THE ERIE ECHO “voice for life”

Vol. XL No. 3 www.peopleforlife.org November 2012 Welcome George Weigel George Weigel, highly-acclaimed author directors of several organizations dedicated to II, in-print in at least 13 languages, Witness to and public policy expert, will be the featured human rights and the cause of religious Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II . speaker at People for Life’s 35th Annual Pro- freedom and is a member of the editorial Pro-Life Breakfast Reservations Life Breakfast on January 19, 2013. board of the journal First Things . He and his The Pro-Life Breakfast will be held for Mr. Weigel is a Distinguished Senior wife Joan have three children and one the first time at the Erie Bayfront Convention Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center grandchild and live in North Bethesda, Center. Reservations (required) are $13.00 in Washington, DC and one of America’s Maryland. for teens and adults and $7 for kids 12 and leading public intellectuals. He has been Mr. Weigel is the author of 20 books, under. Tickets can be obtained at our 1611 awarded ten honorary doctorates, the papal including The Cube and the Cathedral: Peach St. office in Suite 321, through the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, and the Europe, America, and Politics Without God mail, or through www.peopleforlife.org using Gloria Artis Gold Medal from the Republic and the official biography of Pope John Paul a credit card or PayPal. of Poland. He serves on the boards of The Power of the Presidency In the continuing battle to save unborn his tenure and would probably support an Simply put, it is not unlikely that the next children from and to reestablish overturn of Roe v. Wade , is 76. It is not President will appoint three Supreme Court societal respect for all human lives, the known to what extent Justice Anthony justices. President Obama has already president of the is by far the Kennedy, also 76, would be willing to change appointed two pro-abortion justices, and it is most influential person in our country. This Roe v. Wade , but he has defended pro-life very clear he will continue to appoint only life and death struggle will not be won or lost laws, even writing the majority opinion that justices that share his extreme pro-abortion in any single election, but a presidential rebuffed a pro-abortion challenge to the views. Three more pro-abortion appointments election can produce breathtaking pro-life current ban on partial-birth abortion. would cement the Roe v. Wade decision in gains or quickly set back our cause by a The replacement of just one pro-life place for the next 30 years and could very generation or more. justice with a pro-abortion justice would easily result in the repeal of hundreds of pro- The road to ultimate pro-life victory (full decisively shift the Court to an life laws, causing abortion rates to skyrocket. protection from all forms of imposed death uncompromising pro-abortion posture. It If the next three justices are appointed by for all innocent human beings throughout the would at the very least make Roe v. Wade a President Romney instead, they are likely to entire continuum of life) will probably be (abortion throughout pregnancy) untouchable be conservative jurists who would be willing measured in decades or perhaps generations. for decades to come, sealing the fate of to reconsider Roe v. Wade and would respect Nevertheless, a president’s policies and actions untold millions of unborn children. At worst, the U.S. Constitution (which contains no can and do have a dramatic impact on it would also result in the repeal of hundreds right to abortion) and the democratically- progress toward long-term pro-life goals and of current state and federal abortion enacted pro-life laws that are now in place. on the near-term objective of saving as many regulations, including laws that prevent Presidential Veto babies as possible as soon as possible. government funding of abortion. These A pro-abortion president, especially one Supreme Court Appointments regulations are arguably responsible for who is beholden to Planned Parenthood and Every president has the power to make saving at least 400,000 lives per year since the rest of the abortion lobby, can be lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court. the mid-90s. expected to veto any and all pro-life These appointments have tremendous Even pro-life laws with strong public legislation that reaches his desk. President ramifications for the pro-life cause. Legal support have survived the Court’s judicial Obama, for instance, would almost certainly abortion on demand was imposed on all 50 review by only the slimmest of margins. The oppose even the most modest, common-sense states by the Supreme Court in the Roe v. Hyde amendment, which prevents Medicaid regulation of the abortion industry. As a U.S. Wade decision. And, as pro-abortion activists from paying for with federal senator, Obama cosponsored the Freedom of know very well, this policy remains in effect money, was narrowly upheld by a 5-4 vote in Choice Act , a bill that would have invalidated only because some members of the Court 1980. The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act , practically every abortion restriction and continue to defend that indefensible decision. legislation that was supported by a large regulation ever enacted, including those that During the next presidential term, three of majority of the American people and large protect the safety and basic rights of the the Court’s nine justices will turn 80 years majorities in both the House and Senate, was woman seeking an abortion. old. Pro-abortion Justice Ruth Bader also upheld by only one vote in a 5-4 decision. Obama could even be expected to veto Ginsberg is already 79, and she was recently That outcome would have been much different legislation that would curtail only the most treated for pancreatic cancer. Justice Antonin if George W. Bush had not recently appointed extreme and outrageous practices. He Scalia, who has upheld pro-life laws during pro-life Justices Samuel Alito and John Roberts. continued on page 2

Page 2 The Erie Echo November 2012 U.S. Senate Bob Casey, Jr. (D) says he is Wiley (D) is pro-abortion. Janet Anderson Election 2012 pro-life. He has a 44% pro-life voting record, (R) leans pro-life. (See below: “PA Senate The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation and he voted for ObamaCare. Tom Smith (R) Anderson/Wiley.”) Political Action Committee examined the is pro-life. STATE HOUSE voting records, public statements, and/or Congress PA 3 Mike Kelly (R) is pro-life. District 1 Pat Harkins (D) is pro-life. questionnaire responses of the candidates on (100% pro-life voting record) Missa Eaton District 2 Flo Fabrizio (D) is pro-abortion. the ballot in the General Election on (D) is pro-abortion. (Eaton: “I don’t want a District 3 Ryan Bizzarro (D) is pro-life. Jason November 6 and issued the evaluations situation where the government is involved in Owen (R) is pro-life on abortion. (However, presented below. doctors [sic] office. That should be left to a Owen said he would have to see the specific NOTE Pro-life means that a candidate woman, her doctor...”) legislation before deciding if he would vote supports legislation to protect unborn Congress PA 5 Charles Dumas (D) is pro- against state funding for embryonic stem cell children and supports positive alternatives to abortion. Glenn Thompson (R) is pro-life. research.) abortion. Pro-abortion means that a candidate (100% pro-life voting record) District 4 Curt Sonney (R) is pro-life. would not support legislation to protect PA Attorney General Kathleen Kane (D) is District 5 Jason White (D) is pro-abortion. unborn children; would add so many pro-abortion. David Freed (R) is pro-life. Greg Lucas (R) is pro-life. exceptions to such legislation as to render it PA Auditor General Eugene Depasquale District 6 Brad Roae (R) is pro-life. meaningless; or, in the case of an incumbent, (D) is pro-abortion. John Maher (R) is pro- District 7 Mark Longietti (D) is pro-life. has a pro-abortion record. The following life. District 8 Dick Stevenson (R) is pro-life. candidates are on ballots in northwestern PA. PA Treasurer Robert McCord (D) is pro- District 17 Michelle Brooks (R) is pro-life. President of the United States Barack abortion. Diana Irey Vaughan (R) is pro-life. District 64 The position of Lee James (R) is Obama (D) is pro-abortion. Mitt Romney (R) STATE SENATE unknown. is pro-life. (A flyer comparing the candidates District 21 (includes eastern Erie County) District 65 Kathy Rapp (R) is pro-life. (Rapp on five key human life issues is available at Scott Hutchinson (R) is pro-life. is the primary sponsor of the pro-life www.peopleforlife.org.) District 49 (western Erie County) Sean Women’s Right to Know Act .)

FROM PAGE 1 business. Under the , Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion The Presidency organizations that provide or promote provider. Planned Parenthood opposes any abortion as a method of or that and all restrictions on abortion at any time opposed an Illinois bill that would have campaign for the legalization of abortion in during pregnancy and strongly supports required that infants born alive during an countries with pro-life laws are ineligible to government funding for abortion on demand. attempted abortion be given the same care receive money from U.S. taxpayers. Planned Parenthood also provided two that any other child in the same medical The Mexico City policy is clearly an college interns to work on Wiley’s campaign condition would receive, rather than being effective pro-life tool. When President George during the summer months. killed or left alone to die. The language of the W. Bush reinstated the Mexico City policy With memories of the Erie American bill was taken verbatim from the federal Born continued on page 4 Women’s Services abortion facility (2003- Alive Infants Protection Act , which was 2007) still fresh in our minds, it is disturbing approved unanimously by the U.S. Senate. PA Senate Anderson/Wiley to think about how a Wiley / Planned Obama also voted against the Partial Birth Republican Janet Anderson and democrat Parenthood political alliance might lead to Abortion Ban Act and against a bill to prevent Sean Wiley are vying for the 49th District Erie becoming, once again, the abortion minors from being taken across state lines for state senate seat which has been held by Jane center of northwestern Pennsylvania and the an abortion without parental consent. He even Earll since 1997. tri-state area. opposes a ban on “gendercide” abortions, Sean Wiley is rated by the Planned Prior to his Planned Parenthood where babies, usually girls, are targeted Parenthood of Pennsylvania Political Action endorsement, People for Life made three solely because of their gender. Committee as “pro-.” attempts to arrange a meeting with Wiley, In October 2011 Obama issued a formal Similarly, Wiley is rated by the Pennsylvania one of them during a face-to-face veto threat against a bill that would have Pro-Life Federation Political Action conversation with Wiley’s campaign prevented federal money from being used to Committee as “pro-abortion.” manager. Wiley, however, was unresponsive. pay for abortion or to fund insurance plans In the primary election, Wiley was one of Janet Anderson, Wiley’s opponent, did that pay for abortion. only five state senate candidates in respond to our request for an interview and Pro-life presidents, in contrast, have Pennsylvania that were endorsed by Planned shared her views during a cordial, 75-minute repeatedly used the power of the veto to keep meeting. She also responded to a questionnaire anti-life agendas in check during their terms from the PA Pro-Life Federation. Anderson is in office. PEOPLE FOR LIFE www.peopleforlife.org substantially but not perfectly supportive of International Consequences the PA Pro-Life Federation’s positions and is The power of the presidency extends well (814) 882-1333  (814) 459-1333 described by their political action committee beyond the ability to shape domestic abortion [email protected] as “leans pro-life.” policies for the United States. The president Twitter: gopeopleforlife During our interview we learned that also has immense power to bring his ideas www.facebook.com/peopleforlife Anderson is fully supportive of the Pennsylvania and opinions about abortion to bear on people MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 1126  Erie, PA 16512 Abortion Control Act , fully in opposition to and societies all around the world. government funding of elective abortion, and The Mexico City policy provides a good MAIN OFFICE 1625 West 26th St.  Erie, PA supportive of legal protection for unborn example of how a president’s attitude toward — REGULAR HOURS — children in the vast majority of cases. She abortion directly affects other nations. Thursday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. was, however, hesitant to support prohibiting Originally put in place by President Reagan DOWNTOWN OFFICE abortion in cases of rape or grave medical and in 1984, it was intended to get the United Alternative Choices for Women 1611 Peach St., Suite 321  Erie, PA physical complications, which account for States out of the international abortion (814) 464-0266 two or three percent of all abortions, at most. Open Monday through Friday - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. November 2012 The Erie Echo Page 3

To make reservations, send $48 per seat Forty-eight dollars will completely pay March for Life to People for Life or visit www.peopleforlife for one person’s seat or allow two people to Bus Trip .org and use your credit card or PayPal travel for half-price. In some cases even a account. partial sponsorship of $10 or $15 can make People for Life’s 40th Annual Bus Trip Please act quickly while seats are still the difference between someone marching to the Washington, DC March for Life will available. Last January we had to turn in DC or having to stay home.  set out from Erie on Thursday, January 24, people away because all seats were taken. 2013 at 11 p.m. We will return to Erie at Your early reservations will also help to Erie March for Life approximately 2 a.m. on the 26th. We hope maximize the success of our Bus Trip by Please mark your calendar and set aside you will be on board. helping us ensure that we have enough seats a couple of hours for the Erie March for Life The March for Life is an amazing tribute for everyone. After mid-December, it on January 12, 2013. The March will begin to the sanctity of human life and to the quickly becomes impossible to secure at 11 a.m. at Erie’s Perry Square. Plan to be determination of pro-life Americans to additional buses. at the Gazebo by 10:45 a.m. A Memorial protect unborn children from the abortion Service following the March will conclude industry. Every year the event becomes Be a Bus Trip Sponsor by 12:15 p.m. This is a brief event but it more powerful as our numbers, now in the Please consider being a March for Life reaches a lot of people through television hundreds of thousands, continue to grow. Bus Trip sponsor. Your donation could help and newspaper coverage, so a big turnout is The March will take place on a Friday a college or high school student on a tight very important. Please begin right now to this January. This will be a big benefit for budget or a mom and dad with kids who will invite your friends and family. You may all those who will not have to get up early be making a sacrifice just to cover the cost also be able to organize a group from your for school or work on Saturday. of meals during the trip. school, church or youth group. Memorials Given by In Memory of Given by In Memory of Ray & Peg Fitzgerald and Family J. Edward Adams Donald & Rita Burick Henrietta Sinnott John E. Auer Leona & George Auer Keith & Melanie Wagner Michael & Joanne Wagner Lawrence F.Berdis Mrs. Lawrence (Johanna) Berdis Daniel J. Brabender Dan & Jane Brabender Given by In Honor of Ray & Peg Fitzgerald Gerri Cacchione Jim & Mary Lou Speice Charles & Ann Siford Eileen V. Cullen James W. Cullen 55th Wedding Anniversary Gerald & Susan Verga Tom Doyle Ray & Peg Fitzgerald Joe Wachter - 70th Birthday Ella Galvin Galvin Family Deceased Tom & Chris Yadeski Jim Yadeski Marian E. Adelman Rev. Robert Kerner Tom & Chris Yadeski Rose Ann Yadeski

People for Life is a volunteer-based, non-profit, non-sectarian, citizen’s education and by fostering political awareness. We advocate loving alternatives to organization committed to affirming the intrinsic value of human life. We are the primitive and violent “solutions” of abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia. dedicated to advancing true justice by working for the protection of all innocent Working together, we are determined to achieve a society in which all human lives human lives, whatever the age, race, sex, physical condition, economic status, or are valued and protected. The Erie Echo is published in Erie, PA by People for place of residence (including the womb). We encourage local involvement through Life, Tim Broderick, Editor.

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Please make your check payable to: Contributions or gifts to People for Life, Inc. are not tax deductible. PEOPLE FOR LIFE , INC . The official registration and financial information of People for Life, Inc. may be obtained from P.O. Box 1126 the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Erie, PA 16512 Registration does not imply endorsement.

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NRL Convention 2012 Our balloons and “I Love Life” stickers were providers and pro-abortion lobbying groups very popular as well. This year we also only two days after taking office. People for Life Director Tim Broderick handed out hundreds of flyers comparing the Shortly thereafter Obama restored and Joe Caulfield, currently the vice- presidential candidates’ positions on abortion funding for the United Nations Family president of programming for Gannon and health care rationing. Planning Agency. Funding for that entity had University Students for Life, attended the Our last major event this year will be the been withheld during the eight years of the three-day National Right to Life Convention Girls World Expo at the Bayfront Convention Bush administration because of UNFPA’s in Washington, DC this past June. Center on November 4. involvement in the Chinese one-child-per- The event featured scores of educational See pictures of our outreach booths and family program, which is implemented with workshops and appearances by a diverse tables at www.peopleforlife.org and forced abortions and sterilizations. group of high-power pro-life leaders, from www.facebook.com/peopleforlife. Speaking in China at Sichuan University, Live Action President Lila Rose to U.S. Obama’s V.P., Joe Biden, added “moral” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Pro-Life Presentations support for the brutal practice of forced Reggie Littlejohn, the attorney who had just A phone call or e-mail is all it takes to abortion to Obama’s financial support when negotiated the release of the blind Chinese arrange a free pro-life presentation for your he declared, “Your policy has been one which anti-abortion activist Chen Guangcheng. school, church, or other organization. Our I fully understand – I’m not second-guessing Joe says he thoroughly enjoyed his first Overview of Abortion presentation is very – of one child per family.” NRL Convention and will long remember it popular. The full version covers fetal On March 27, 2009 Obama’s secretary of as “a great introduction to the national pro- development, Roe v. Wade , abortion State Hillary Clinton, speaking at a Planned life movement.” procedures, statistics and public opinion, Parenthood national conference in Houston, Broderick presented a convention recently-enacted laws and current legislation, announced that “reproductive rights” would workshop on right-to-life chapter activities. abortion in Erie, and pro-life activism. Age- be at the top of the U.S. government’s He used People for Life’s years of experience appropriate versions are available for international agenda. Clinton frankly to demonstrate the benefits of harmonizing audiences ranging from middle school admitted, a month later during a Congressional local pro-life projects with the priorities and students to adults. hearing, that the Obama administration’s objectives of National Right to Life and its To learn more call (814) 882-1333. definition of “reproductive rights” most state affiliates. FROM PAGE 2 certainly incudes abortion on demand. Community Outreach The Presidency In 2010, Kenya became a focal point of People for Life’s community outreach after an eight-year suspension under pro- Obama’s international abortion ambitions. He program has taken us to 10 events all around abortion President Bill Clinton, International exerted so much pressure on Kenya to Erie County so far this year: WCTL Planned Parenthood’s budget was reduced by legalize abortion that the U.S. Government Women’s Conference; Erie Wild Rib Cook 25%. The Center for Reproductive Law said Accounting Office opened an investigation to Off & Music Festival; CorryFest; North East at the time that the Mexico City policy would see if Obama had broken any U.S. laws. Firemen’s Cherry Festival; Waterford significantly set back its efforts to expand U.S. Rep. Chris Smith summarized the Community Heritage Days; Dan Rice Days; abortion in the countries of Latin America, situation this way: “The Obama Celebrate Erie; and the Wattsburg, where the cultures are strongly pro-life. administration basically hired surrogates to Waterford, and Albion Fairs. We want to Obama rescinded the Mexico City policy do its dirty work of abortion promotion in extend a huge thank-you to the dozens of by executive order on January 23, 2009, Kenya. U.S. policy on international volunteers, including many high school and restoring funding to international abortion constitutional reform is, by law, supposed to college students, who took time be abortion-neutral. This new out of their busy schedules to 2012 PRO -LIFE DATE BOOK 2013 [GAO] report shows that at a staff all of these events. We are minimum the Obama also grateful to our members and Nov. 6 General Election administration ignored the donors whose generous financial Nov. 13 PA Pro-Life Federation Celebrate Life Banquet - Camp Hill, prohibition with the end result support makes our ambitious PA being a new Kenyan constitution Jan. 12 Erie March for Life - Downtown Erie outreach program possible. that vastly expands access to Jan. 19 2013 Pro-Life Breakfast - Bayfront Convention Center, Erie Our life-size fetal models Jan. 24 Buses leave for the Washington, DC March for Life, 11 p.m. , courtesy of were the main attraction as usual. Jan. 25 40th March for Life - Washington, DC the U.S. taxpayer.” April 15 General Meeting, 6:45 p.m. - Main Office, 1625 W. 26th St. May 10-12 Annual Mother’s Day Carnation Project May 12 Mother’s Day May 20 Election of Officers, 6:45 p.m. - Main Office, 1625 W. 26th St.