THE ERIE ECHO “voice for life”

Vol. XXXVII No. 1 www.peopleforlife.org January 2009 Meet Ramesh Ponnuru “You’ll love Ramesh!” – Jacki Ragan, a media fellow at Stanford University’s National Right to Life Director of State Hoover Institution. Organizational Development His book The Party of Death examines Ramesh Ponnuru will be the main abortion and euthanasia and how “pro- speaker at People for Life’s annual Pro-Life choice” activists have manipulated the Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, January 17. political parties, the judicial system, and the The event will be held in Erie at the mainstream media to advance their agenda. Ambassador Banquet & Conference Center. As the Evangelical leader Charles Colson Mr. Ponnuru is a Senior Editor of has observed, the book is a “carefully Magazine and author of researched and rigorously argued work The Party of Death , published in 2006. [that] skillfully rebuts the seductive Of Asian Indian descent, Ramesh arguments of America’s merchants of Ponnuru grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas. death.” He graduated high school at age 16 and Dr. Robert George, the well-known went on to , graduating McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at summa cum laude with a B.A. in history. Princeton, has described Ponnuru’s history Ponnuru has published articles in thesis as “superb” and “the kind of work one numerous newspapers including the New expects from a young professor.” The thesis York Times , , the Wall focused on a friend-of-the-court brief filed Street Journal , the , by 281 (evidently pro-abortion) historians in

Newsday , and the . He has the Webster v. Reproductive Health Services PHOTO BY MICHAEL RONQUILLO also written for , abortion case that was heard by the U.S. Ramesh Ponnuru Policy Review , , First Supreme Court. Ponnuru maintained that young man, not only a person of the highest Things , Reason and other leading the brief seriously misrepresented historical intellectual gifts but also one of integrity publications. He has appeared on CNN’s fact and that it actually contradicted material and personal rectitude. He is not afraid to Inside Politics , NBC’s The McLaughlin that was previously published by many of criticize his own side.... He’s extremely Group , MSNBC’s Buchanan & Press and the historians who signed the brief. fair-minded.” Donahue , CNBC’s Kudlow & Cramer , The thesis was seen as bold and Ponnuru lives in Washington D.C. with PBS’s The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer , courageous not only because it challenged his wife April and young daughter Mary. CSPAN’s Washington Journal , Comedy pronouncements of the academic elite, but Copies of The Culture of Death will be Central’s Politically Incorrect , Fox News, because some the historians that Ponnuru on sale at the Pro-Life Prayer Breakfast, and and NPR’s Morning Edition . took to task were currently teaching right Mr. Ponnuru has graciously agreed to sign Ponnuru has been a fellow at the there at Princeton. autographs. Institute of Economic Affairs in London and “I’m very proud that he was my Read more about the Pro-Life Prayer student,” said Dr. George. “He’s a brilliant Breakfast on page 2. Erie March & Motorcade for Life The annual Erie March & Motorcade for Everyone who is able to march is Square Gazebo in downtown Erie at 11:00 Life will take place on January 10, 2009. It encouraged to do so, but for those who am. All participants should arrive at least will be a local observance of the 36th would have difficulty walking the distance a 15 minutes early. anniversary of the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Motorcade will follow the marchers. Parade marshals will begin setting up the Bolton Supreme Court decisions, which The March will begin at the Perry Motorcade at 10:30 am. A line of vehicles gave our nation the most extreme abortion will form along the north side of South Park policies in the Western World. Caution: Winter Weather Row. (South Park Row is the one-way, Set aside an hour or so to be part of this Marchers should come prepared for westbound street on the south side of Perry winter weather conditions with warm urgent call for real CHANGE on behalf of Square.) Drivers should turn on their clothing and warm, non-slip boots. The our nation’s unborn children. Invite City of Erie does a good job clearing emergency flashers upon arrival to identify everyone you can think of to march with streets and sidewalks for us, but some their vehicles as part of the Motorcade. Red you. snow and ice is to be expected. ribbons will also be used for this purpose. continued on page 3 Page 2 T he Erie Echo January 2009

speech that earned him a trip to the state the new Precious Feet are enhanced with a Annual Pro- finals in the National Right to Life High touch of color (choice of pink, pastel blue, Life Prayer School Oratory Contest last spring. The or white). speech is based on an essay Joseph wrote Business and Professional that took first place in the statewide 2008 Breakfast Student Essay Contest sponsored by the PA Sponsor Listings People for Life’s 31st Annual Pro-Life Pro-Life Federation. The printed program for the Pro-Life Prayer Breakfast will be held on Saturday, Erie Catholic Bishop Donald Trautman Prayer Breakfast will include sponsor January 17 at 9 am. We are excited to be at has made plans to attend and promised to listings for local businesses and a new location this year, the Ambassador share a few words with us as well. professionals. Listings are available at Banquet & Conference Center on Peach Free babysitting with entertaining levels of $10, $25, $50, $75, and $100 Street just north of I-90. The doors will activities for children of all ages will be (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and open and our pro-life displays will be ready available during the speaking portion of the Diamond). to browse at 8:00 am. program. Parents are invited to take Sponsors will also be eligible for a We are very happy to be hosting an advantage of this service so they are better listing and link on our website, incredible guest speaker, National Review able to devote their full attention to the www.peopleforlife.org. Magazine Senior Editor Ramesh Ponnuru. keynote message while the kids are also Please help spread the word to pro-life For tickets, mail $12 per person ($7.50 enjoying themselves. business people and other pro-life for ages 3-10; no charge for kids under 3) to A large selection of pro-life literature professionals! People for Life or visit either of our two and promotional materials, including a new For more information or a sponsorship Erie offices. version of the famous Precious Feet lapel form, call (814) 882-1333 or e-mail Also this year, high school senior Joseph pin, will be on display before and after the . Caulfield will present the very impressive program. Available for the very first time,

The official March for Life program someone with a strong desire to “march for March for Life begins at noon with a Rally on the National life.” Mall at 7th Street, between the U.S. Capitol Please consider being a March for Life Bus Trip and the Washington Monument. The March sponsor. In some cases, even a partial The annual Washington, DC March for itself begins at approximately 1:15 pm, sponsorship of $10 or $20 could make the Life will take place on January 22, two days following Constitution Avenue to the U.S. difference between someone marching in after the inauguration of Barack Obama. Supreme Court. DC or having to stay home. Plan now to march in DC to show the Members of Silent No More, a national Freedom of Choice Act new President, as well as the new 111th pro-life organization made up of women Everyone probably knows by now that Congress, that Americans really do care who have had abortions, will gather on the the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is the about their unborn brothers and sisters. steps of the Supreme Court at 3:30 pm and most radical and dangerous pro-abortion People for Life has chartered three 56- present testimonies about their own abortion legislation ever introduced in Congress and passenger motor coaches for our 36th experiences as the marchers are passing by. that Barack Obama, a cosponsor of this bill, annual March for Life Bus Trip. As this When they finish the March many cannot wait to sign it into law. newsletter goes to press, about half the seats people will take time to visit their senators Although FOCA is only one of many have already been taken, so make your and representatives in the nearby House and anti-life bills that we will have to fight reservations as soon as possible. Senate office buildings. Many legislators during the next four years, no bill is likely to People for Life has sponsored a set aside a generous amount of time to be more dangerous. successful Bus Trip every year since the spend with the marchers. People for Life Now is the time to start lobbying our first March for Life in 1974. That year, the provides the times and locations of any federal legislators in opposition to FOCA. marchers numbered about 20,000. At least meetings that have been scheduled. Remember, whether you are ten times that many are expected this year. The return trip begins at 5:00 pm. We communicating by phone, e-mail, or We will board the buses at St. George will make a quick stop for dinner at a Prime conventional mail, always provide your Outlets food court just off the Interstate at Church, 5145 Peach St. on Wednesday continued on page 3 evening, January 21 at 11:00 pm. There Hagerstown, MD and return to Erie at will be a brief stop at the I-79 Edinboro Exit approximately 1:00 am Friday morning. to pick up marchers from that area, We hope you will join us for this very two ways to make... including a group of students from the important March for Life. Anyone who has BREAKFAST AND BUS TRIP University. We will arrive in Washington, attended the March will tell you it is a RESERVATIONS DC at approximately 7:30 am Thursday moving experience and one that will always morning. A few hours will be available for be remembered . 1. MAIL YOUR CHECK sightseeing. People for Life, Inc. Many people choose to visit points of Needed: Bus Trip Sponsors PO Box 1126 / Erie, PA 16512 Due to the current economic situation, a pro-life interest such as the March for Life 2. VISIT ONE OF OUR OFFICES Convention headquarters; National Right to larger-than-usual number of deserving students and families will be in need of Downtown...1611 Peach St., Suite 321 Life headquarters; the U.S. Holocaust Open 9 to 5, Monday through Friday some financial help in order to attend the Museum; and (a favorite destination for tens Main Office...1625 W. 26th St. of thousands of Roman Catholic marchers) March for Life this year. Despite increases Call for open hours. the National Basilica on the campus of the in our costs, we have held the price per bus ______Catholic University of America, a virtual seat to $40, same as last year. Nevertheless Call (814) 882-1333 or go online for more beehive of pro-life activity that morning. $40 can be a significant obstacle for information about our January Activities. someone on a tight budget, even for www.peopleforlife.org January 2009 The Erie Echo Page 3

12:30 pm at the latest. FROM PAGE 1 For the latest info rmation about all of March & Motorcade Student Volunteers our upcoming Roe v. Wade anniversary In recent years the March had been 24 High school and college students are activities please monitor... blocks long, traveling all the way from Perry encouraged to check with People for Life Square to 18th Street where it would pass by about volunteer opportunities. We can offer www.peopleforlife.org the American Women’s Services abortion a variety of projects to choose from and and People for Life’s facility before returning to Perry Square. flexible hours. Students are welcome to call E-Mail Updates This January, that distance will be reduced to Tim at (814) 882-1333 to see if we can To receive E-Mail Updates, send a subscribe 10 blocks in the hope that this will encourage provide an assignment that matches their request to . many more people to participate. individual talents, interests, and/or AWS has been dormant for almost two community service requirements. FROM PAGE 2 years. If and when it reopens, the March will People for Life Membership be rerouted accordingly once again. Freedom of Choice Act As we begin a new year, strengthen your After an invocation and brief opening name, address, and telephone number and commitment to the pro-life cause by joining remarks, the marchers will proceed west on request a written response. This will, at a People for Life or renewing your current West 6th Street to Sassafras, south to West minimum, help ensure that your message is membership. A membership form with all 10th Street, east to State Street, then north on formally noted and tallied. the information is provided below. State back to Perry Square, where there will Your message can be very simple: “I’m Please also consider an extra donation to be a brief Memorial Service at the Gazebo. pro-life. I acknowledge the basic scientific support our ongoing projects, such as pro- The March & Motorcade will pass by several fact that human life begins at conception, life outreach at local community events. Our significant landmarks including the County and I strongly support LEGAL protection for record 13 events in 2008 required us to Courthouse, the Federal Courthouse, and unborn children and all vulnerable human spend–invest, that is–a considerable amount Erie City Hall. lives. I am urging you to OPPOSE the of money, but we are certain that the results The Memorial Service will conclude by Freedom of Choice Act .” were well worth cost. Memorials Given by In Memory of Given by In Memory of Ed & Jean Hammer Patricia Baginski Ray & Peg Fitzgerald Jim Smith Ed & Jean Hammer Irene Chapin Family & Friends Carmen Squeglia Theresa Dworaczyk Ambros & Rosie Dworaczyk Jim & Rose Ann Yadeski Hank Starr Jean Hughes Tom Hughes Ed & Jean Hammer Robert Terrill Bernard R. Graf Dolores Kreger Ed & Jean Hammer Dolores Kreger Given by In Honor of Mr. & Mrs. James Yadeski Dolores Kreger William L. Schmidt William A. Schmidt, Jr. Bill & Ann Seelinger Chuck Mitchell Dave Wayman Rosemary Wayman

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 considered sacred. The Erie Echo is published bimonthly in Erie, PA by place of residence (including the womb). We encourage local involvement through People for Life, Inc., Tim Broderick, editor. PEOPLE FOR LIFE MEMBERSHIP /D ONATION FORM NAME ______DATE ______ADDRESS ______CITY ______STATE ______ZIP ______E-MAIL ______PHONE ______FAX ______AFFILIATED WITH ______OCCUPATION ______Church, Business, Civic Organization, etc. MEMBERSHIP DONATION New  Renewal  DUES: Individual $10  Family $20  Senior Citizen $5  Student $5  Group $25  Patron $50  Benefactor $100  Other Amount ______GENERAL DONATION ______Specify if for a special purpose: ______MEMORIAL DONATION ______In Memory Of  In Honor Of  ______

___ Fair Booths ___ Sidewalk Counseling ___ March For Life Bus Trip Worker VOLUNTEER ___ Phone Calling ___ Literature Distribution ___ Mother’s Day Carnation Project OPPORTUNITIES ___ Office Attendant ___ Public Demonstrations ___ Erie March & Motorcade Worker ___ Newsletter Mailing ___ Pro-Life Breakfast Worker ___ ‘Call when you need an extra hand.’

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 the P.O. Box 1126 Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Erie, PA 16512 Registration does not imply endorsement.

Page 4 T he Erie Echo November 2006

PEOPLE FOR LIFE INC ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORG

1625 W 26TH ST US POSTAGE PAID PO BOX 1126 ERIE PA ERIE PA 16512 PERMIT NO 1973

______

‘Vote Pro-Life’ Billboards Students in grades 7-12 are eligible to Former Bishop of Scranton James Timlin PEOPLE FOR LIFE compete. Contestants are required to write a once famously said, “Abortion is the issue www.peopleforlife.org pro-life essay about abortion, infanticide, this year and every year in every campaign.... An affiliate of the PA Pro-Life Federation euthanasia, or stem cell research. Word It is the single most important issue (814) 459-1333 ### (814) 882-1333 limits are 500 for grades 7-9 and 750 for confronting not only Catholics, but the entire grades 10-12. Each essay should include a electorate.” This is merely common sense if MAILING ADDRESS cover page with the student’s name, address, you think about it, but unfortunately not P.O. Box 1126  Erie, PA 16512 phone number, grade, and name of school or everyone seems to understand. MAIN OFFICE indication that he or she is home schooled. The abortion issue was never more 1625 West 26th St.  Erie, PA Essays can be e-mailed to Extended Hours January 5 to 21 [email protected] or mailed to the important than it was in the recent 10 AM to 5:30 PM - Monday through Friday presidential election, which pitted a militant — R EGULAR HOURS — Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation / 4800 abortion promoter, Barack Obama, against Wednesday 11 AM to 2 PM Jonestown Rd., Suite 102 / Harrisburg, PA Thursday 10 AM to 1 PM 17109. the McCain-Palin ticket, which strongly Other times by appointment embraced legal protection for unborn DOWNTOWN OFFICE High School Oratory Contest children. For this reason, People for Life Alternative Choices for Women High school juniors and seniors are took the unprecedented step of placing 10 1611 Peach St., Suite 321  Erie, PA invited to compete in the National Right to full-size billboards around the Erie area with (814) 464-0266 Open Monday through Friday - 9 AM to 5 PM Life High School Oratory Contest. the message, “Don’t support abortion with Contestants will prepare and deliver a your vote. Vote Pro-Life!” While our life informational demonstrations at 13 local five to seven-minute pro-life talk on abortion, billboards did not “save the nation” from a campaign events and four days were spent infanticide, euthanasia, or stem cell research. radically pro-abortion president, they did holding large pro-life banners along with Students from northwestern Pennsylvania carry the torch for common sense. McCain-Palin signs at two busy Erie-area (Erie, Crawford, Venango, and Mercer Special thanks are due to five individuals intersections, the Bayfront Parkway & West Counties) will compete in the regional contest who each paid the full amount for one of the 8th Street and Peach Street & Interchange conducted by People for Life in Erie on April billboards. Both your generosity and your Road. By the way, support from passing 18, 2009. The winner and first runner up will loyalty to proper pro-life priorities are an motorists was excellent. then have the option of competing in the state inspiration to all of us. Student Essay Contests contest to be held by the PA Pro-Life Federation in Harrisburg on April 26th. The Voter Education The deadline for PA Pro-Life Federation winner of the state contest will be eligible to During the election season, People for Student Essay Contest entries is March 1. Life distributed 200 Vote Pro- compete in the National Right to Life Oratory Life yard signs and 14,000 contest to be held in June in candidate comparison pieces 2009 PRO -LIFE DATE BOOK 2009 conjunction with the NRL showing the sharp contrast Convention in Charlotte, Jan. 6 First day of the 111th United States Congress between John McCain and North Carolina. Jan. 10 Erie March & Motorcade for Life - 11:00 AM, Perry Square, Erie Barack Obama. We also ran A student from Erie Jan. 12 Last day for Pro-Life Prayer Breakfast ticket sales a large, $2500 ad containing Collegiate Academy Jan. 17 Pro-Life Prayer Breakfast - 9:00 AM, Ambassador Conference Center the same candidate represented Pennsylvania in Jan. 20 Presidential Inauguration - The onslaught begins comparison piece in the Erie the National contest just a Jan. 21 March for Life buses leave Erie - 11:00 PM few years ago. Times-News on the Sunday Jan. 22 March for Life - Noon, The National Mall, Washington, DC before the election. Interested students (and Feb. 16 Regular Meeting - 7:30 PM, Main Office, 1625 W. 26th St. teachers) should contact Personal Sacrifice Mar. 16 Regular Meeting - 7:30 PM, Main Office, 1625 W. 26th St. People for Life for more Many personal sacrifices April 18 Northwest Regional High School Oratory Contest - Main Office, Erie complete information. on behalf of the unborn were April 20 Regular Meeting - 7:30 PM, Main Office, 1625 W. 26th St. made by local residents April 20 Last day to register before PA Spring Primary Election Presentations during the election season, all April 26 PA State High School Oratory Contest - Harrisburg Call to schedule a free in the effort to inform the May 10 Mother’s Day / Mother’s Day Carnation Project Overview of Abortion public about the candidates’ May 18 Regular Meeting - 7:30 PM, Main Office, 1625 W. 26th St. presentation in your sharply contrasting positions May 19 PA Spring “Municipal” Primary Election classroom or at your church. on abortion. There were pro- June 18-20 National Right to Life Convention - Charlotte, NC