One week ago, Wednesday, January 27th , was International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This date was chosen because it is the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Poland in 1945 where over a million people died.

It IS however, more than a little providential that this day of remembrance falls so closely on the heels of the anniversary of the beginning of our own holocaust here in the United States…the legalization of abortion in Roe vs. Wade. While we mourn the lives of the million people who were killed in the death camps, it’s equally important to remember the almost 58 million who have died here in the United States since 1973.

What makes the proximity of the dates even more providential is how the same illogic that was used to justify the murder of Jews in the 1940s is being used today by pro-abortion advocates to promote the genocide of the minority community. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, and many other pro-abortionists supported the idea of eugenics—the purification of the human gene pool, and argue even to this day that abortion is one way to do that. Perhaps that’s why almost 80% of Planned Parenthood facilities are so close to (if not in) minority communities. For more information about the black genocide, visit www.blackgenocide.org.

One week from today we head into another period of remembrance of our own holocaust here in the United State, 40 Days for Life. I encourage each of you to find a location near you at which you can participate here. Thank you for all you do to support choosing life!

Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards is featured in an article for the February edition of Esquire Magazine. Besides feeling the need to spend some time in a decontamination unit after reading the article, there are a few particular points of sadness.

In the article, Richards several times references highlights of her childhood and even states at one point “It was a pretty wonderful childhood”. While it’s good to know she had such a great childhood, as pro-life advocates, it’s sad to think of the MILLIONS of pre-born babies who won’t get to enjoy such wonderful childhood experiences.

Richards also reminisces about organizing migrant workers in Los Angeles and says the women she organized are the same ones who count on Planned Parenthood. What she doesn’t address is the history of eugenics her organization (particularly its founder Margaret Sanger) has and their role in wiping out generations of minority pre-born babies.

Finally, Richards talks about how pro-life efforts by Congress are simply designed to put women in their place. She is wrong again…the pro-life movement is about empowering women so they don’t think of their pre-born child as a burden and ensuring they are empowered to choose life.

Overall, this interview can engender feelings of disgust, anger, or sadness. All one can really do is pray for Miss Richards that she will see the errors of her way and become an advocate for choosing life.

Hello!  I thought I would take a minute and introduce myself as the new Education Director (hence chief blogger) for the PA Pro Life Federation.  Since you’ll be reading a lot from me, I thought it would be a good idea to know a little about me, my background, and why I’m pro-life.

First, a little about me…

I have a lot of titles, although the most important are “Father” to my two boys Russ (9) and Nathaniel (4) and “Husband” to my beautiful wife of 13 years Lisa.  We live in Mechanicsburg with our dog Odie (the REAL master of the house).  I am active in my church, Trinity United Methodist in New Kingstown), my son’s cub scout pack (Pack 180), a local nonprofit organization called New Digs Ministry that is committed to helping people who are rebuilding their lives by providing furnishings and household goods, absolutely free of charge.  I also do what I can to support pro-life candidates of all parties.

How I got here…

I grew up in a very conservative Christian household as the oldest of 4 (two brothers and a sister).  We were all homeschooled most of our early education, and I finished up at Harrisburg Christian School in Linglestown.  Growing up with that background, there was never any question in my mind of the definition of “right” and “wrong” or of when life began, but my first real exposure to the abortion issue was in high school when for our Social Studies class we had to write a research paper on the Roe VS. Wade decision from a judicial, moral, and ethical perspective.  I went on from there to college, first at Harrisburg Area Community College, and then at Bloomsburg University.  I have since spent my life in various professional roles, most recently running my own business doing communication and political consulting for various nonprofits and public figures.

Why I’m pro-life…

Most of it has to do with my religious background and beliefs.  I believe life begins at conception, and it deserves to be protected the whole way to natural death.  I also believe we have a moral and ethical, if not biblical, obligation to stand up and defend those who can’t defend themselves.  Now, as a father, I understand even better the miracle of life, and I feel a deep personal obligation to making this a better world for my boys…and to me that starts with making sure we choose life!

That’s enough about me for now.  I look forward to meeting each of you, and working with you in the weeks, months, and years ahead.  If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us either by email at lifelines@paprolife.com, or by calling us at 717-541-0034.  I hope you enjoy my future blog posts (which I guarantee won’t be this long) and I look forward to your feedback!

The following statement can be attributed to Michael Ciccocioppo, executive director of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, following today’s verdict in the murder trial of  abortionist Kermit Gosnell: 

“The Kermit Gosnell case is a tragedy on so many levels, not just for our Commonwealth but for our nation. Officials believe Gosnell actually killed hundreds of newborn babies and injured their mothers, but he destroyed most of the evidence.  These were heinous crimes and Gosnell had to be held accountable,” Ciccocioppo said.        

“For the sake of all Gosnell’s victims, let us never forget the rampant disregard for life that was allowed to continue for decades in our state. We hope that in the future politics will not stand in the way of protecting the health and safety of women and newborns. 

“In the wake of the Gosnell tragedy, Governor Tom Corbett and the state legislature took action to ensure that abortion facilities would be regularly inspected and would be subject to the same standards as outpatient surgery centers. 

“This is really the most that can be done under the tragic U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, which brought us abortion on demand and the unspeakable tragedy of Gosnell.  It’s time to take a second look at Roe—in memory of Gosnell’s victims,” Ciccocioppo added.