ll9912articles

A majority will join in thanking our Creator for life and the magnificent gifts given to us as we live on earth, also His creation. We have all received the gift of life from Him and the opportunity to live for a period of time. Far more important than the Y2K hype is our respect for our own lifetime and the life times of our brothers and sisters in our human family. With these days, no matter what dates, our personal decisions of how to use each are the challenges and joy of being alive now and in the new millennium.

On 9/24/99, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit struck down bans on partial-birth abortion enacted by Nebraska, Arkansas and Iowa. On 10/26/99, Wisconsin and Illinois also passed bills prohibiting partial-birth abortions. In a landmark ruling, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality of these laws by 5 to 4.

On 11/30/99, U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens blocked the Wisconsin and Illinois laws banning partial-birth abortion from taking effect. He acted to block the order allowing the two states to begin enforcing their bans on partial-birth abortions.

NRLC Legislative Director Douglas Johnson said: "Justice Stevens has unilaterally blocked enforcement of bans on partial-birth abortions that were democratically enacted by the legislatures of two states and upheld as constitutional by a full federal court of appeals. We hope Wisconsin and Illinois will request immediate review of Steven’s action by the other eight justices."

With these conflicts in judicial rulings, it is likely the U.S. Supreme Court will rule, perhaps in 2000, on whether Roe v Wade made partial-birth abortions legal. Nebraska has already requested Supreme Court review of the ruling that struck down its ban on partial-birth abortions.

On 10/21/99, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to place a national ban on partial-birth abortions by a vote of 63-34. Senator Moynihan voted in favor of banning partial-birth abortions; Senator Schumer voted against the ban. The House will take up this bill early next year. It is expected to pass as it has done in previous years.

President Clinton has twice before vetoed the bill. He has threatened a third veto. This Senate vote is two votes shy of the 2/3rds margin required to override a veto.

The campaign-reform bill was set aside in the face of a filibuster. Majority Leader Trent Lott moved to proceed to consider the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. Lott’s motion was adopted, but McCain and a minority of senators voted to delay consideration of the pro-life bill.

This action by McCain deepened the distrust pro-life people have of him. On 8/19/99, McCain told the San Francisco Chronicle editorial board: "I’d love to see a point where it [Roe v Wade] is irrelevant, and could be repealed because abortion is no longer necessary. But certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe v Wade, which would then force X number of women in America to (undergo) illegal and dangerous operations."

Readers may have seen the Wendy’s television special highlighting adoption. Wendy’s founder, R. David Thomas, adopted as a young child, has stepped up his adoption promotion campaign. His television commercials for which he is famous, he said, have given him a "platform to speak about adoption." "Our major goal is to get every boy and every girl adopted," he said.

Thomas said that 110,000 children are available for adoption but too much "bureaucratic red tape" delays the process. He also reported as many as 600,000 children are in foster care. "These kids are losing their childhood," Thomas told a National Press Club audience.

Thomas said a 1997 federal law boosted adoptions by 30%. The law limited time a child could spend in foster care to 15 months and gave grants to states to increase adoptions. Beginning in 1990, Thomas led an effort to convince businesses to offer adoption benefits. These benefits, similar to maternity leave, allow parents time off with a newly adopted child.

Thomas said 34 Wendy’s employees have used the adoption benefits. He also reported a recent survey indicating 65% of the 1,000 largest United States’ companies now offer similar benefits Thomas believes: "It’s not enough." He sees the two largest challenges to increasing adoptions as 1. convincing more companies to offer adoption benefits; 2. getting bureaucracy to move more quickly in adoption cases. "The sense of urgency is not there," he said of social workers.

Thomas avoids discussing controversial issues involving adoptions. "If I get controversial, I lost the fact that I’m trying to get children into a loving home. He came near controversy when asked whether the U.S. Supreme Court should overturn Roe v Wade, given that so many people want to adopt newborn babies.

Approaching the microphone, he said, "Probably," but then said, "I don’t have an answer for that." Columbus Dispatch; 10/13/99

The 10/98 RARTL Life-Lines reported that Warren Beatty had told Matt Drudge "Since having children, I am pro-life." Beatty has denied making the statement and has said "I am pro-choice."

Fortune magazine annually studies and then rates hundreds of trade associations, labor unions and political interest groups that lobby in Washington. The study is conducted by Fortune staff surveying lawmakers, lobbyists, congressional and White House aides. Each year the top 100 are then identified.

The National Right to Life Committee ranked 8^th i.e. higher than, e.g. the American Medical Association and Bar Association. The Christian Coalition, previously ranked 7^th, fell to 35^th. NRLC and Christian Coalition were the only pro-life organizations to make the Top 100 in the 1999 survey. For the third year, no pro-abortion organizations made the top 10. Only pro-abortion NARAL and Emily’s List were included in the top 100. Top 10 in 1999 with parenthesis showing rank in 1998:

Rochester Area Right to Life, Inc. is an affiliate of National Right to Life Committee.

Investor’s Business Daily, 11/26/99, headline begins an article about the "population bomb" that has not exploded. It is reportedly barely ticking. Author Donald Murphy noted that "overpopulation endures as one of the 20^th century’s most dangerous myths…The number of people living on Earth never has been greater, i.e. 6 billion, as of 10/12/99 In the last 100 years, population rocketed skyward as never before. All the while, the human race thrives at unprecedented levels of wealth."

"The Population Bomb," the late 1960s best seller by Paul Ehrlich predicted that humanity’s demands would drain the land and sea of their riches. Ehrlich and his followers urged action against growing populations. They did not account for human ingenuity and adaptation that continue to outstrip the birth rate.

The "population boom-and-doom myth" is still firmly held by smart and wealthy folks, e.g. Bill Gates, Ted Turner. Thus far, Gates has declined all invitations to meet and discuss the issue of population. Maybe in 2000.

Under draft guidelines proposed on 12/2/99 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), "for the first time, human embryos would be deliberately killed under the sponsorship of the (United States) federal government." NRLC Legislative Director, Douglas Johnson, said:

"This proposal would result in federal sponsorship of experiments in which living human embryos are dissected and killed – and a clear violation of federal law and of ethical standards governing non-consenting human subjects.

The draft guidelines, published in the 12/2/99 Federal Register, are open for public comment through 1/31/00. Also see www.nih.gov/news/stemcell/draftguidelines.htm for the NIH guidelines.

Many medical researchers utilize stem cells taken from adults or umbilical cords. For this there is no pro-life objection or legal barrier. No living human being is killed to obtain the stem cells.

But the NIH guidelines concern research using stem cells from human embryos. Since 1996, federal law (the "Dickey-Wicker Amendment," extended through FY 2000 by Public Law 106-113) has prohibited federal funding of any research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed, discarded or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death…"

Under the proposed guidelines, a researcher would seek and receive from NIH advance approval for an experiment in which the researcher specifically says that he will obtain and kill living human embryos. The NIH proposal, indeed, specifically requires parents to be told that the embryos "will not survive the human pluripotent stem cell derivation process."

After receiving NIH approval and funds. the researcher then will arrange with an infertility clinic to obtain living human embryos – following the federal guidelines. The federally funded researcher then will kill the embryos, harvest the stem cells and proceed with the rest of the federally sponsored experiment.

NIH is proceeding with this atrocity under cover of "legal opinion" issued in January, 1999, in the Rabb-Wilder Memo. That memo says federal funds can be used for experiments using embryonic stem cells because those cells are not themselves a "human embryo" protected by the Dickey-Wicker law.

The need for negative public opposition to planned killing of human embryos is obvious. Beginning this practice as the new millennium begins is the consummate slap at all humanity.

"The NIH welcomes public comment on the Draft National Institutes of Health Guidelines for Research Involving Human Pluripotent Stem Cells (December 1999), set forth below. Comments should be addressed to: Stem Cell Guidelines, NIH Office of Science Policy, 1 Center Drive, Building 1, Room 218, Bethesda, MD 20892. Comments may also be sent by facsimile transmission to Stem Cell Guidelines at (301) 402-0280, or by e-mail to: stemcell@mail.nih.gov. "

By a 271-156 vote, the House of Representatives voted to prevent the prescription of federally controlled drugs to kill patients. By passing H.R.2260, the "Pain Relief Promotion Act", the House also endorsed appropriate use of medications to control pain. Voting for the bill were Representatives McHugh (R), Walsh (R), Reynolds (R), LaFalce (D), Quinn (R) and Houghton (R); voting against it were Hinchey (D) and Slaughter (D)

The 1970 federal Controlled Substances Act and its regulations prohibited prescription/use of certain narcotics and other dangerous drugs unless a doctor with a special federal "registration" to prescribe them did so for a "legitimate medical purpose." In June, 1998, U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno announced that these federally controlled drugs could be used to assist patients’ suicides in any state, like Oregon, that allows the practice under state law.

Louisiana and seven other states had passed laws similar to H.R. 2260 to control pain with medications while preventing their prescription with the intent of assisting suicide. But in Oregon, where assisted suicide is legal, all of the deaths under that law were caused by federally controlled substances.

Passage of this bill is seen as the opportunity to do much to prevent legalized euthanasia in America before it becomes widespread. Now needed: contact both NY Senators Daniel Moynihan (D) & Charles Schumer (D) to request they vote for the Pain Relief Promotion Act when it comes up for a vote in January. Contact both at:

Although the holiday season has begun, staff members will be receiving, reading and recording all communications. This is too important to wait till 2000.

Editor’s note; Following includes material from article with above title in WORLD Magazine; Vol. 14; No. 41; 10/23/99 by L. Vincent; http:/www.worldmag.com/world/issue/10-23-99/cover_1,asp. Also from: National Catholic Register; 12/5-11/99 by Rich Rinaldi, and Our Sunday Visitor; 12/12/99 by Joseph Esposito. Warning: The originals and this summary contain some graphic detail.

The Vincent article begins with descriptions of an employee beginning a new work week by "using a scalpel through the brain stem of an aborted 24-week pre-born child, pluck the brain from the baby’s peach-sized head with forceps and plop it into wet ice for later shipment. Then she might "carefully slice away the delicate tissue that secures a dead child’s eyes in its skull, and extract them whole…clients prefer the eyes of dead babies to be whole. One once requested to receive 4 to 10 per day."

There are at least five U.S. organizations that collect, prepare and distribute fetal tissue, organs, and body parts, products of voluntary abortions, to medical researchers.

In 1977 a technician from one of these "centers" approached Life Dynamics, a pro-life group. They launched an undercover investigation to discover: a cross country flow of baby body parts, detailed dissection orders, a brochure claiming "freshest tissue available" and price list for whole babies and parts.

"It’s the inevitable logical progression of a society that, like Darwin, believes we came from nothing", notes Gene Rudd, an obstetrician and member of the Christian Medical and Dental Society’s Bioethical Commission.

President Clinton greased the slope in 1993 by sign-ing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Revitalization Act. That effectively lifted the ban on federally funded research involving transplantation of fetal tissue. NIH has continuously advertised its ability "to supply tissue from normal or abnormal embryos and fetuses of desired gestational ages between 40 days and term." Other profit-seeking companies quickly saw very lucrative opportunity

Vincent concluded: "The demands of researchers for fetal tissue will continue to drive suppliers to supply it….all parties will continue to wrap their grim enterprise in the guise of the greater good." Vincent included writing of Christopher Hook, Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity Fellow in Bannockburn, Il., who called the exploitation of pre-born children "too high a price regardless of the supposed benefit. We can never feel comfortable with identifying a group of our brothers and sisters who can be exploited for the good of the whole…Once we have crossed that line, we have betrayed our covenant with one another as a society, and certainly the covenant of medicine."

The three articles named at the beginning of this article present rationalizations given by some in this grim business and include much more detail. Readers interested in more information should go directly to the web site/publications. Also, Life Dynamics’ video, Fetal Parts is informative. That is available for viewing at or loan from the RARTL office.

The 1993 NIH Health Revitalization Act appears to outlaw charging fees for fetal organs. This and the National Organ Transplant Act prohibit fetal tissue or organs from being sold for what is known as "valuable consideration." However, the law does allow for "reasonable payments associated with the transportation, implementation, processing, preservation, quality control or storage of human fetal tissue." Consent must also be provided by the mother.

During Senate consideration of the Partial-birth Abortion Ban Act, Sen. Bob Smith (R-NH) offered an amendment to require detailed reporting on transactions involving body parts of babies killed by abortion. The amendment failed, 46-51. Both Senators Moynihan (D) and Schumer (D) voted against the amendment.

Three Republican congressmen – Tom Tancredo, Christopher Smith, Joseph Pitts – introduced a resolution to look into the allegations. The resolution calls on the House Commerce Committee to hold hearings. By a voice vote the resolution was passed on 11/9/99, and a committee spokesperson told OSV’s Esposito that hearings would be held early in the new year.

Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life summarized the need to expose the broader horrors of abortion:

"Though people find the marketings of fetal body parts extremely morally repugnant – and rightly so- it is really no more than a footnote to the horror of abortion. It is quite interesting that if you deliver a 20 week-old baby and cut her up for parts, some people will object. But they will not object if you slice up the baby inside the womb by means of dilation and extraction, a perfectly legal and common late-term abortion procedure."

In year 2000, Maine voters will get to decide whether to allow terminally ill patients to commit assisted suicide – unless the Maine Legislature passes such a law first.

Mainers for Death with Dignity submitted 45,566 valid signatures to send the issue to the Legislature. If the Legislature does not approve the pro-assisted suicide proposal, the voters will see it on Maine’s referendum ballot in 2000. The question would be: "Should a terminally ill adult who is of sound mind be allowed to ask for and receive a doctor’s help to die?" Maine lawmakers last year rejected an assisted suicide bill.

Assisted suicide has been twice approved by voters in Oregon. It has also been rejected by voters in Washington and California. It has not come before the New York state Legislature or voters – to date. Pro-Life Infonet; 12/04/99

Oregon now publicly funds drugs for assisted suicide, but cuts off funding for some pain management for people with terminal and chronic illness. The effect is chilling. The state is sending a message to the sick who cannot afford adequate pain control:

Genetic engineering of plants and animals received a prudent "yes." Human cloning and other biotechnologies that modify the genetic code met Catholic Church objec-tions. The Pontifical Academy for Life addressed the genetic questions in a now completed two-year study.

"We cannot agree with the position of some groups that say it is against the will of God to meddle with the genetic makeup of plants and animals. But we give a clear ‘no’ to human cloning, even if it is aimed at producing organs for therapeutic use."

The Bishop continued by saying the Vatican is also worried that human biotechnologies increasingly are being designed to suppress those with genetic defects and weed them out of the general population. Our Sunday Visitor 10/24/99.

The Save-a-Baby Campaign will come to a close on January 25^th in Albany. Don’t wait much longer to send your coupons to RARTL; 675 Ling Rd; Rochester, 14612.

There was a research study purporting to link legalizing abortion and a drop in the crime rate. RARTL joins National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) as it

"strongly rejects the notion that the appropriate way to solve any of society’s problems is to kill unborn children…One could just as easily argue that an increase in the respect for human life has led to a decrease in both the abortion rate and the crime rate.

The true effects of the over 40 million lives lost since 1973 may never be known. Our society not only has lost future artists, scientists, musicians and teachers, but also has accepted a mentality that targets for destruction the vulnerable…"

On 11/12/99, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) said Indian doctors will join government and non-governmental organizations in their fight against sex-selection abortions and sex-determination tests in the country. IMA’s Dr. Prem Aggarwal said members had been informed the doctors doing sex determination tests faced possible expulsion from the medical profession.

In 1994, Indian law ruled that informing parents of the sex of their unborn child was illegal. Aggarwal said that the practice is nonetheless widespread. Abortion is legal within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Aggarwal recognizes that the important work is with the medical profession to stop sex-determination tests which then, too often, lead the woman to seek an abortion.
Pro-Life Infonet; 11/14/99

Gianna Jessen survived an attempted abortion more than 20 years ago. Despite her numerous physical disabilities she is a nationally acclaimed pro-life speaker as well as a talented singer.

Presidential candidate Steve Forbes sent a letter to Republican Party Chairman Jim Nicholson, urging him to allow Gianna to address the national Republican convention in 2000. Forbes said: "She…regularly tells her story. It is a powerful story, one that the American public needs to hear about an ‘unwanted child who became a beautiful young American. Her story is one of hope and one of faith. It is inspiring and moving."

Gianna performed in Rochester at the 1992 NYSRTL Convention. Then 15, she has steadily grown as a singer/spokesperson for life. If you agree with Mr. Forbes drop a note saying that to: Mr. Jim Nicholson: Chairman; Republican National Committee; 310 First Street, S.E.; Washington, D.C. 20003.

Monroe County Legislature 11/2/99 election results included victories for all but one of the candidates endorsed by the RARTL’s Political Action Committee (PAC).

Congratulations to the following pro-life candidates elected to represent constituents in various parts of Monroe County. Monroe County Legislature:

1^st District: Peter McCann-R
Clarkson, Hamlin, Parma districts
3^rd District: Tracy Logel-R
Chili districts
4^th District: Mark Assini-R
Gates districts
6^th District: Fred Amato-D
Rochester & Greece districts
7^th District: Doug Dobson-R
Greece districts

11^th District: Pieter Smeenk
Perinton & East Rochester districts
12^th District: Karla Boyce-R
Henrietta & Rush districts
13^th District: Bob Zinck-R
Henrietta & Rush districts
16^th District: Peter Pecor-R
Irondequoit
19^th District: Bill Reilich-R
Greece districts

Congratulations also to voters who recognized the importance of being represented by pro-life individuals. Finally, thanks for PAC Chairperson Susan Heagney. .

Year 2000 will bring presidential, federal senatorial and congressional, as well as NY State Senate and Assembly races. There will be a great deal of PAC work to do and it will begin early in the year.

If interested in becoming politically involved, we urge you to sign up now to work with RARTL PAC. Call the office, 621-4690, and leave a message for Sue Heagney. She will return your call shortly and discuss the what area of political action you might prefer to volunteer.

It's Like Snowflakes

Each alone is beautiful but collectively they get much more attention.

So too our pro-life efforts, shared with pro-life family members, friends and neighbors are more likely to make a greater difference more quickly.

Convention: Saturday, January 22, 11:00 AM. Opening Session I is 1 – 5:00 PM Saturday; Session II is Saturday at 7:30 PM; Session III is Wrap-up and Action Items on Sunday, 1-5:00 PM. Registration is $20 for each session or $50 for all three.

March for Life: Monday, 1/24. The march is scheduled on the 24^th as the actual anniversary date, 1/22 is a Saturday and offices will be closed.

Research has now shown what many individuals have long known. Intercessory prayer has power in supplementing ordinary medical care.

The study involved 990 patients newly admitted to a coronary care unit. Those who had prayers being said for them experienced a "marked improvement" over the control group. Researchers suggested that "further studies using validated and standardized outcome measures" are warranted. "A Randomized, Controlled Trial of the Effects of Remote Intercessory Prayer on Outcomes in Patients Admitted to the Coronary Care Unit," Archives of Internal Medicine 10/25/99, pp. 2273-78, http://archinte.amaassn.org/issues/vl59n19/full/ioi90043.html.

Suggested Prayers

Please become a prayer partner by spending 5-10 minutes daily in prayer about life issues. We hope this partner-ship 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:
January 2: In this Millennium, we accept God’s leadership to an ever greater respect for innocent human life.
January 9: Women with difficult pregnancies may be helped to see that nothing is impossible with God.
January 16: More people recognize that life is the right of every child; not a special privilege for the fortunate, the planned and the perfect.
January 23 Legislators and judges may rely on the true wisdom of God in the matters affecting the right to life.
January 30: Parents use their time with their children to teach respect for life by prayer, words and actions.
February 6: This nation, so immersed in death, turn from sins like abortion and euthanasia and choose life
February 13: All of us called to speak out in defense of innocent human life may heed the words of Christ, "Do not be afraid!"
February 20: We may recognize that life is a gift from God which we human beings have no right to end at any time from conception to natural death.
February 27: Women who have had abortions may turn to Christ for His healing and forgiveness

Thanks to all who filled out and returned the Life-Lines evaluation. If you did not do an evaluation in October, please do one now. Here it is ...

Please participate in the survey below to help us make Life-Lines as valuable as possible for you.

1. I read it [___]immediately [___]in a week [___]in a month [___]in several months [___]rarely [___]never (check one)

2. The types of articles in Life-Lines are [___]informative[___]unnecessary [___]timely [___]old news; add comments below: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. The articles are written in a way that is [___]easy to understand [___]hard to understand .[___]clear [___]confusing

4. Please rate life issue areas covered: 1 = too little; 2 = need more; 3 = just right 4 = bit too much; 5 = far too much

[___]Abortion issue [___]Euthanasia issue [___]National issue news [___]State issue news [___]National legislation
[___] NY State legislation [___]Monroe County legislation [___]National events/activities [___]Local events/activities [___]Medical news [___] Legal news [___]Federal political news [___]NY State political news [___]RARTL news

What other kinds of information would you like to have in LifeLines? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________5. Please rate Life-Lines (1 = poor - - - 5 = excellent). My rating is [_]. Please give comments and suggestions ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

RARTL OFFICE HOURS
Tuesday 9 AM-7 PM;
Wednesday & Thursday 9 AM - 5 PM
or by appointment

What's New
Action Alerts	Pro-life in The News	Newsletter - Rochester Area RTL

Right to Life Website - Main Headings
Home	What's New	Local Events	Life Stage Help	About Us	Education Rochester	Gen Info Online	How You Can Help	Tell Us	TOC

	Blessed Merry Christmas – Happy Holidays and a Prayerful Greeting to Year 2000
	A new millenium and century - we, alive now, greet both.

LifeLines - December
	Rochester Area Right To Life