Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation Online News          February 1, 2012   

Pennsylvania House Bill 1077, entitled The Women's Right to Know Act, is advancing in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The bill empowers women by offering truly informed consent before an abortion by providing the opportunity for a woman to view the ultrasound image of her child and observe the heartbeat.

"For too long, women have been pressured into making a decision on abortion without having all the facts," said Maria Vitale Gallagher, legislative director of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation. "In order to make an informed decision, women must be given relevant information about the development of the child in the womb, and this legislation helps to provide that."

Demonstrating its widespread appeal, the bill currently has 112 co-sponsors in the 203-member Pennsylvania House, already above the number needed for final passage. The co-sponsors go beyond party lines with Republicans and Democrats coming together in support of this common sense legislation to protect women.

 Bills can come up for votes quickly in Congress and the state legislature, so it's important that you know ahead of time who your representatives are, so you know which lawmaker to call when a pro-life issue comes up.

And, once you know who your representatives are, you need to program their phone numbers into your cell phone, post them on the refrigerator, or put them on your speed dial at home.  That way, you can be an "instant activist," able to lobby at a moment's notice.

To find out who your Congressional representative is and his or her phone number, visit http://www.capwiz.com/nrlc/dbq/officials/ .  To find out who your state representative is in the General Assembly, go to http://www.house.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/#address . To find out who your state senator is, go to http://www.pasen.gov/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/#address .

Or, if you prefer, you can call our office at 717-541-0034.

Remember, lives can be saved by the calls you make to your government officials!

By: Andrew Bair, Education Director

bair@paprolife.org

On behalf of the staff of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, I thank you so much for all of your hard work to make the 2012 March for Life such a resounding success. Pennsylvania had a tangible presence at the March this year with thousands in attendance. Participating in this event is never easy. It requires immense sacrifice to give up an entire day and brave inclement winter weather to witness to life. It is because of your steadfast commitment to the cause that we are confident Roe vs. Wade will be overturned. 

Please share with us any photos you took at the March for Life or at any events held in your local communities to mark the tragic anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. Email your photos to lifelines@paprolife.org.

(Pictured above: Southeast Regional Coordinator Heather Wilson with members of Lancaster Right to Life distributing pro-life signs at the March)

The deadlines for the 2012 Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation Essay and Oratory Contests are quickly approaching! Students are encouraged to take this opportunity to speak out for those whose lives are threatened by abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research.

The essay contest is open to students in grades 7-12 with a word limit of 500 for grades 7-9 and a word limit of 750 for grades 10-12. Essays must include a cover page with the student's name, address, phone number, grade and school. Winners receive cash prizes. Essays can be mailed to 4800 Jonestown Road Suite 102, Harrisburg PA 17109 or emailed to lifelines@paprolife.org. Submissions are due by March 1st 2012.

The oratory contest is open to high school juniors and seniors. Students must write and deliver a 5-7 minute pro-life talk. Interested students should contact Education Director Andrew Bair as soon as possible to get connected to a regional contest in their area. Students in South Central Pennsylvania should contact Andrew Bair by March 1st 2012.

The premier pro-life training program for college students is back again this summer at National Right to Life! The five-week academy transforms pro-life college students into effective pro-life leaders. Graduates of the NRL Academy have gone on to form pro-life groups on their college campuses, staff pregnancy resources centers and even work for state pro-life organizations. Education Director Andrew Bair, Southeast Regional Coordinator Heather Wilson and Lancaster Right to Life President Abigail Kiehl are all graduates of the NRL Academy and are having a huge impact here in Pennsylvania. 

If you know a qualified college student, please contact lifelines@paprolife.org. The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation is offering a partial scholarship for a PA student to attend the Academy this year. For more information about the Academy, visit http://www.nrlc.org/Academy/index.html.