proportions,” Jakubczyk said. “There have been over 40 million abortions, and we consider the labor shortage. We see that we will lose our competitive edge which doesn’t even touch upon the morality, which is why we are here. We believe every human being has a right to life. That doesn’t touch on religion or politics. The moral perspective is very practical. If the unborn are unprotected, our lives don’t matter.”

“There is hope,” added Dr. Carolyn Gerstner, chair of the board for Arizona Right to Life. “Stand with us and work to change the course of history. The culture of death’s chance of success is like snow in Arizona in August.”

Keynote speaker Dr. Alveida King is also upbeat.

“We are working to make abortion unthinkable,” said Dr. King, the niece of the late Dr. Martin Luther King and a spokesperson for the Silent No Longer Awareness Campaign. “My uncle Martin once said the Negro cannot win if he is willing to sacrifice the lives of his children. We need to engage the leaders.”

Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats for Life, confirmed that pro-lifers are stirring within the Democratic Party. Howard Dean, chairman of the party, and Congressman Nancy Pelosi used to diss Democrats for Life, but after November’s elections, they actually met with the pro-life group.

The biomedicine front is an area for concern. Dr. Jacque Chadwick of the University of Arizona Hospital is concerned about the ethics in that field.

Franks: ‘There is Victory Coming’

Congressman Trent Franks never misses an opportunity to attend the Arizona Right to Life state conference. He also attended a prayer vigil for Terri Schiavo in downtown Phoenix last spring. Following is the text of his remarks:

Many of you have dedicated your whole existence on life. Your efforts are worthwhile. God sees what you’re doing. I see some empty chairs; some are no longer with us. They fought the good fight and stood for truth. There is victory coming on this issue, I believe. In his dissent to Roe v. Wade, Chief Justice Rehnquist said they had to discover a right that the framers were completely unfamiliar with. I am so encouraged that we have a president who holds the cause of life so high. I believe John Roberts will be confirmed. The true purpose of government is to protect life. This scourge has been such a dark blot on America. Abortion has claimed 10,000 times the number of Hurricane Katrina’s deaths. In the next months, you’re going to see an awakening. Thomas Jefferson said the cause and protection of innocent life is the only thing that counts. Keep working.

Conference Notes

Dr. Wallace W. McWhirter formed Arizona Right to Life in 1971. Until his death eight years later, he worked with a fervent zeal so that all might be given an opportunity to live. This year’s McWhirter Award winner is Dr. Maricela Moffitt, of Tucson, for her courageous service and sacrifice for the pro-life movement. Jakubczyk said that Dr. Moffitt fought against the teaching of abortion in Arizona’s medical school. … Terry Gilberg, talented talk show host for KFYI Radio in Phoenix and pro-life advocate, served as master of ceremonies at this year’s conference. “The pendulum is swinging on the right,” she said. … Shane Wikfors, executive director of ARTL, praised State Rep. Trish Groe (R-D3) at the conference luncheon for reversing her position on the culture of life: “Representative Groe has come a long way. She was endorsed by Planned Parenthood in the last election (2004).” Groe received a tremendous ovation. It’s all about changing one heart at a time. … Dr. Clint Leonard spoke on matters of conscience in health care. He urges people to continue working on behalf of life and rights of conscience. Dr. Leonard also urges people to let others know where you stand and what you will and will not do.