Category Archives: Statewide WVFL News

Letter to the Editor – Vote YES on Amendment 1

The following Letter to the Editor was submitted to, and accepted by, the Charleston Daily Mail. The editor responded saying they will publish the letter, and even better, that the paper will endorse a “YES” on Amendment 1, using the letter’s explanation as to why. The author, Mary Tillman, serves on the state board of West Virginians for Life and is an officer in the WV For Life – Harrison County Chapter. For more information and helpful resources, visit http://yeson1wv.com.

October 5, 2018

Letters to the Editor have been appearing in newspapers around the State, making extreme claims about what the effect of Amendment 1 will be if passed.

It’s time to get the facts. The most common claim is that Amendment 1 will “make abortion illegal in West Virginia.” FALSE. Abortion is legal in West Virginia NOT because of our state Constitution, but because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision (Roe v. Wade, 1973) that decided there was a so-called “right” to abortion under the Federal, or U.S. Constitution. We cannot change that by amending our state Constitution.

Secondly, the claim is made that “women will die” if Amendment 1 passes, because (they say) there are “no exceptions for rape, incest or to save the life of the woman.” FALSE. It is true that the language in the Amendment itself does not spell out those particular exceptions, but if passed, a previous WV law, still on the books, will come back into force. That law, found at WV Code Section 9-2-11, allows for taxpayer funding of abortions in cases of medical emergency, reported rape and incest, fetal anomaly, and threats to the life of the mother.

Finally, the claim is made that the “state has no business in the exam room or the bedroom.” To that I would say, the state then has no business in my wallet to pay for something that I, and millions of others in this country, believe is the taking of innocent human life. The U.S. Supreme Court itself decided in Harris v. McRae (1980) that states are not required to pay for abortions using tax dollars, and only 17 states in the United States still do so. Let’s join the majority of the country and get out of the business of paying for elective abortions. Vote “YES” on Amendment 1.

Mary H. Tillman, J.D.
Lost Creek, WV

Free video resource for churches to show around Oct 15 for annual “Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day”

Just a quick reminder of a free resource available for churches for the upcoming annual “Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day,” as we posted previously.

Churches: for use on ‘Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day’ – free from WV For Life

West Virginians For Life encourages churches in WV to show this video on or near October 15, for the annual “Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day” and to consider receiving an offering for West Virginians For Life, to help continue the crucial work being done. Thank you! PLEASE LIKE & SHARE!

Vote YES on Amendment 1 Nov. 6, billboards, updates, info, and more!

Yes on 1 Billboards around WV

Please consider joining with our West Virginians For Life county chapters and their supporters/donors as we “foot the bill” for installing large interstate billboards around the state, encouraging West Virginians to vote “YES on Amendment 1” on November 6 to stop tax-payer funding of elective abortions!

Below is a mock-up of a Yes on 1 Billboard about to go up for the month of October, sponsored by the Harrison County Chapter, the Doddridge County Chapter, and the Marion County Chapter. It is be located on Interstate 79 in the heavily-trafficked area near/south of Fairmont, WV, getting lots of eyes along the Clarksburg-Bridgeport-Fairmont-Morgantown corridor.

Also, below is an actual photo of a Yes on 1 Billboard that can already be seen in Morgantown, WV at the intersection of Rt 119 and the Old Cheat Road. This one is sponsored by West Virginians For Life / Mon County chapter. WVU game-day traffic coming in from the I-68 Airport exit will see it on home game Saturdays.

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Utilize the “YES on 1” Facebook profile frame! 

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Above is an example of the “YES on 1” frame that you can use with your Facebook profile picture. Just go to your wall, hover over your profile picture, click on Update Profile Picture, and select Add Frame. Then type “Yes on Amendment 1” in the search field and choose the frame at the top of the list. Next select how long you want it to run at the bottom (the one above was customized to run through November 7) and finally click Use Picture Frame. Let’s all do this and show our solidarity.

Share this “YES on 1” Video

Here is a direct link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd7RsvtObZE

“YES on 1” Merchandise CRITICALLY LOW

WVFL needs donations (tax deductible) to buy more Yard Signs, t-shirts and more!

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Click here to donate!

It’s suggested that you call 304-594-9845 to see if we have what you need before you order it.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE YESON1 STORE!

CLICK HERE FOR A FACT SHEET

CLICK HERE FOR A MINI-FACTSHEET

For a more detailed explanation of Amendment 1, visit the  YESon1wv.com website.

Like and SHARE posts from the Vote YES on 1 Facebook page.

2018 WVFL State Convention

WVFL State Convention is October 20 – Register Early!
URGENT: Ad deadline is Monday, September 17.

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Print out the above flyers from the event web page and post wherever possible.

Nancy Valko, RN, ALNC (Advanced Legal Nurse Consultant) at www.valkolnc.com will be the keynote speaker. She writes and speaks on medical ethics around the US from both personal and professional experience. Also speaking will be National Right to Life Political Director Karen Cross and WVFL President Wanda Franz, Ph.D.

Click here for ad contracts, sponsor forms, registration forms, and the flyers pictured above. 

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You MUST BE REGISTERED TO VOTE if you want to vote “YES on 1.” Register NOW by clicking here (or on the graphic above). Registration deadline is October 16.

Churches: for use on ‘Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day’ – free from WV For Life

West Virginians For Life encourages churches in WV to show this video on or near October 15, for the annual “Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day” and to consider receiving an offering for West Virginians For Life, to help continue the crucial work being done. Thank you! PLEASE LIKE & SHARE!

WVFL Press Release re: Two Pro-Life Bills Signed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2017

For more information contact:
Karen Cross, WVFL Legis. Coordinator (202) 200-1973
Wanda Franz, Ph.D., WVFL President (304) 599-0768

WEST VIRGINIA GOVERNOR JUSTICE SIGNS TWO PRO-LIFE BILLS

West Virginia becomes the 31st state to enact a meaningful Parent’s Right to Know Act. HB 2002, was successfully amended in the Senate and passed on the last day of the session by a 28-6 vote. The House concurred a few hours later by a vote of 82-17. The bill closes a loophole in the 1984 law that allowed for a second doctor to okay a minor girl’s abortion without her parent’s knowledge. The bill still allows for a judicial bypass in abusive situations. Governor Jim Justice approved the bill on April 26.

“We are pleased that the governor agreed with the huge bipartisan majority that parents have a right to know when their minor daughter is having an abortion, an invasive surgical procedure,” said Karen Cross, West Virginians for Life Legislative Coordinator. She continued, “Children don’t understand the long-term emotional, psychological, and physical consequences of making this major life-changing decision.”

Many of these laws have been in effect for decades and have been upheld in the courts. As the Supreme Court has observed, “[t]he medical, emotional, and psychological consequences of an abortion are serious and can be lasting; this is particularly so when the patient is immature.” [H.L. v. Matheson, 450 U.S. 398, 411 (1981).]

Additionally, the Telemedicine Bill, HB 2509, was signed by the governor on the same day after having passed unanimously in the Senate on Tuesday, April 4, and in the House on March 6. The House vote to concur three days later was nearly unanimous.

HB 2509 permits a physician to prescribe certain controlled substances when using telemedicine technologies. Because the Telemedicine Bill would have expanded abortion throughout the state, it was amended in the Senate to prevent long-distance prescription of drugs for the purpose of causing abortion. According to news stories, abortion proponents made it clear that they wanted to use the bill as a means of expanding abortion in West Virginia.

“Because it is irresponsible to prescribe chemicals long-distance for women to abort without medical supervision, West Virginians for Life (WVFL) is elated the bill passed as amended.” said WVFL President Wanda Franz. “These women need the presence of a doctor because chemical abortions trigger an especially intense experience of child birth, which can include severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea with high amounts of bleeding. Women have been traumatized by the experience of delivering their own dead baby. Deaths have occurred world-wide from severe infections, which may be due to suppression of the immune system by the chemicals used in the abortion.”

Both bills will take effect 90 days from passage.

Press Release

For immediate release:
March 6, 2017

For More Information:
Karen Cross, Legislative Coordinator 202-200-1973
Mary Anne Buchanan, Comm. Dir. 304-216-6573

 

PRO-LIFE LEADERS CARMICHAEL AND ARMSTEAD TO ADDRESS PRO-LIFE RALLY CROWD 

Supporters of West Virginians for Life (WVFL) will gather at the Capitol on Monday, March 13, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for annual Pro-Life Rally Day with the main event, a rally, at noon.

West Virginians for Life is pleased to announce that Senate President Mitch Carmichael and House Speaker Tim Armstead will address the crowd as well as Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and Secretary of State Mac Warner. National Right to Life Political Director/WVFL Legislative Coordinator Karen Cross will speak as well as WVFL President Wanda Franz, Ph.D. Pro-life legislators will be introduced and petitions presented during the rally. Additionally, the winners of the Teen Essay Contest will read their winning entries. Other highlights include special music from the Re:Claim Worship Team, singer Frank Tettenburn, and the annual Prayer Processional with walkers carrying crosses.

West Virginians for Life is working to pass HB 2002/SB 424, the Parents Right to Know Act, which would close loopholes in existing state law that allow abortionists to perform secret abortions on underage girls. These loopholes not only interfere with the rights of parents, they put girls in abusive situations at greater risk.

“Parental involvement laws have been incredibly successful in 30 states across the nation.  These laws have not only reduced adolescent abortion rates in the given states from 13 to 19 percent but have also reduced adolescent pregnancy rates,” said WVFL President Dr. Wanda Franz. Furthermore, she said, “They also eliminate the risk for the numerous health problems that are known to follow abortion, especially in teens.”

 

West Virginians for Life, the state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee, is the state’s largest pro-life group with more than 30 local chapters. West Virginians for Life works through legislation, education and political action to protect those threatened by abortion, infanticide and euthanasia.

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LifeChain – Pro-Life Event at New Pointe, Clarksburg, WV – Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016 – from 2:00 to 3:00pm

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When: Sunday, October 2, 2016  – from 2:00 to 3:00pm

Where: Beside Emily Drive (in the grassy, public right-of-way) at East Pointe shopping center,in Clarksburg, WV.

Who: All Pro-Lifers from both Doddridge County & Harrison County. (This event is sponsored by both counties’ chapters of West Virginians For Life.)

What & Why: This is a public prayer vigil in which Pro-Life people line up alongside a major road, holding signs in defense of preborn babies, and praying for an end to abortion. It lasts about 1 hour, and is a powerful and effective peaceful demonstration that greatly affects the public’s awareness of the issue of abortion.

Note: Feel free to bring baby strollers, lawn chairs, umbrellas, water bottles, etc.

More info:

Some 60 million rejected unborn children have perished by abortion in the United States since 1973. Through the use of science and ultrasound, we know that these children died horrific deaths; none died peacefully during these procedures. Last year, West Virginia passed (for the second time, and then overrode the governor’s second veto of) a ban of abortions after 20 weeks because we know that the unborn child suffers excruciating pain during the abortion procedure. Undercover YouTube videos prove that the barbarous Planned Parenthood turns a continued profit by the selling of aborted babies’ body parts. This year, West Virginia banned the gruesome practice of ripping apart living, preborn babies, limb from limb (which law required the overriding of another veto by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin). We are slowly turning the tide!

The Harrison County & Doddridge County chapters of West Virginians for Life are again organizing participation in the 29th annual National Life Chain that will take place nationwide on October 2, 2016. There will be 12 other life chains participating throughout West Virginia.

Life Chain is a one-hour (60-minutes) silent prayer chain and public witness against abortion. Christians will stand up and pray on behalf of our voiceless preborn citizens and seek God’s divine intervention for the healing of our community and nation and the ultimate end of abortion. This must be done humbly in the true spirit of II Chronicles 7:14.

Because prayer is our most essential weapon, we respectfully ask that you and your congregants join us for these 60 minutes. Please mark this date—October 2, 2016—on your church calendar and help us build a devout prayer vigil that God can use to change hearts and save lives and families in our area.

All participants in this Life Chain will stand beside Emily Drive (in the grassy, public right-of-way) at East Pointe shopping center. Parking is available behind Chick-Fil-A (at Kohl’s). It will be on Sunday, October 2, 2016 from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm. We will carry signs that read, “Lord, heal our land,” “Pray for an end to abortion,” and “Abortion kills children.” They will be provided for all participants (signs are given out near Chick-Fil-A, and received there for return afterward as well). We welcome any concerns or questions. Feel free to contact us. Also, take note of our websites: harrison.wvforlife.com and doddridge.wvforlife.com