New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Headlines Pro-Life Rally

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jan 24, 2011   |   1:44PM   |   Trenton, NJ

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie continued the strong relationship he’s developed with pro-life advocates in the northeastern state by attending and speaking at the Rally for Life at the Statehouse steps today.

New Jersey Right to Life is the sponsor of the event that received more publicity thanks in part to the governor’s appearance.

“I stand with you,” on opposing abortion, the governor told the crowd, and “with each and every one of those precious human lives.”

“What we need to do each and every day is to live our lives in a way that encourages everyone to understand why this cause is so important,” Christie said, according to the Asbury Park Press. ”To show that we respect the life of every human being, and that every human being is one of God’s creatures and deserves the love and respect that God gives to all us.”

“As long as I have the honor of serving as governor, you will know you will have someone sitting in that office who understands the issue, who appreciates it and will continue to stand up and speak strongly in favor for the protection of every human life in New Jersey.”

Christie said elected officials who are pro-life must “speak loudly and clearly (and) leave no ambiguity about how we feel about this issue.”

Talking about his own views, Christie added: “As you all may know this is not an issue that I always understood nor was I always on your side. It is an issue I came to grow and learn about in a very personal way. My daughter Sarah will turn 15 in February. When I heard her heartbeat at three months in our doctor’s office, it was at that moment that it became clear to me that being on the sidelines on this issue was not something I could live with. I needed to speak out in favor of a very simple idea, that that child is a life which deserves protection.”

Christie has received praise from pro-life advocates since becoming the first pro-life governor in the state since the 1973 Supreme decision of Roe v. Wade allowed virtually unlimited abortions and propelled New Jersey to become one of the states with the highest number of abortions annually. Since his election, Christie has steadfastly refused to sign a bill funding the Planned Parenthood abortion business and it has since closed three of its centers due to the taxpayer funding cuts.

Christie said the precarious financial position the state currently faces necessitated the funding cuts.

Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono released a statement responding to Christie’s appearance, according to NJ.com, blasting him for joining the pro-life group, which she calls “extremist.”

“There is nothing objectionable to the governor’s personal stance against abortion, but his use of his office to promote an anti-choice agenda is troubling,” he said. “By aligning himself with the far-right in this debate, he is leaving millions of New Jersey women by the wayside.”

Marie Tasy, Executive Director of NJRTL, told LifeNews.com she was pleased that Christie accepted the invitation to attend.

“This year, we have a very special guest speaker who will address our rally – Governor Chris Christie,” she said before the event. “Christie has accepted our invitation to speak at the Rally. Please help us give a warm welcome to the Governor and all our wonderful speakers.”

Previously, Tasy applauded Christie for vetoing the Planned Parenthood funding.

“For years, Planned Parenthood has been part of the problem and not the solution,” she said. “Planned Parenthood promotes abortion and refers minors for abortion without parental involvement.” [related]

Though the money doesn’t pay for abortions directly, she says the state budget has essentially allowed Planned Parenthood to be refunded for doing them.

“Two of the Planned Parenthood organizations which receive family planning money also perform abortions. Although they claim that funding for family planning is kept separate and not used for abortion, all funds are fungible,” Tasy explained.

“Their clinics make a profit from referring for abortion and they then refer the minor girl to one of their clinics that perform abortions. It’s time this gravy train ended. Taxpayers should not be funding this organization. Governor Christie should be commended for this courageous move,” Tasy added.