Pro-lifers rally in Phoenix -- Hundreds of persons supporting the sanctity of human life attended the annual rally in Phoenix Sunday to hear Sen. Jon Kyl, Cong. Trent Franks and other speakers. Photo/Dennis Durband

Cong. Franks Foresees End to Abortion in America

By Dennis Durband, Editor
Jan. 21, 2007

PHOENIX -- Cong. Trent Franks (R-CD2) fully expects a day when the United States will truly respect human life, he told a gathering of Arizonans Sunday during the “Mission Possible: Agents of Change” pro-life rally. The 2007 pro-life commemoration and rally took place in conjunction with the 34^th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court which set a new low in jurisprudence and resulted in a holocaust taking 47.3 million lives.

“No matter how long it takes, the warm sunshine of life is going to break through the clouds in this country,” Franks said. “As we stand here in the community of life, it is important that we remember the 47 million lost lives – a tragedy almost beyond comprehension that astounds me. If we just remind ourselves of our foundations, there is a lot of hope for all, big and small, young and old, rich and poor.”

Franks, who has a 100-percent pro-life voting record in Congress, said it is worthwhile for people who value human life to keep rallying. It is also important to inform the world that for every abortion, a child dies and the mother is never the same, he said.

“I don’t think we understand the gravity of abortion,” Franks said. “It is the greatest holocaust in this nation. If we do not turn back Roe v. Wade, this Republic will die.”

Franks compared Roe v. Wade to the heinous Dred V. Scott decision of 1857 which declared that Blacks were not fully human. He praised President George W. Bush for defending human life and appointing judges who value human life. The three-term congressmen said that whether one is a janitor or a senator, “we are going to protect your life.”

Representing mainly northwest Arizona, Cong. Franks spoke is Islamic fundamentalist terrorism and said it is based on a lack of respect for human life and the foundation for a lot of evil in the world.

“The undeniable common denominator of terrorism is a lack of respect for life,” Franks said.

Also, the congressmen mentioned the late Terri Schiavo, who was needlessly denied food and water in a horrible court-sanctioned death in 2005. Franks came back from Washington, D.C., in mid-week to attend a small prayer vigil in Phoenix on Schiavo’s behalf just prior to her death. He quoted Hubert Humphrey’s remarks about respecting people “in the shadows” and “in the dusk of life” in referring to Schiavo.

In closing, Franks said that when it (abortion) is done, “future generations are going to remember that people like you refused to let go until this was past.” He said that God has given us the charge to do all we can do.”

Sen. Kyl Defends Life

Fresh off re-election, U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl once again joined in the annual rally for life. He spoke of successful alternatives to embryonic stem cell work which kills human lives. Kyl pointed out a recent breakthrough with amniotic fluid stem cells.

“Science is marching forward and is on our side,” Kyl said. “New technologies are not relying on the embryo. I’m confident that [assure amniotic fluid] will assure the prevention of embryonic stem cells.”

Kyl said that in light of liberal clamoring for federal funding of destructive embryonic stem cell research, the U.S. government has spent $90 million on existing cell lines and foreign and private organizations have spent $4 billion on it. Thus, there is no need for the federal government to fund it.

Most importantly, embryonic stem cell research is fraught with problems. The cells cause tumors and have not led to a single scientific breakthrough. Adult stem cells are used in the treatment of 71 diseases, without destroying human life.

Bishop Chastises Planned Parenthood

Thomas Olmstead, bishop of the Phoenix Catholic Diocese took Planned Parenthood to task for using the crass Christmas theme of “choice of Earth.”

“It is incredible that they think they think people would be attracted to,” Bishop Olmstead said. “Wouldn’t you think people would be more attracted to peace? What we face is a confusion of freedom.”

A pastor representing Scottsdale Bible Church remarked in an opening prayer that God’s Word tells people to “choose life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)

The Voice of Experience

It is always hard to argue with the voice of experience. Ronnajean Murphy is a post-abortive woman counselor for other post-abortive woman at Rachel's Vineyard. No one can deny her negative abortion experiences.

An abortion clinic counselor told Murphy, twice pregnant as a teen, that she couldn't have her baby or she would probably never work for more than minimum wage, that she would be "undatable," she probably wouldn't finish high school.

"They never used the word 'child,'" Murphy said. "They used the word 'fetus.' I was going to have those awful stretch marks and be marked for life. Or I could go to another clinic tomorrow and they would take care of this little problem and nobody would be the worse for it."

A year later, Murphy was pregnant again. This time the doctor refused to allow her to see her baby's ultrasound image.

Murphy suffered post-abortion traumatic syndrome and suffered flashbacks to the horrible times of her abortions. Now she helps men and women who have suffered in the same ways, through her work at Rachel's Vineyard. She concluded her remarks by asking members of the audience how they will be agents of change in the way they talk to people about abortion.

Dignitaries Present

Among the elected officials attending this year’s rally were State Sen. Jack Harper and Arizona Corporation Commissioner Jeff Hatch-Miller. Arizona’s National Republican Committeeman Randy Pullen also attended. Pullen is running for Arizona Republican Party Chairman next Saturday in the annual GOP state convention in Phoenix. Pullen has a record of defending human life.

Pullen’s opponent for AZ GOP chairman, Lisa James, was not present and does not have a history of attending this annual pro-life rally. Supporters of James donated $1,887 to the pro-abortion WISH List in the 2005-2006 reporting period, according to the Arizona Secretary of State website. Pullen’s wife once donated to the WISH List, but then repudiated the liberal organization.

Monday's Pro-Life Rally at State Senate

Several pro-life organizations will hold a pro-life rally Monday on the lawn of the Arizona State Senate, in Phoenix, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The rally is open to the public without charge, but the Center for Arizona Policy is selling lunches for $10 per person.