In a time when the Pro-Life movement is so visible, upcoming leaders must be reminded by Pro-Life activists the value of innocent human life. The U.N. General Assembly has recognized the need to ban all human cloning by adopting a declaration urging the member states to do so. The U.S. has shared the anguish of Terri Schindler-Schiavo and her family as her estranged husband persists in removing Terri’s feeding tube. College students must educate themselves on these issues in order to effectively carry the message on campuses and shape the future. They have that opportunity through the Young America’s Foundation National Conservative College Student Conference. Texas Right to Life will again sponsor 20 students to attend this conference in 2005.
Please read this issue of the Pro-Life Update carefully to understand some of the challenges we now face and how you--an educated Pro-Lifer--can help advance the Culture of Life. Please share this information with your family, friends and church congregations. Make copies. Spread the news.
U.N. General Assembly Adopts Declaration Banning Human Cloning
On March 8th, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a declaration calling on member states to “prohibit all forms of human cloning inasmuch as they are incompatible with human dignity and the protection of human life” and to “adopt all measures necessary to protect adequately human life in the application of life sciences.”
Honduras sponsored this declaration, and the United States, Costa Rica, and Italy resoundingly supported the measure. The recorded vote was 84 to 34 (with 37 abstentions) in favor of the ban. A total of 90 countries supported the declaration, including 6 countries that missed the vote and asked that, for the official record, their votes be recorded as “yes”.
Jeanne E. Head, R.N., U.N. representative for National Right to Life, commented, “We are pleased that the U.N. has finally acted to protect human life by calling on member states to ban all forms of human cloning. Cloning and killing living human embryos to obtain their stem cells for experimentation is unethical and unnecessary. Adult stem cells are the only stem cells that have helped thousands of patients, including those with spinal cord injuries and diseases like Parkinson's, and new clinical uses expand almost weekly.”
Federal and State Legislation to Help Terri Schindler-Schiavo
The Incapacitated Persons Legal Protection Act, also known as the federal “Terri’s Law” was introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) and Representative Dave Weldon, M.D. (R-FL) introduced this bill to help the Schindler family gain access to the federal court to argue for the life of their daughter, Terri Schindler-Schiavo. This bill would allow a federal court hearing to review state court orders that deny food, fluid, or medical treatment necessary to sustain life.
"Congress can act to ensure a federal court hearing on whether or not Terri will be forced to die of starvation and dehydration," said Lori Kehoe, Congressional Liaison for NRLC’s Robert Powell Center for Medical Ethics. "A proceeding known as the 'writ of habeas corpus,' which is protected by the U.S. Constitution, has been used for centuries to grant a hearing to those whose liberty has been constrained by state courts in violation of the Constitution or federal laws."
Additionally, State Representative Dennis Baxley sponsored the Florida Starvation and Dehydration of Persons with Disabilities Act (HB 701), which was heard in the Health Care Regulations Committee. At the time of printing, the committee had voted in favor of this bill, and the measure is expected to be heard in the Judiciary committee.
Texas Right to Life Sponsors Students for Young America’s Foundation
The Young America’s Foundation (YAF) hosts the National Conservative College Student Conference each summer in order to equip students with conservative principles and assist them in bringing balance to campus debate. Texas Right to Life sponsors approximately 20 college students to attend this life-changing conference. YAF’s National Conservative College Student Conference will be held in Washington, D.C. during the week of July 31-August 6, 2005.
Texas Right to Life recognizes the importance of training future leaders; a strong education in Pro-Life issues and other policy issues yields responsible citizens who become leaders of the future. Each year we award scholarships and transportation so that college students may participate in the conference. Conference tuition and all travel expenses from Houston are part of the coveted scholarships granted by Texas Right to Life, including meals, dormitory accommodations, supplies, and resource material.
In addition to completing an application, students will need to submit a one-page essay explaining their interest in the conference and a description of any current campus activities or leadership positions. Texas Right to Life requires a $200.00 refundable deposit for each reservation no later than Friday, May 13, 2005. Please contact KSlade@TexasRightToLife.com by this deadline if you or your college student wish to learn more about this amazing opportunity. The application, deposit check, one-page essay, and an optional résumé should be sent to the attention of Kimberly Slade at our statewide headquarters by Friday, May 20, 2005.
You can learn more by visiting the YAF website or by calling 1-800-USA-1776.
