Pro-Life Update

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June 2006

The opinions of Americans today give great hope to the Pro-Life movement. More and more Americans continue to reject the abortion mentality while recognizing the destruction caused by it. Attitudes towards the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision have never been so close—almost equally split. Still, with such promising studies, we quickly realize that there are so many more battles to face—ones that are not nearly so public. The media has just recently started to cover end of life cases such as Terri Schiavo’s and now Andrea Clark’s in Houston. We must stay involved and continue to provide a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.

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 advance the Culture of Life. Please share this information with your family, friends, and church congregations. Make copies. Spread the news.

Andrea Clark’s Fight for Life
Texas Right to Life had been working with the family of Andrea Clark, a patient at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston, who was slated to have all life-sustaining treatment (including food and water) removed against her wishes on April 30th. This decision was made by Andrea's primary physician and then approved by the St. Luke's ethics committee (chaired by a prominent Houston abortionist). With mounting pressure from the public generated by Andrea's family and Pro-Life activists, St. Luke’s arranged to transfer Andrea to an acute care facility in Illinois rather than withdrawing care.

However, just before the transfer, St. Luke’s realized that the Illinois facility was not adequately equipped to care for Andrea. On Tuesday, May 2nd, the treatment team at St. Luke's convened to further discuss Andrea's condition and treatment plan. At this meeting, Dr. Matthew Lenz, a physician with privileges at St. Luke's, transferred Andrea's care into his own hands in order to continue her treatment with hopes of rehabilitating her.

On May 7th, Andrea Clark passed away in peace. Andrea was not in pain but had developed a severe infection, and her fragile body could no longer fight. Dr. Lenz reported that Andrea's heart naturally stopped beating. Andrea received the Catholic sacrament of Last Rites one day before her death. Andrea’s family released the following statement:

Andrea passed away peacefully a little before 3pm today, with her family and her friends at her bedside. We love her so very much and we are going to miss her terribly. We hope that the battle that we fought for our sister will bring to light and bear witness to the horrible acts committed in the name of ethics in hospitals across the state of Texas…

Andrea's condition was very fragile, and she required a lot of specialized care, yet her condition was no justification for speeding her to her death by abruptly ending treatment and care that has been working. Even though some would have considered Andrea's life futile, her life had tremendous value—even during the last week of her life. The outpouring of love, prayers, and support for Andrea and her family galvanized activists to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Regrettably, Andrea's family is not alone; Texas Right to Life receives calls from families thrust into this situation regularly. Texas Right to Life is working to change the futility laws in Texas so that families will not face such difficult battles while trying to care for their loved ones. The families who have been through this exhausting process have lovingly volunteered to assist by sharing their tragic stories.

“We’re never going to stop working to change the law,” said Andrea’s sister, Lanore Dixon. “We hope that the battle we fought for our sister will bring to light and bear witness to the horrible acts committed in the name of ethics in hospitals across the state of Texas.”

Harris Poll Reports Lowest Level Ever of Support for Roe v. Wade
In a poll of 1,016 U.S. adults between April 4 and 10, 2006, Harris Poll found that Americans are almost equally split as to whether they support Roe v. Wade. Harris Poll has been conducting polls regarding support of Roe v. Wade since the court case in 1973. They have consistently proven themselves partisan and pro-abortion; however, their latest headline gives much hope and reassurance to the Pro-Life movement: “Support for Roe vs. Wade Declines to Lowest Level Ever, Says Harris Poll; U.S. Adults Almost Equally Split: 49 Percent in Favor, 47 Percent Oppose”.

When examining the Harris Poll questions, it is clear that the effects of Roe are seriously misrepresented; the questions state three times that Roe legalized abortion in the first three month. (Roe v. Wade’s counterpart, Doe v. Bolton¸ ensured that abortions could be performed throughout the entire pregnancy for any reason.):

In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that states laws which made it illegal for a woman to have an abortion up to three months of pregnancy were unconstitutional, and that the decision on whether a woman should have an abortion up to three months of pregnancy should be left to the woman and her doctor to decide. In general, do you favor or oppose this part of the U.S. Supreme Court decision making abortions up to three months of pregnancy legal?

Even with such a misleading question, the response shows a shift towards Life. As a clear testimony to the progress of the Pro-Life movement, the respondents were virtually split as to whether or not they supported Roe v. Wade. 49 percent of the respondents supported the 1973 decision, while 47% did not. This shows a decline in support for abortion on demand since 1998 (57%) and 2005 (52%).

Another question asked respondents if they support abortion “in all circumstances, some circumstances, or in no circumstances.” 24 percent said they support abortion in all circumstances, 20% in no circumstances, and 53% in some circumstances. As we have found in the past, most people who support abortion in some circumstances would only allow for the procedure when the mother’s life is in danger, or in cases of rape or incest. These instances account for only no more than 7% of all abortions. Therefore, 73% of respondents would most likely not support abortion in most circumstances.

National Right to Life notes, “No one poll says everything or stands in isolation from other data. That's what makes Harris's numbers so encouraging. A strongly pro-abortion polling firm finds continuing, ongoing erosion in support for the abominable Roe v. Wade decision.”

The Pro-Life movement still has much work to ensure that all people throughout the world are welcomed into Life and respected. If you would like any additional information on the topics discussed above, please send me a note or log onto www.TexasRightToLife.com. If you ever have questions about any Pro-Life issues, please be sure to let me know.

Yours for Life,

Dr. Joseph M. Graham
President