By Dave Andrusko
Whatever your takeaways from the January issue of National Right to Life News, I want to hear them. How else can I gauge if we are meeting your needs for loads and loads of information that (we hope) we’re communicating in a readable, thoughtful manner? Please drop me a line with your thoughts so far to daveandrusko@gmail.com.
This was the largest edition in a long time—48 pages—but we had a lot to cover,
On page one; we announced that David N. O’Steen, Ph.D., who has led the organization as executive director since 1984, has stepped down effective December 31. Scott Fischbach, who has served as executive director of National Right to Life’s Minnesota affiliate, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, became the new executive director as of the first of the year. Both are very talented individuals. The direction of NRLC will continue to be in extremely capable hands.
Also on page one was a story by Jennifer Popik, JD, director of federal legislation. The day before the January edition was published the House of Representatives, now controlled by pro-life Republicans passed two pro-life measures.
The first was the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act which passed by a vote of 220-210. All Republicans voted in favor and all but one Democrat opposed the measure. One Democrat voted present. The second was a resolution condemning violence against prolife pregnancy care centers, pro-life groups, and churches. That passed 222- 209. All Republicans voted in favor, and all but three Democrats opposed the measure.
On page three, Carol Tobias, our president, encouraged us to “Celebrate Life!” She quoted the late Pope Benedict in a speech he delivered to the General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life in 2007. “L]ife is the first good received from God and is fundamental to all others; to guarantee the right to life for all and in an equal manner for all is the duty upon which the future of humanity depends.”
Think about that for a minute, she wrote. “The future of humanity depends on the guarantee of the right to life for all and in an equal manner for all.”
On page four, Dr. O’Steen wrote about “Our Multi-Generational Miracle.” He looked back to all the effort that culminated in the reversal of Roe and looked forward to offer ideas about the future direction of our Movement.
Dr. Randall K. O’Bannon, our director of Education & Research, is everywhere in the January issue. He writes about the abortion pill, the latest number of abortions through the end of 2022, and “Measuring the impact of Dobbs in the coming years.”
Karen Cross, our Political Director, writes about “New Faces on Capitol Hill: A Spotlight on New Members Challenging Stereotypes and Standing for Life.” This “new crop of leaders is bringing fresh energy to Capitol Hill for the battles ahead and challenging many preconceived notions about pro-life members of Congress,” Cross writes. “They bring with them compelling personal stories and experiences and unique backgrounds.”
There are many other extremely interesting and relevant stories. We’ll write about them on Wednesday. See you then!