LifeLines is the newsletter of the Rochester Area Right to Life Committee, Inc., Education Fund.  Older, complete issues in print are available in the Rochester office. These articles have been selected from the issue in print.  An index for this issue and all previous issues for this year is available.

Volume 29        Issue 3         November, 2000

Information and news
you can use
to protect and defend
lives threatened by abortion and euthanasia

In the Political Arena, Perceptions Create Reality

Sadly, in October, 1999, unfortunate and misleading activities occurred in Rochester at the National Catholic Charities Convention hosted by the Rochester Diocese Catholic Charities. The activities appeared to be placing considerable focus on a person who was, at that time, a candidate for election to a judicial office.

Senator Richard Dollinger was then a candidate in a general election for Surrogate Court Judge. In addition to public introductions, his name was prominently displayed on a poster and cards placed on tables. Not surprisingly, people in attendance mistook this publicity as a sign of support for Mr. Dollinger’s election.

Appearances to the contrary, Mr. Dollinger’s election to the Surrogate Court was not being endorsed. We had hoped those involved in this incident, namely the Rochester Diocese’s Catholic Charities, would have publicly explained what had happened rather than allow misperceptions to linger. Since no clarification to the public has appeared, we offer the following:

• Candidates run on the ballot lines of the political party(ies) that have selected them as candidates. Political parties then promote and campaign for their candidates,
• Almost all churches are exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. They are "operated exclusively for religious, charitable …or educational purposes." Thus, by law, churches and their committees cannot make candidate endorsements. Accordingly, an endorsement of a specific candidate by Catholic Charities would jeopardize that exempt status,
• Political Action Committees (PACs) are established by individuals or organizations specifically to publicly endorse or oppose candidates. There are thousands of *PACs, working for or against candidates on numerous issues including tuition tax credits, abortion, euthanasia, vouchers, home schooling, etc. *Catholic Charities is not a PAC.

Nevertheless, the perception remains that the publicity Catholic Charities gave Mr. Dollinger was understood by many as a political endorsement. In fact, we later learned his name was publicized only because he had responded to the Rochester Diocese Catholic Charities’ request for help with a grant proposal.

People familiar with Mr. Dollinger’s handling of abortion and abortion-related issues, as both a Monroe County Legislator and currently a New York State Senator would have no reason to expect the Rochester Diocese to support Mr. Dollinger’s judicial office seeking. Mr. Dollinger has a consistent pro-abortion voting record and, in fact, has been endorsed often by "pro-abortion" political action committees.

Final notes of caution when you read or hear about anyone being "endorsed" or "supported"

• Pay attention to the source of the endorsement; is it credible?
• Identify the basis of the endorsement, e.g. voting records, public statements.
• If in doubt, call the candidate’s headquarters and ask specific questions about his/her position on issues of concern to you.

Included herein is a Candidate Endorsement Sheet prepared and paid for by the Rochester Area Right to Life Committee, Inc.’s PAC. Endorsements are based on candidates’ responses to questions, public statements and voting records. Political parties nominate candidates to be put on ballots; political action committees endorse or oppose candidates.

Election Day

Tuesday, November 7th
Be as sure as possible you know for whom you are voting and why.

Leo Holmsten Human Life Award Event

At the Crowne Plaza Hotel on September 19, 2000, the Leo Holmsten Human Life Award 2000 was presented to Rev. James E. Hewes. During the reception, background music was provided by The Research Trio: Alan Lowne, violin; Jonathan Phillips, viola, Susan Rowley, cello.

Master of Ceremonies, Robert Roeding, welcomed the 250 in attendance. He first introduced Mrs. Barbara Holmsten, Leo’s wife, son, Daniel and his wife, Tina. He then introduced a representative of the LHHL Committee sponsor, Rochester Area Right to Life Committee, Inc. Education Fund as well as representatives of the co-sponsoring organizations, i.e. Birthright of Rochester, Crisis Pregnancy Services of Rochester, Faith Haven, Inc. Feminists for Life of New York, Problem Pregnancy Help Center, Project Rachel, Pro-life Planning Committee, Roberts Wesleyan College, Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, St. Luke Medical Association and St. Thomas More Lawyers Guild.

(Pictures will be available shortly!)

Mr. Roeding then introduced Dr. William Morehouse for presentation of a gift to be delivered to Bill McNamara, Executive Director of Crisis Pregnancy Services of Rochester. Bill is currently fighting multiple sclerosis. To send a note to him, please call Crisis Pregnancy Services at 232-2350 or RARTL at 621-4690 for his address.

Bishop Matthew H. Clark then gave the Invocation. Following a delicious dinner, a Video Tribute to Father Hewes, planned by Dorothy Hayes, was shown. It covered a bit of Father Hewes’ personal history as well as much about his ministry, Project Rachel, available to women who have had abortions. A Monroe County Legislature Proclamation Plaque was presented to Father Hewes by Monroe County Legislators Hon. Fred Amato (D) and Hon. Tracy Logel (R). A Resolution of the New York State Senate recognizing Father Hewes’ accomplishments was read by Suzanne Schnittman.

The Leo Holmsten Human Life Award 2000 was presented to Father Hewes by last year’s recipients, Jeanne Sweeney, R.N. and Thomas Sweeney, M.D. They briefly traced the pro-life movement’s beginnings and growth in the Rochester area. They then recalled the thoughtful, caring efforts of a young seminarian in the "early years" and his growth to the "heroic minister" he is today.

Father Hewes accepted the award and thanked others with whom he has worked. He then focused on the women for whom Project Rachel is designed. He reminded that abortion involves two people with women rarely walking away from abortion unscathed mentally, emotionally, spiritually and/or physically. Helping the women achieve reconciliation is the basis of Project Rachel to which Father Hewes is so devoted.

Composer and soloist, Marji Stevens, performed her composition, Life is What We’re All About and In the Pavilion. Door prizes were awarded followed by Benediction led by Father Louis Siriani. In conclusion, all present rose and joined in the now traditional group singing of Amazing Grace.

Election thoughts

The next President will appoint probably 4 U.S. Supreme Court Justices. With the last decision being pro-abortion by only one vote, the lives of countless unborn children will be determined by the justices appointed in the immediate future.

RU-486 is about to be released for use in the USA. Congress will have opportunities to limit who can use it; the President will sign or veto Congressional measures.

RARTL PAC endorsements are given to only those incumbents who are consistent in casting pro-life votes. Several incumbent Congressmen had 92% pro-life voting records; one local Congressperson has a 100% pro-abortion voting record. Clearly, there are different reasons for no endorsements being given in some races. If unsure of the voting pattern of candidates in your district, that information is available at the RARTL office, Tuesday – Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM.

In Washington and Albany, who we elect now will make laws for at least the next 2 years.

Rochester Area Right to Life Committee, Inc. - Political Action Committee

endorses and encourages you to vote for:

George W. Bush for President & Richard Cheney for Vice-President

(No New York Candidate for U.S. Senate endorsed)

*incumbent or has held previous elective office                                                          NCE = No Candidate Endorsed

Rochester Area Right to Life Committee, Inc. Political Action Committee (PAC), was formed to endorse credible, electable, major party, pro-life candidates.

Candidate Endorsement Criteria: *Position in support of life rather than abortion, infanticide, euthanasia;  *A consistent pro-life voting record, if an incumbent or previous elective office-holder; *Pro-life responses to PAC Questionnaire &/or PAC interviews.

Tuesday, November 7, 2000

Authorized and paid by the Rochester Area Right to Life Committee, Inc. PAC; 675 Ling Road; Rochester, New York 14612 in affiliation with the New York State Right to Life Committee, Inc. PAC; not authorized by any candidate. Chairperson: Susan Heagney: 248-5321 Paid Political Ad

Approval of RU 486 tragic for the US

On 9/28/00, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of RU 486, a drug that induces abortions. This drug is given in a procedure that involves a second drug as well. The procedure, developed in France 20 years ago and approved for use there for more than 10 years, is currently available in many countries. More than 600,000 women have undergone the procedure, according to the FDA. In France, 30 percent of abortions are performed via RU 486.

Abortion by RU 486

The drug, Preven, known as "the morning-after pill", acts to prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg in a woman’s uterus. It has long been available and requires very rapid usage. RU 486 works by starving a baby two weeks past its fertilized stage and can be used within 49 days of the beginning of a woman’s last menstrual period. RU 486 is also known as mifepristone.

When a woman suspects she is pregnant, she will visit a doctor. The doctor will be required to determine that the woman is within seven weeks of her last menstrual cycle. Then the woman will be given three mifepristone pills. Two days later she will be expected to return to the doctor for a second drug, misoprostol. That drug will cause her uterus to contract, expelling the baby. Two weeks later, a third visit is required to ensure that the abortion was complete. The procedure with these drugs is said to be 92 – 95% effective in causing an abortion.

RU 486 availability

A 9/5/00 article in the Wall Street Journal was the first public indication of where mifepristone would be manufactured. It will be renamed Mifeprex. Its original manufacturer was the French company, Roussel Uclaf. Unwilling to risk the public reaction in the U.S., the company gave the U.S. rights for sale of mifepristone to the Population Council. That council identified Danco Laboratories to distribute the RU 486 pills which will be manufactured in China. In China, mifepristone has been used to enforce China’s "one child rule."

The second pill, misoprostol, is manufactured by G. D. Searle. It goes by the product name of Cytotec and has been effectively used to prevent ulcers. Susan Willis, assistant director for program development in the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities said G. D. Searle has always opposed the use of Cytotec for labor induction.

The FDA will restrict distribution to U.S. doctors "trained to identify women for whom mifepristone would cause potentially fatal complications. These doctors would be expected to intervene surgically should the drug fail."

Potential problems

FDA-approved labeling for mifepristone emphasizes that most women will experience side effects, e.g. cramping and bleeding, lasting from 9 to 16 days. The FDA estimates that for 1 of 100 women , "bleeding can be so heavy that a surgical procedure will be required to stop the bleeding." Congressman Chris Smith reported: "A woman in Iowa almost died from loss of blood but was saved when she was taken to a hospital emergency room."

Smith also said Roussel Uclaf had reported that 270 of 950 women studied had required narcotics for intense pain after taking mifepristone. Susan Willis cited a report in which Chinese doctors expressed dissatisfaction with RU 486 because its strong side effects had resulted in more counseling, more visits, more observations, serious complications and side effects including profuse bleeding, allergic reactions and shock.

Reactions to RU 486 approval

The Democrat Chronicle on 9/30/00 reported Al Gore welcomed the government’s approval of RU 486. He said: "I do not think that it ought to be kept away from women for some political reason." George W. Bush said the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the pill’s use was wrong. "As president, I will work to build a culture that respects life." Human Events, 10/6 reported Bush saying "I fear that making this abortion pill widespread will make abortions more and more common, rather than more and more rare."

National Right to Life Committee Spokesperson, Laura Echevarria said that "seven years after Clinton’s pledge , abortion is legal, not safe and, at 1.2 million abortions a year, certainly not rare."

Archbishop Edward Egan, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York’s 2.4 million Catholics denounced the FDA’s approval of the drug, calling it "nothing less than tragic." He continued,

"For the first time in history, an office of the federal government, the Food and Drug Administration, has sanctioned a chemical not designed to cure or strengthen, but rather to kill."

On October 1, the Archbishop gave a summary:

"…The being within the mother is now available to destruction from the earliest weeks of its life with RU 486 throughout its last moments in the womb through partial-birth abortion. Never has this nation had a stronger reason to fear for the loss of its basic decency and honor."

RU-486 approval a pro-life loss not a defeat

So, the FDA has approved RU 486. For more than 10 years pro-life people, vigorously, legally and successfully opposed its approval for use in the U.S. The number of unborn babies alive today because of that delay is uncountable, but undoubtedly large.

There is no doubting pro-life efforts are recognized as strong by the opposition. Roussel Uclaf, a major French drug company, so feared reaction to itself in the U.S. that it chose not to manufacture it for distribution here. It took years before a U.S. company agreed to accept the patent for fear of negative public reactions.

Danco Laboratories, now the U.S. patent holder of RU 486, will not manufacture RU 486. It has enlisted a factory operated by the government of the People’s Republic of China to manufacture the drug in China. Washington Post; 10/12/00. The Post article identified the Chinese manufacturer as the Hua Lian Pharmaceutical Plant in Shanghai. The same article also said that the RU 486 produced in that factory and two others is now used for about one-half of the estimated 10 million abortions annually in China.

"The fact that the abortion pill will be imported from the People’s Republic of China is both a public health issue and a human rights issue," said Douglas Johnson, Legislative Director of the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC). "It is a public health issue because China is a major source of impure drugs – and the FDA cannot possibly monitor a Chinese factory effectively. It is a human rights issue because Hua Lian Pharmaceutical is a major component of the Chinese government’s population control program which relies heavily on compulsory abortion." This information needs publicity.

In France where RU 486 has been accessible to women since 1989, abortions have decreased. So too, in Great Britain and Sweden where it was introduced in 1991 and 1992 respectively. Although the drug is used, total abortion rates have declined. Los Angeles Times; 9/29/00

It cannot be quickly concluded that American women will respond in similar ways to RU 486 availability. "You can’t just paste the experience of Europe into the United States," said James Trussell, a Princeton University economist who focuses on reproductive issues. He noted that French women have abortion as a government-sanctioned service offered by the national health system, widely available throughout the country. By contrast, in the U.S., 86% of counties have no abortionist as the number of doctors doing abortions has decreased , i.e. 2,900 in 1982 to 2,000 in 1996.

If doctors widely adopt the pill, that could reverse the result of the falloff in abortionists and lead to an increase in abortions. Doctors’ initial reactions, including active abortionists, have not been positive about their likely usage of RU 486. Some of the reasons given have been:

• Expectation of loss of "reputation" because of public outcries about RU 486.
• Fear of complications leading to malpractice suits when women do not return for the 2^nd visit for the pill to cause the "miscarriage" and the 3^rd visit two weeks later to make sure the child is dead and has been "expelled."
• Concerns about the short and long-term side effects of the RU 486 on the woman.

RU 486’s approval for use in the U.S. is one more challenge. It will not make pro-life people or the issue go away. There are many reasons for that, but the 10/15 Our Sunday Visitor editorial summarized it well:

 What pro-life people can do now

• Educate themselves and others on the drug’s risks;
• Educate and remind doctors, especially obstetricians/ gynecologists, physician assistants and nurses that RU 486 is morally reprehensible;
• Help them resist the constant , coercive efforts to force abortion on them;
• Continue to support and expand services to women facing difficulties in pregnancy;
• Increase efforts to help the women who have had abortions and now need forgiveness and healing.

Legislative action

On 10/4/00, in Washington, pro-life Rep. Tom Coburn (R-OK), a physician, introduced a bill requiring that only doctors trained to perform surgical abortions or stop excessive bleeding could prescribe the drug. Pro-life Sen. Tim Hutchinson (R-Ark.) said that it would be "very, very tough" to win Senate approval before Congress adjourns this month but that he hoped Congress will eventually consider the bill and other pro-life ways to answer RU 486's approval.

Most of the pro-life leaders concede there is little likelihood of enacting full-scale bans on the dangerous abortion drug, which will be sold as Mifeprex, because states lack the authority to override Food and Drug Administration rulings. However, state pro-life leaders say that when legislatures return to session after the election, they will seek to have bills introduced or existing abortion control laws amended to at least restrict distribution of the drug. Washington Post 10/5

Former abortionist Bernard Nathanson on RU 486 dangers

In a recent interview, Nathanson commented that the approval of RU 486, or mifepristone, had less to do with public health and more to do with the politics of the Food and Drug Administration. According to Nathanson, one potentially harmful side effect of RU 486 is the possibility that disorders could be passed down to surviving offspring of women who have taken the drug.

"RU 486 is the drug which acts on the female reproductive system, and with anything that does that we have to be keenly aware of what are called transgenerational effects." He recalled a drug given to women in the 1940s and 1950s to prevent miscarriages and stop excessive bleeding. The drug proved to be ineffective, and had an unintended side effect. Many female children of the women who took the drug suffered from a transgenerational effect and developed vaginal cancer, which led to numerous mutilating operations and death.

Another concern of Dr. Nathanson about RU 486 is that a woman who starts taking the pill may decide to carry the baby to term. The result, he said, can be serious skull deformities for the newborn.

Although RU 486’s harmful side effects may apply only to the children of women who have taken the drug, its companion drug, cytotec, may have health-altering consequences for the women, too, Nathanson warned. "RU 486 in itself is not potentially dangerous to women, but cytotec is, and you have to give them together," and he added that the drug has a potential to cause asthma, or exacerbations of asthma, and "things of that sort."

Nathanson said the drug also can cause excessive bleeding, because at the early stages of a pregnancy, the drug cytotec, which expels the dead baby from the womb, often isn’t completely successful on its own. The pregnancy tends to detach itself partially but not enough to be expelled, causing the bleeding. "Many of these women bleed for hours at home, having terrible cramps, and end up in emergency rooms.

Other problems

Already overcrowded emergency rooms would be even more overcrowded with young women experiencing excessive bleeding. But even if a woman completes the abortion at home, she must still show the remains of her unborn child to the abortionist. "Many states have laws which require that the physician examine the fetal remains whatever is passed," Nathanson said. "Now the question is how is a young girl of 17 going to go plowing through a toilet bowl full of blood clots and other nasty things to try to find this tiny little fetus and bring it to the doctor?"

Perhaps an even more complex problem could be that the drug will find its place in the dark world of organized crime. "There’s no doubt a black market will spring up with these pills in respect to smuggling into Central and South America, or places where they don’t approve of abortion," Nathanson said.

Here, a woman wanting to have an abortion using the pill would now have to pay a hefty fee $600 for the three pills of RU 486 and two pills of cytotec. He called this price-gouging but believes the price will eventually come down and be easily affordable. Now, he explained, a woman could walk into an abortion facility and pay $150. However, even if an abortion practitioner sells a set of the pills at the exorbitant rate, he said, pharmacists would probably not sell the pill. Abortion facilities will sell them directly. He believes this poses a conflict of interest.

When the pills’ prices come down, he predicted, the pills would in all probability show up in the clinics of the nations public schools. "They’ll pass this out [in school] too, and many kids, probably, will be using this for contraception and adults too," said Nathanson. "They’ll be taking it every month at the end of the month just to be sure."

Although Nathanson made it clear during the interview he was speaking more as an ob-gyn and less as a pro-life advocate and bio-ethicist, he concluded his discussion of the pill by saying,

"It really trivializes life, so there are ethical and moral issues." NewsMax; October 9, 2000

House confirms newborns’ right to life

On 9/26, by a 380 to 15 vote, the House passed a bill that would extend legal protection to infants born alive, even if their birth was the result of induced labor for the purpose of abortion.

Area Congressional Representatives votes were:

For the bill	Did not vote on the bill
Thomas Reynolds James Walsh John LaFalce	Amo Houghton Jack Quinn Louise Slaughter

Congressman Rick Lazio also did not cast a vote on the bill.

Congressmen Reynolds, Walsh, LaFalce and Quinn have pro-life voting records of 92 – 100%. Readers living in Congressman Quinn’s district might ask why he missed this vote. Congressmen Houghton and Lazio, as well as Congresswoman Slaughter have rarely voted pro-life so their absence from this vote, so near election time, may have been necessary or a deliberate avoidance.

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Tom Beck taking new position

For 7 years, we’ve all frequently "called on" Tom, our part-time RARTL Executive Director. He has been ever ready with information, ideas and skills. He will be missed as he takes a different type of position.

Our prayers and best wishes go with him.

Help wanted

Executive Director, part-time, for Rochester Area Right to Life. Committed pro-life attitude toward the unborn, the newborn, and the ill/aged a must. Volunteer recruitment, inspiration, and coordination. Data entry and bulk mailings. Answer telephone queries, maintain library materials and help people to use them. Employ your good oral and written communication skills. Represent organization in the community. Job requires strong organizational skills, ability to work independently, good interpersonal communication skills, and attention to detail. Call (716) 621-4690 and leave a message for Anne.

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"Nothing we learn in this world is ever wasted."-Eleanor Roosevelt

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SEE RARTL PAC’S ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS!

Candidates want to represent you in   Albany, Congress,  and  the White House.

Pick who you want making state and federal laws for you by voting Tuesday, November 7th; polls open 6 AM to 9 PM

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Survey Questions  -   You're Right!

Last winter many responded to a survey we ran twice in this newsletter. It was intended to help us identify areas where we could improve . A big hand to all who picked up a pen!

Most of you said that you like the newsletter, that it was understandable and covered the areas you wanted. Some of you added encouraging comments and we thank you.

Some of you disagreed and some were kind enough to disagree in detail with comments and questions. The detailed disagreements gave us a focus on where we might think of making changes.

Your comments and questions were very helpful. We’re going to respond to what seemed to be the typical comments and questions now and in forthcoming newsletters.

Comment: Life-Lines is good but sometimes I think it is just preaching to the converted. I would rather see the money go to assisting women in difficult pregnancies.

Response: You’re right. We are preaching to the converted, but with an additional purpose. This newsletter is intended to be a toolbox for the "converted" to use in dealing with the "unconverted." We all find ourselves occasionally talking with people who have been badly misinformed. We see biased articles in the paper. We have some legislators who think we want abortion-on-demand. Life-Lines is intended to give us the tools we need to correct misinformation. For example, we can re-educate someone who thought partial-birth abortion was only to save the life of the mother. We can ask our representatives to vote for specific pro-life measures. In the long run, we can get the legislation in place to help the woman in a difficult pregnancy.

In the meantime, while we wait for the real solutions, helping women in difficult pregnancies is a laudable thing to do. Local Rochester organizations, e.g. Birthright, Crisis Pregnancy Services, Faith Haven, Problem Pregnancy Help Center would be interested in your help, whether your dollars, expertise or your time. (Some of these organizations have branches outside Rochester, too.) Never underestimate the value of your time!

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Suggested Prayers

Please become a prayer partner by spending 5-10 minutes daily in prayer about life issues. We hope this partnership will fill 24 hours of each day to have a prayer shield over the area. Please join in the following suggested weekly prayer themes that:

November 5: Voters take the time to study issues and candidates so they may vote on values and principles;
November 12: Those who lost their lives in wars be remembered for defending their brothers/sisters’ lives;
November 19: We give thanks for new lives and gratitude for long lives in our human family;
November 26: Those who kill the innocent unborn are touched by the prayers being said for them;
December 3: Pregnant women receive love and compassionate help as they await birth of their children;
December 10: Our actions in daily life reflect our pro-life beliefs;
December 17: We appreciate God’s gift of life and have an increased willingness not to return it unopened;
December 24: We may welcome all children with open hearts as we welcome the Son of God.

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InMemoriam Margaret Tucker Jean Black CPA Niles Patterson Sheila M. Dunnington

In Prayer Mary Studier In Celebration Len & Louise Smith’s 53rd Wedding Anniversary

Want to do a RARTL MEMORIAL/HONOR TRIBUTE? You are most welcome to remember a deceased loved one by making a memorial contribution to the Rochester Area Right to Life Committee Education Fund. Your tax-deductible contribution can also commemorate birthdays, new arrivals, or other special occasions.

A card in your name will be sent to the family/person you designate. The contribution amount is confidential.

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Life-Lines
Official Publication: Rochester Area Right to Life Committee, Inc. Education Fund
A non-profit organization
675 Ling Road, Suite 3 - Rochester, New York 14612 - (716) 621-4690
Fax: (716) 621-6966 e-mail: alleblanc@compuserve.com www.righttoliferoch.org
Please feel free to copy/distribute and include mention of LIFE-LINES and its sources in copied materials.

Please feel free to copy and include mention of LIFE-LINES and its sources for the information being copied.

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