New York Pro-Life Advocates Honored for Stopping Expansive Pro-Abortion Bill
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 10, 2008
Albany, NY (LifeNews.com) — A group of pro-life advocates from New York state were honored at a pro-life dinner Thursday night for their efforts to stop an expansive pro-abortion bill in the state legislature. The Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act would significantly expand unlimited abortions in New York.
Several pro-life groups worked overtime to strongly oppose the bill because it would enshrine abortion in state law and overturn virtually every pro-life limit.
The measure is similar to the bill Barack Obama supports in Congress called the Freedom of Choice Act that would make unlimited abortions throughout pregnancy the national law and overturn every pro-life limit enacted in all 50 states.
The measure would also force Catholic and other pro-life hospitals to change their policies and do abortions upon request.
At their annual dinner, Americans United for Life presented the Henry J. Hyde Defender of Life Award to New Yorkers for Parental Rights and the group’s leader, Jessica Shanahan, was present to receive the award.
"The work of New Yorkers for Parental Rights is both an inspiration and a guide to all who work to protect women and the unborn," AUL President Dr. Charmaine Yoest said.
In presenting the award, AUL Staff Counsel Mailee Smith, who worked closely with NYFPR, said, "Tonight we honor Jessica Shanahan and New Yorkers for Parental Rights for their outstanding efforts and political insight."
Upon accepting the award, Ms. Shanahan said, "We did not relish this fight, but I felt a responsibility to do something. Unless more pro-life legislation is enacted and pro-abortion legislation is defeated, we will not continue to see a reduction in abortion in our country."
New Yorkers for Parental Rights was formed to combat the bill and, under the direction of Ms. Shanahan, NYFPR saw the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act go down in defeat.
The Henry J. Hyde Defender of Life Award is presented by Americans United for Life in recognition of outstanding legislative efforts in the defense of human life. Congressman Hyde represented Illinois’ 6th District from 1975 to 2006; he served as Honorary Chairman of Americans United for Life until his death in November 2007.
The award was presented at the 2008 Annual Gala. Held at the Palmer House Hilton of Chicago, the Gala was emceed by social commentator and activist Lakita Garth-Wright, and featured a keynote speech by author and National Review Senior Editor Ramesh Ponnuru.
Related web sites:
Americans United for Life – https://www.AUL.org
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