Pro-lifers scored a major victory in the Texas Legislature during the recent special session ending May 15 bypreventing state tax dollars from being used for research that involves the destruction of human embryos -- embryonic stem cell research and cloning. H.B. 153 was a massive bill that creates more than 60 new buildings on public universities. The initial version authorized and funded a $41,000,000 biomedical research facility at The University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston, where research on human embryonic stem cells and cloning was planned.
During House floor debate on H.B. 153 on May 11, 2006, the embryonic stem cell issue became very apparent. For example when Rep. Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) introduced a pro-life amendment to remove the Houston facility from the bill because that facility "brought several problems for members," embryonic stem cell advocates immediately protested. "As I understand it, the problem or one of the problems you are talking about is the [human embryonic] stem cell research issue?" asked Rep. Pete Gallego (D-Alpine). "Correct," replied Morrison. ". . . [T]here are members in this body who are opposed to [embryonic] stem cell research, right?" echoed Rep. Jessica Farrar (D-Houston) after expressing her support for it. To watch the archived video of the debate, click HERE and begin at "1:25". (The amendment passed on a nonrecord voice vote.)
The win -- the first ever on this critical issue EVER in Texas -- was sealed on the last day of the session, when the House voted (143 to 3) to concur with the Senate's pro-life amendments to H.B. 153. To view the record vote, click HERE.Without the support of the leadership in the Capitol -- (l. to r.) Governor Rick Perry, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, and House Speaker Tom Craddick -- this victory would not have been possible. Now that we have achieved a victory, please send a short email to each one expressing your appreciation. (Just click on each name.) Your message can thank them for supporting pro-life amendments to H.B. 153 that removed funding for research that destroys human embryos, in particular embryonic stem cell research and cloning.
The Texas Alliance for Life "Love Life" Walk for Life 2006 will be held on Saturday, June 10, in Austin and Saturday, June 17, in Georgetown. You can even walk on your own at any time. This wonderful two-mile walk-a-thon is fun and exciting, and it raises much-needed funds for pro-life activities throughout the state. Why not walk two miles to help protect innocent human life?
Click -HERE- for our 60-second radio ad.Please register as a walker TODAY and start getting pledges! Join other walkers who have already registered by clicking -HERE-. Can't walk on your own? Sponsor a registered walker with a donation. Click -HERE-.We have a special Walk for Life 2006 website that makes registering as a walker and signing up for sponsors very easy by clicking -HERE-. As always, the Walk for Life is fun for the whole family.Questions? Contact us at walk@texasallianceforlife.org or 512-477-1244.
The pro-life movement strongly supports stem cell research, so long as that research involves only adult stem cells and not human embryonic stem cells. Here's a comparison of the two kinds of stem cells.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) abruptly cut off more than $5 million in public funds awarded toseveral Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and redirected the funds to Planned Parenthood and other organizations
who previously did not qualify. The new law, Rider 81 of the DSHS appropriation, is authored by pro-life State Senator Bob Deuell (R-Greenville). The intent is to direct family planning funds to agencies capable of providing a wide and comprehensive range of health services so that family planning can be more effectively delivered along with other needed services to low income clients.
That law directs up to $10 million per year in family planning funds away from Planned Parenthood and conventional providers to FQHCs, which provide a wide and comprehensive array of health services. In addition to family planning, the list includes primary care, prenatal and perinatal care, well child services, and emergency medical services. FQHCs do not provide abortions. By contrast, Planned Parenthood provides a narrow range of services, almost exclusively family planning services and abortion. (Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in Texas.)The grants were awarded to the FQHCs in January and removed in May. "For these funds to be removed so quickly seems very suspicious," said Joe Pojman, Ph.D., Texas Alliance for Life's executive director. "The DSHS failed to give the FQHCs enough time to ramp up to their new level of services before redirecting their funds to the largest abortion provider in Texas."Want to help stop tax funding for Planned Parenthood? Sign and promote our "Petition Against Planned Parenthood." Click to download: 8.5x11 or 8.5x14. Or contact us at 512-477-1244 or info@texasallianceforlife.org for printed copies.The shift of funds does not involve the $2.5 million per year earmarked for pro-life pregnancy help centers and other agencies to be used to provide alternatives to abortion. Those funds are provided for under an entirely different law, Rider 50 of the Health and Human Services Appropriation.P.O. Box 49137 * Austin, Texas 78765 * (512) 477-1244 * TexasAllianceforLife.org
