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A Thousand Words

The truth of the adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” is one we have all experienced firsthand. While we may chat with a friend about the stunning sunset we witnessed last night or warmly remark on the smirk our child or grandchild makes which melts our heart, we are often left feeling like we aren’t quite communicating the impact of the experience. However, when we pull up the picture of the sunset or smirk on our phone, we often find that the friend is able to respond with a heartfelt “Ah!” The picture speaks volumes.

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) understands how important pictures are when he introduced H.R. 648 in the U.S. Senate. This hopeful legislation would require abortionists to make an ultrasound picture of their preborn child available to any woman seeking an abortion. This bill, the “Ultrasound Informed Consent Act”  would provide in all 50 states what is already available to some extent in 28 states. Modeled after the National Right to Life “Right to Know and See,” the potential power of the “Ultrasound Informed Consent Act” to protect the unborn is clear.

For a newly expectant mother, the mystery of life inside the womb is easy to feel disconnected from, especially before the mother feels those first kicks of life. But provide that expectant woman with the picture of her baby’s heartbeat flickering on the ultrasound screen and that mystery feels much less shrouded. This picture, like the one of the sunset or the smirk, has the power to elicit the same, “Ah.” A picture speaks a thousand words.

And while ultrasound technology is not by any means new, having been first used in the 1950s, many do not know that since its earliest use it has its roots in the right-to life movement,

“‘Lesser known is that Ian Donald held his own faith-based opposition to abortion. Deborah Nicholson, author of a comprehensive thesis on the medical history of obstetric ultrasound, notes that he often performed ultrasound scans on women seeking terminations of pregnancy with the express intention of dissuading them from pursuing this action. In particular, the scan images would be shown to these women, while the implications of what was displayed on the image [were] carefully pointed out by the eminent professor’”

Ian Donald (Obstetrician) and Tom Brown (Engineer) are credited with being the first people who crafted the prototype [ultrasound] system. Donald, who passed away in 1987 would certainly applaud Senator Marshall’s bill.

Not applauding, however, are certain members of Congress, according to Carol Tobias, National Right to Life president,

While this reasonable legislation should attract bi-partisan support, nearly every Democrat in Congress rejects even the most common-sense protections for women and their unborn children.

These Democrats, led by U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), have thankfully failed in their attempt at sweeping legislation to overpower states’ rights regarding numerous limits on abortion just last week. Their failure, though narrow, paves the way for Marshall’s “Ultrasound Informed Consent Act” to gain traction providing women with the chance to see that awe-inspiring first glimpse of their unborn child–a glimpse that has the power to speak when words fail.

Take ACTION: Please click HERE to send a message to your federal representative to encourage him/her to support H.R. 648.  The defenders of commercialized abortion like to say their guiding principle is “choice” — yet women considering abortion are truly not in a position to make an informed choice without having sufficient, objective information. Such complete and accurate information on the reality and status of her pregnancy and of the child she is carrying in her womb is essential to her psychological and physical well-being and to her free exercise of autonomy.

Before, after and while you are taking action in support of the Ultrasound Informed Consent Act, please pray that our lawmakers hear and understand why this legislation is so important! Pray that moment in support of this legislation continues to grow, and that eyes would be open to the humanity of pre-born babies.

Read more:

If More Women Saw Ultrasounds of Their Baby, More Women Would Reject Abortion (LifeNews.com)





Sixth Planned Parenthood Video

The Center for Medical Progress released its sixth video earlier this week titled Human Capital – Episode 2: Inside the Planned Parenthood Supply Site. The video features a former StemExpress procurement technician explaining how women are manipulated to “donate” to research parts of their babies’ bodies after abortion for Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s (PPFA) profit.

“If it seems disturbing and repulsive to proudly flaunt participation in the killing of a human life, that’s because it is,” said Carol Tobias, National Right to Life president. “In previous videos, that’s exactly what we’ve seen Planned Parenthood officials doing–with total disregard for the unborn children whose body parts are being harvested.”

PPFA is the nation’s largest provider of abortions. About one-third of all abortions in the U.S. are performed at PPFA-affiliated facilities. According to their most recent annual report, PPFA received at least $528 million annually from the federal government or other levels of government.

“As baby body parts are being routinely salvaged from brutal abortion procedures–their bodies sifted through for organs while fees are callously being negotiated–the media continues to remain silent,” Tobias added. “If only these innocent babies were puppies or kittens, perhaps then we would hear uproar from those reporting the news.”

State Representative Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) is calling for an investigation of PPFA (HR 671) urging “the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Executive Inspector General, the Illinois Attorney General, and the Illinois Depart of Revenue to investigate Planned Parenthood’s procedures for abortions, obtaining informed consent, and sale of donation of human fetal tissues across the state.”  (Read more HERE.)

Rep. Ives is also pressuring Cook County to look into PPFA since a PPFA official mentions Stroger Hospital in Chicago as a key facility from which to acquire body parts due to Stroger’s output.

Meanwhile, State Senator Kyle McCarter (R-Vandalia) introduced SB 2165, a bill that would prohibit state government from providing tax dollars from going to an organization that performs abortions or maintains or operates a facility where abortions are performed.  (Read more HERE.)

But more can be done.  More must be done.

Take ACTION:  Sign this petition urging Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner to end any and all state business and/or funding (your money) of Planned Parenthood immediately.

Government funding — state and federal — of all Planned Parenthood  affiliates must end.

 

Download a Planned Parenthood Fact Sheet or a Church Bulletin Insert.


National Day of Protest Against Planned Parenthood
Saturday, August 22, 9:00 to 11:00 A.M.
Planned Parenthood, 3051 E New York St, Aurora (map)
Lead by the Pro-Life Action League

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U.S. House Will Vote on Legislation to Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks

Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives will hold a vote on or around the anniversary of the murder conviction of late-term abortionist Kermit Gosnell on a marquee bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy because unborn children feel intense pain in abortions. This is the second time Republicans have planned a vote on the major pro-life bill — and this vote is expected to take place this week, possibly Wednesday, the anniversary of Gosnell’s conviction.

U.S. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a pro-life California Congressman, confirmed the vote to the Weekly Standard.

“Life is precious and we must do everything we can to fight for it and protect it,” said McCarthy, a California Republican. “Our commitment for the House to consider this important legislation has been steadfast and I am proud of the work of our members to prepare this bill for House consideration next week.”

Take ACTION:  Click HERE to send a message to your U.S. Representative asking them to support H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.

You can also call the Capitol Switchboard to ask to be connected to your U.S. Representative’s office at (202) 224-3121.

In January, Congresswoman Renee Ellmers led the charge to sabotage the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act — a move that ultimately forced Republicans to pull the bill from the House floor — because she disagreed with a requirement in the bill that rape be reported to a law enforcement agency before an abortion is performed for rape.

Republican leaders in the U.S. House had planned to hold a monumental vote on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade in January on the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, legislation that bans abortions after 20 weeks based in part on the compelling scientific evidence showing unborn babies feel intense pain at that point, if not earlier.

However, several Republicans who have pro-life voting records and voted for the bill the last time around, publicly led by Rep. Renee Ellmers, sabotaged the bill by objecting to the provision allowing abortions in cases of rape or incest only if the rape were reported to law enforcement. Ellmers and the lawmakers who worked with her, threatened to vote against the bill or kill it by siding with Democrats to kill it. Although Ellmers publicly indicated she would vote for the bill, privately she painted another picture and she and other members forced House Republican leaders to pull the bill and rework the language.

After months of wrangling over language, with Ellmers and some other members of Congress siding with her for language that was a more expansive rape exception, House Republicans have finalized the language of the bill in a way that has the support of Ellmers and her colleagues, the backing of pro-life groups and in a manner that should result in a strong pro-life vote that paves the way for Senate consideration.

According to pro-life sources who spoke with LifeNews, the rape exception language will be airtight by requiring some sort of documented medical treatment or counseling 48 hours prior to the abortion (so hopefully the mother has a further chance to weigh abortion alternatives). In addition, such treatment or counseling must be provided by physicians or counselors that are outside of the abortion industry. In cases of rape or incest of a minor, the abuse must first be reported to either social service or law enforcement.

As pro-life sources have informed LifeNews, other new provisions of the bill that strengthen in include a born-alive infant protection requirement that requires a second doctor be present and prepared to provide  care to the child if he or she is born alive and that the child must receive the same level of care as would any other premature infant. The baby must then be transported and admitted to a hospital.  The woman is also empowered with a right to sue if the law is not followed, and is provided with an informed consent form that notifies her of the age of her baby and the requirements under the law.

Abortionists are explicitly required to follow state mandatory reporting laws and state parental involvement laws.  Finally, abortionists are required to report any late abortions done under the exceptions to the Center for Disease Control and such data will be compiled into an annual public report to ensure accountability.

Top pro-life advocates are strongly supporting the final version of the bill up for a vote next week, according to the Weekly Standard. Two major pro-life groups have already signed off on the revised bill.

“We will have even stronger support than we did in the last Congress,” said Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, a leading pro-life advocate in the House. “It will be good to have a truly unified pro-life conference.”

National Right to Life Committee president Carol Tobias worked closely with Republican leadership staff members and met Thursday with McCarthy. “I felt very comfortable working with leadership staff,” said Tobias. “We were working as allies.”

“We are thankful to our pro-life allies on the Hill, including House GOP leadership and the Congressional Pro-Life Women’s Caucus, who have tirelessly worked to bring this bill to a vote,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List. “This process has yielded a strong bill which we expect to pass next week with enthusiastic bipartisan support.”

Sponsoring Congressman Trent Franks of Arizona says the bill has the potential to save thousands of babies from abortion.

In a statement, Franks told LifeNews: “More than 18,000 ‘very late term’ abortions are performed every year on perfectly healthy unborn babies in America. These are innocent and defenseless children who can not only feel pain, but who can survive outside of the womb in most cases, and who are torturously killed without even basic anesthesia.   Many of them cry and scream as they die, but because it is amniotic fluid going over their vocal cords instead of air, we don’t hear them.”

Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee says several states have already passed the bill.

“The Franks-Blackburn bill is based on the NRLC model legislation that has been enacted in 10 states, and it reflects a policy that is broadly supported in national public opinion polls.  In the new Congress, every member of the House and Senate will go on record on whether to permit the continued killing of pain-capable unborn children, in the sixth month and later,” he told LifeNews.

A national poll by The Polling Company found that, after being informed that there is scientific evidence that unborn children are capable of feeling pain at least by 20 weeks, 64% would support a law banning abortion after 20 weeks, unless the mother’s life was in danger.   Only 30% said they would oppose such a law.

A November 2014 poll from Quinnipiac found that 60 percent of Americans support legislation limiting abortions after 20 weeks, including 56 percent of Independents and 46 percent of Democrats.

During the hearing on the 20-week ban when the U.S. House approved it previously, former abortion practitioner Anthony Levatino told members of the committee the gruesome details of his former abortion practice and how he became pro-life following the tragic automobile accident of his child.

Another bombshell dropped during the hearing came from Dr. Maureen Condic, who is Associate Professor of Neurobiology and Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She testified that the unborn child is capable of reacting to pain as early as 8-10 weeks. This is when most abortions in America take place.

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The bill relies on the science of fetal pain to establish a Constitutional reason for Congress to ban abortions late in pregnancy. The science behind the concept of fetal pain is fully established and Dr. Steven Zielinski, an internal medicine physician from Oregon, is one of the leading researchers into it. He first published reports in the 1980s to validate research showing evidence for it.

He has testified before Congress that an unborn child could feel pain at “eight-and-a-half weeks and possibly earlier” and that a baby before birth “under the right circumstances, is capable of crying.”

He and his colleagues Dr. Vincent J. Collins and Thomas J. Marzen were the top researchers to point to fetal pain decades ago. Collins, before his death, was Professor of Anesthesiology at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois and author of Principles of Anesthesiology, one of the leading medical texts on the control of pain.

“The functioning neurological structures necessary to suffer pain are developed early in a child’s development in the womb,” they wrote.

“Functioning neurological structures necessary for pain sensation are in place as early as 8 weeks, but certainly by 13 1/2 weeks of gestation. Sensory nerves, including nociceptors, reach the skin of the fetus before the 9th week of gestation. The first detectable brain activity occurs in the thalamus between the 8th and 10th weeks. The movement of electrical impulses through the neural fibers and spinal column takes place between 8 and 9 weeks gestation. By 13 1/2 weeks, the entire sensory nervous system functions as a whole in all parts of the body,” they continued.

With Zielinski and his colleagues the first to provide the scientific basis for the concept of fetal pain, Dr. Kanwaljeet Anand has provided further research to substantiate their work.

One leading expert in the field of fetal pain, Dr. Kanwaljeet S. Anand at the University of Tennessee, stated in his expert report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Justice, “It is my opinion that the human fetus possesses the ability to experience pain from 20 weeks of gestation, if not earlier, and the pain perceived by a fetus is possibly more intense than that perceived by term newborns or older children.”

“The neural pathways are present for pain to be experienced quite early by unborn babies,” explains Steven Calvin, M.D., perinatologist, chair of the Program in Human Rights Medicine, University of Minnesota, where he teaches obstetrics.

Dr. Colleen A. Malloy, Assistant Professor, Division of Neonatology at Northwestern University in her testimony before the House Judiciary Committee in May 2012 said, “[w]hen we speak of infants at 22 weeks LMP [Note: this is 20 weeks post fertilization], for example, we no longer have to rely solely on inferences or ultrasound imagery, because such premature patients are kicking, moving, reacting, and developing right before our eyes in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.”

“In today’s medical arena, we resuscitate patients at this age and are able to witness their ex-utero growth and development. Medical advancement and technology have enabled us to improve our ability to care for these infants…In fact, standard of care for neonatal intensive care units requires attention to and treatment of neonatal pain,” Dr. Malloy testified. She continued, “[t]hus, the difference between fetal and neonatal pain is simply the locale in which the pain occurs. The receiver’s experience of the pain is the same. I could never imagine subjecting my tiny patients to horrific procedures such as those that involve limb detachment or cardiac injection.”


This article was originally posted at the LifeNews.com website.