TN: Winner from NE TN represents state at national contest...wants to change the world.

Johnson City Teen Wins Pro-Life Speech Contest, Wants to Change the World

Melissa Temple NASHVILLE--16 year old Melissa Temple is passionately pro-life and not afraid to speak up for her convictions.  "I want other teens to know that one person can make a difference and that one voice can change the world," Temple says.  On Saturday her enthusiasm and speaking skills combined to make the Johnson City teen winner of the 13th annual Tennessee Right to Life Oratory Contest for High School Students, one of the largest such competitions in the nation.  "I've always been pro-life for as long as I can remember," says Temple who was born and lived in Cape Town, South Africa before moving with her family to Johnson City. "In 9th grade I became passionate about the cause of life after studying the issue and learning more about the humanity of the unborn," she said.  Temple then entered the local Right to Life speech contest in Northeast Tennessee and went on to win the state finals in both 2011 and 2012.  Due to age restrictions, this is the first year for Temple to represent Tennessee at the national finals to be held in Washington, D.C. later in June. "Once my interest was piqued there was no stopping me," a joyful Temple explained.  "After my first participation in 2010 I was more determined than ever to come back." The oldest child of David and Susan Temple, Melissa has four younger siblings, is home-schooled, and attends Heritage Baptist Church in Johnson City.  Other winners of the state contest include Benjamin Borck of Lebanon, Joshua Jackson of Nashville, and Abigail Kouns of Knoxville, all of whom received cash prizes from Tennessee Right to Life and financial scholarships from Aquinas College in Nashville, a lead sponsor and host for the annual competition. "It is a joy to host this competition each year," said Sister Elizabeth Anne, VP of Academic Affairs for Aquinas. "Hearing these students gives me hope that there is still good left in our youth...and the future of the pro-life movement looks bright!"   Melissa Temple, Benjamin Borck, Joshua Jackson, Abigail Kouns Late last month, the Tennessee State House officially recognized the Tennessee Right to Life student contest with passage of HJR 1133, an honorary resolution commending the more than 1,000 students who have participated since 2000.  "One of the most important things we can do as pro-life legislators is to encourage our young people to stand for life," said state Rep. Kevin Brooks of Cleveland, Tennessee.  "I am very proud to have brought this resolution forward in support of Tennessee's pro-life movement and, especially, our pro-life youth," Brooks said.

TN: Sign saves baby's life...victim of past forced abortion celebrates this save....

This weekend I helped with the TN state oratory contest as a room moderator. I always enjoy listening to the teens original speeches on the life issue. Another volunteer in attendance was  Judy Charest. I have heard her testimony many times but each time I hear something else that stands out.  

Judy's heartbreaking testimony is of being forced as a 16 year old in 1972  to under a late  salt saline solution abortion by her step father is very moving .  She describes that her life following the forced abortion spiraled out of control and was self destructive in many ways. After years of therapy she wanted to do something to honor  the life of the son  she lost on that fateful day.  Read her  amazing  story here.


Never active in pro life  matters previously she found TN Right to Life by surfing the Internet and emailed a question that ended up being answered by the president of TN RTL. This led to a meeting and subsequent discussions and the end resulted in a plan of action for her to become involved...in a public way that could honor the brief life of her son she named David and  give him a voice.

She decided to lobby with TN RTL for a bill mandating  every abortion facility post a sign  in the waiting area  advising that it was illegal in TN for  anyone,  regardless of age,  to be forced to have an abortion against her will. This has always been the law but women and girls are not informed of this since informed consent is not a law in TN. Post abortive women have stated  they have been forced to make an abortion decision by their boyfriends, parents or husbands.  The abortion industry fought against this simple act of informing women of their rights  showing how prevalent it is and potentially cuts into their profits.

It certainly was a bold step to share what had been a family secret before legislators and committee members but with each step Judy became bolder and stronger. The bill became law in  2010.  Judy became vigilant in walking into abortion mills to see if the sign was properly displayed. One such facility under observation was the Women's Center in Nashville that is located just three doors down from a pregnancy resource center.   So what good does one sign do??

Just last week a young girl was brought to the Women's Center to have an abortion against her will by her mother. She thought she had no rights as a minor but saw the sign informing her of her rights under the law. She got up and ran out of the center to speak the the people praying outside. She wanted help and they directed her to the pregnancy resource center up the street. There she was able to receive and see a free ultrasound  of her baby boy. She was also able to find out about resources available to her in choosing life for her baby. 


Judy had the honor of reporting that this one sign resulted in giving this baby boy  a voice.....and through him  her son's  voice will be heard.

TN: Landmark Session for Pro Life bills.....

 From TN Right to Life... this is remarkable and shows that being focused and not giving up brings results. I never thought I would see the day that the TN senate was down to two committed pro abortion votes!!This also shows that elections have consequences and to the pro life advocates who say we should not be involved in politics.... I say we must be involved because the culture of death is involved.  

It also shows the commitment to the culture of life...how many lobbyists for Planned Parenthood labor for free?? I can tell you...nada! Thanks Karen for your selfless  and consistent stand.

Landmark Session for Pro-Life Tennesseans

When the Tennessee General Assembly adjourns later this week, it will close what has been a truly historic legislative session for the pro-life cause.  On Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon, pro-life state Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) successfully passed two priorities for Right to Life supporters:  the requirement that abortion providers have admitting privileges at a licensed hospital (SB 3323) and the broadening of the state's longtime Unborn Victims of Violence Act (SB 3412), ensuring that every unborn child is considered a person when the victim of criminal assault or murder.

Senators voting in support of both pro-life bills include: Lt. Gov. Ramsey, Barnes, Beavers, Bell, Burks, Campfield, Crowe, Finney, Ford, Gresham, Henry, Johnson, Kelsey, Ketron, Massey, McNally, Norris, Overbey, Roberts, Southerland, Stewart, Summerville, Tate, Tracy, Watson, Yager (26).  

Voting pro-life for admitting privileges (SB 3323): Herron.

Voting pro-life for Unborn Victims Act (SB 3412): Berke and Faulk. 

Voting pro-abortion on admitting privileges: Berke, Harper, and Haynes. 

Voting consistently pro-abortion: Kyle and Marrero.  

   

Earlier in this session legislators also banned the use of webcam internet hookups for dispensing abortion drugs, gave final legislative approval to SJR 127 placing a proposed pro-life constitutional amendment on the ballot for 2014, and worked with the Governor to administratively defund Planned Parenthood's abortion facilities of tax dollars in Tennessee. Additionally, the state House passed HR 110 recognizing the work of life-affirming pregnancy resource centers which offer confidential care and counsel throughout the state.

"Tennessee Right to Life thanks the members of the 107th General Assembly for moving the pro-life agenda forward in such a profound way," said Brian Harris, the organization's president. "We are grateful to pro-life legislative leadership, our bill sponsors and the supermajorities who voted the will of their constituents for the protection of abortion-vulnerable women and their unborn children." 

Harris also acknowledged the work and fortitude of the organization's volunteer lobbyist, Karen Brukardt. "For the past 11 years Karen has dedicated herself to doing everything possible to ensure passage of SJR 127 so that Tennesseans can decide for ourselves what state laws will be on the fundamental matter of life and death," said Harris.  "The successful passage of SJR 127 and other protective policies are the fruit of Karen's hard work and Tennessee Right to Life is indebted to such a committed advocate," Harris said.

Please thank members of the Senate who voted to protect abortion-vulnerable women and unborn children.

TN: Not one murder but two....pregnant woman murdered

 From: TN Right to Life...

While police continue searching for their killer, the recent murders of Brittany Caroline Eldridge and her unborn child could be the first cases prosecuted under Tennessee's recently expanded Unborn Victims of Violence Act.  As passed in May, HB 498 / SB 633 establishes that unborn children at any age of gestational development may be legally considered victims of assault or homicide.  Previous Tennessee statute only recognized unborn victims after the age of viability, generally considered to be 24-25 weeks.

  

Local newspaper accounts had reported that the Knox County District Attorney's office was "waiting on an autopsy to verify whether or not the infant was viable in order to ascertain if there would be one or two homicide prosecutions."

Tennessee's new law, however, is very plain and specifically states that when a defendant "commits a homicide or assault against a pregnant woman, the woman's fetus, regardless of viability, is also considered a victim of the offense."

Sponsored by Rep. Joshua Evans (R-Greenbrier) and  Sen. Mae Beavers (R-Mt Juliet), the policy change was signed into law by Governor Haslam and took effect on July 1 as Public Chapter 408.  As such, Tennessee joined 26 other states which define the killing of an unborn child at any stage of gestation as a form of homicide. 

Studies conducted about violence against pregnant women including those conducted in Maryland, Illinois and New York found that homicide is the leading cause of death among pregnant women.  The growing violence against pregnant women prompted Tennessee legislators to consider the legislation that would recognize the lives of unborn children assaulted or killed in the commission of a crime as well as that of the mother.

TN:PP went to the Supremes to protect Tennesseans from this smiling babe..

 Perhaps I am prejudiced but I think this is the best looking Choose Life plate out there. So you pay a little extra for this....see what your donation can do! This plate is celebrating 5 years of being on the road.  It was a long hard road to get there ..PP and ACLU fought all the way to the Supreme Court to protect Tennesseans from this smiling babe ....

Tennessee’s Choose Life Plate Provides Hope, Protects Life

Alone, confused, and scared are just some of the feelings experienced by a woman who finds out she is pregnant unexpectedly.  Thankfully, throughout Tennessee, life-affirming pregnancy support centers offer hope, options and resources to women and girls in need, due in part, to drivers displaying the Choose Life specialty license plate. Since becoming available at county clerk offices in November 2006, more than 37,500 Choose Life plates have been purchased in Tennessee making it one of the state’s best-selling specialty tags. Most importantly, almost $600,000 has been raised by the plates to support life-saving agencies and projects designed to increase awareness and resources for at-risk women, children and families facing unexpected or difficult pregnancies.

In practical terms, the Choose Life plate proceeds represent funds used to positively promote adoption in our communities and to strengthen programs of privately funded non-profit pregnancy centers which exist to provide confidential support, counsel and resources at no cost to women in crisis.

Consider “Tracy,” a single mother of two who was a victim of domestic abuse. Upon learning that she was pregnant with her second child, Tracy believed that an abortion was her only alternative.  Instead, through the practical assistance of a local agency supported by Choose Life plate funds, Tracy has been able to escape her dangerous home life and gain the needed support and encouragement to care for herself and both daughters.  “I look at my baby and know that she is a miracle,” Tracy shares readily with anyone who asks about her life and decision to parent. “It’s not easy but I thank God for directing me to people who cared about me, my circumstances and my baby,” Tracy says.

For “Abby,” a billboard funded by Choose Life plate proceeds was the means of finding the help she needed to continue her pregnancy. “I suppose at the time I was ambivalent,” Abby explains.  “I didn’t really want an abortion but I didn’t know how I could care for a baby either.” It was during this critical period that Abby left a fast food restaurant and found herself staring straight into a sign advertising the services of a life-affirming pregnancy center located just doors away.  “From the minute I walked in the door I found compassion and care,” says Abby, “The decision was mine but it was easier to make knowing that I wouldn’t be alone and that help was just a phone call away.”

As Tennessee Right to Life and pro-life advocates throughout the state celebrate the fifth anniversary of Tennessee’s Choose Life plate, the political debate and court challenges surrounding its enactment hold little importance to women such as Tracy and Abby.  More significant to them, and hundreds of other Tennessee women served by plate proceeds, is that in communities all across Tennessee, help and hope exists to ensure that everyone has the resources, encouragement and support necessary to choose life.

Written by: Mrs. LaMarche is an adoptive mother, a longtime volunteer at Hope Resource Center in Knoxville and a Board member for Tennessee Right to Life.  For more information regarding Tennessee’s Choose Life plate visit ChooseLifeTN.org or call toll free 1-877 CHOOSE LIFE.

Memphis....its not fair and now wants 2nd chance at getting tax $$

Barry Chase CEO can't stop whining and complaining and stomping his feet until he gets his way. 

Christ Community Health Services scored higher than Planned Parenthood  in their ability to supply the needed services for family planning and was  awarded the Title X money.  But fair is fair right? Not when it comes to PP. 

They convinced the Shelby County Commision to hold off a final decision and give PP another chance to make its case. The vote to give them a 2nd chance was along party line 6-4 with Democrats siding with PP.

Tell us again Barry how you lose $$ on family planning!!

"  In response, Tennessee Right to Life called on (Governor) Haslam to keep his campaign promise not to fund Planned Parenthood if elected to office. ACTION: Contact the Shelby County Commission "

TN RTL uncovers that tax $$ pays community educator/lobbyist...

Well this is one interesting post and a good catch. Just imagine the if tax dollars were subsidizing pro life lobbying.  This points out that money is fungible and tax dollars going to  pay salaries of community educators. This is beyond the pale. How would you feel if you knew that your tax dollars paid more than 50% of the Salary for Planned Parenthood's "Community Educator?"

The following description is currently posted on an internet job search webpage.  Kayce Matthews, the contact for more information, is a Planned Parenthood employee whose salary is subsidized by your tax dollars.  Note that in addition to providing birth control information and coordinating teen outreach,  the advertised position requires an ability to "plan and execute grassroots actions as political/lobbying actions."  Is this how our elected officials intend for your tax dollars to be spent under the guise of so called 'family planning?' EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COORDINATOR About the Job Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee External Affairs Coordinator Full-time with benefits. Responsible for promoting PPMET services within the community and furthering the mission of PPMET through: * Providing sexuality education and training to meet the needs of the community. * Overseeing all aspects of the FYI peer education program. * Organizing / scheduling volunteers for special events and projects. * Working with dept. to plan and execute grassroots actions as political / lobbying actions. * Assisting in planning and producing events. Requirements: Bachelor degree in Education, Counseling, or related field, or equivalent experience. Experience in teaching and/or group facilitation, ability to work with diverse populations. Good rapport with teens. Grassroots organizing and exper. with volunteers ideal. Strong self-management skills. Please send resume with cover letter by Fri., June 24 to Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee, Attn. Kayce Matthews, Education Department, 50 Vantage Way, Suite 102, Nashville, TN, 37228. EOE.   Notice that in documentation provided to pro-life state legislators by the Tennessee Department of Health, 55% of Ms. Matthews' Community Educator salary was funded by contracts with the Tennessee Department of Health. It's time to end Planned Parenthood's shell game! End tax funding of the radical pro-abortion organization now. Please contact Governor Haslam immediately urging him to direct his Commissioner of Health, Susan Cooper, to take every action necessary to persuade the Davidson and Shelby county health departments to accept the entire contracts for 'birth control' services in order to prevent tax dollars from being disbursed to Planned Parenthood affiliates in Memphis and Nashville. Email Governor Haslam Phone: 615.741.2001

NRL:Tennesseans to decide in 2014 whether State Constitution guarantees a right to abortion

By Dave Andrusko

After more than a decade of work by pro-life Tennesseans, Senate Joint Resolution 127 will be on the November 2014 statewide ballot. SJR 127 returns authority for abortion regulation to the people of Tennessee and their state legislators and reads as follows:
”Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother.”

SJR 127 is necessary because of a radical 4-1 ruling by the Tennessee Supreme Court in 2000 which wrongly claimed as “fundamental right to abortion” in the Tennessee Constitution.  As a result, common sense pro-life protections were immediately stripped from state law books including informed consent for women considering abortion, a 48 hour waiting period and requirements that second trimester abortions be performed in equipped and regulated hospitals rather than abortion facilities.

This 2000 ruling was subsequently used to justify striking down the Tennessee law which had required licensure, inspection and regulation of abortion facilities the same as other outpatient surgical facilities.
“The (state) Supreme Court’s decision, even though the word abortion is not in the constitution, found it in there after 200 years. We’re putting the constitution back to where it was before the liberal Supreme Court found abortion in the constitution,” said Rep. Bill Dunn, R-Knoxville.

Without legislative passage of SJR 127  now—and public approval in 2014— pro-life Tennesseans will continue to be unable to pass pro-life protections being enacted by other states around the nation.  For example, without SJR 127 there can be no required ultrasound provisions for abortion vulnerable mothers, no ‘women’s right to know’ laws, no meaningful regulation of abortion facilities in Tennessee.
Additionally, existing protections in Tennessee such as parental consent and ban on use of tax dollars are also at risk of being struck down as violating Tennessee’s judge-created “fundamental right to abortion.”

Part of the reason the fight went on so long is that “Tennessee’s amendment process requires a resolution to win approval by majority votes in one two-year term of the state legislature, then by two-thirds majorities of both legislative chambers in the following two-year term before it can be sent to a statewide referendum at the next gubernatorial election,” according to  Richard Locker, a reporter for the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
“It won Senate approval earlier this year and passed the House today on a bipartisan 76-18 vote – 10 more votes than required in the 99-member House,” he added.
SJR 127 must win voter approval by a majority of those voting in the governor’s election on the same ballot to become part of the Constitution.

Life News: Tennessee Abortion Amendment Gets Boost From 2010 Election

Tennessee Abortion Amendment Gets Boost From 2010 Election

by Steven Ertelt | 
Washington, DC | 
LifeNews.com | 11/9/10
7:13 PM

The amendment pro-life groups have fought for to limit the reach of a pro-abortion state Supreme Court ruling received a boost last week after legislative gains in the 2010 state elections.

The amendment is necessary because the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled 4-1 in 2000 that the state constitution allows unlimited abortions. It is necessary, pro-life advocates say, to be able to pass laws to limit and reduce abortions.

The ruling claimed the Tennessee Constitution contains a fundamental abortion right even broader than Roe v. Wade or the federal constitution and it resulted in the striking down of numerous pro-life Tennessee laws that were helping women and limiting abortions.

“Simply put, passage of pro-life SJR 127 was a key issue in many state House races across Tennessee, especially in rural areas where pro-life candidates defeated longtime incumbents,” Tennessee Right to Life president Brian Harris told LifeNews.com. “In a battle that began in 2001, many of these incumbents initially opposed SJR 127 but had recently begun to vote in favor of the pro-life resolution in order to diffuse a powerful campaign issue.”

He said some of the legislators who were defeated were those who backed the amendment but used every procedural and amendment tool in their arsenal to weaken or kill it.

Only candidates pledging to actively support passage of the resolution were endorsed by Tennessee Right to Life PAC and 73 of 81 endorsed candidates won their races. That includes a number of sincere pro-life Democrats who have assisted since 2000 in helping to move the resolution forward for a public vote, Harris said.

If passed by the Tennessee state House and state Senate in the upcoming session, SJR 127 would be placed on the ballot for approval by Tennesseans during the next gubernatorial election in 2014. Proposed amendments in Tennessee must be passed by two consecutive general assemblies, the second time by a two-thirds supermajority.

TN abortion owner flaunts law in TN and SC

From TN Right to Life:
Longtime abortionist Gary Boyle lives in Northeast Tennessee where he and business partner Wesley Adams, along with their wives, own and operate the Bristol Regional Women's Center, an unlicensed abortion facility. The couples also own and operate similar abortion facilities in both Nashville and Charleston, South Carolina. For many years Drs Boyle and Adams have considered themselves above God's law as they have promoted and participated in the killing of thousands of unborn children while harming their vulnerable mothers and families.

The Boyles and Adams families have also placed themselves above statutory law as they continue operating facilities which do not meet the same health regulations as other outpatient clinics. Tragically, Boyle went so far as to challenge this commonsense state law requiring that abortion facilities be licensed, insured and inspected the same as any other ambulatory surgical center in Tennessee 

Relying on the deadly precedent in the Tennessee Supreme Court's 2000 ruling which established a 'fundamental right to abortion' in the Tennessee Constitution, abortionist Boyle and his attorney, Thomas Jessee, won their lawsuit against the Tennessee Department of Health and, unbelievably, do not have to abide by the same health and safety laws as other surgical facilities!

According to news reports, Dr. Boyle was arrested October 2 after pointing a loaded gun at pro-life protesters participating in a peaceful vigil in front of his Charleston abortion facility. The handgun held 15 rounds and Dr. Boyle was charged by local police for having illegally pointed the weapon at peaceful protesters. The incident is similar to one documented by Nashville pro-life advocates in February of 2010, in which Boycle (pictured above ) after the incident in which he brandished a  weapon to a pro life supporter outside of his Women's Center.

Unfortunately, Dr. Boyle has been released on $25,000 bond and is free to continue his campaign to eliminate as many unborn children as possible for as much money as possible. But clearly Dr. Boyle has less and less peace about the gruesome practices which have financially enriched his family while leaving a poverty of heart, soul and spirit.

Proud to be from TN....Abortion is not healthcare

Kudos to Karen Brukhardt, Brian Harris and company....
The Senate did not put up as much of a fight as I expected.  Could they be getting the message...TN is a pro life state. 

 Nashville, TN (LifeNews.com) -- A bill in the Tennessee legislature has gone further than any other across the country that would make it to the first state to opt out of some of the abortion funding in the new health care law President Barack Obama signed into law.
The Tennessee state House has approved legislation to have the state opt out of using state tax money to pay for abortions in state health care exchanges and, today, the state Senate followed suit.
Voting 27-3, senators showed how state residents strongly oppose taxpayer funding of abortion as a bipartisan majority of lawmakers voted against abortion financing. That came after the state House voted 70-23 for the measure.
SB 2686 strictly limits the use of public funds in health exchanges mandated by the new federal health plan.
The language of the measure states: "No health care plan required to be established in this state through an exchange pursuant to federal health care reform legislation enacted by the 111th Congress shall offer coverage for abortion services."
Tennessee Right to Life worked feverishly for passage of the measure and informed LifeNews.com of the victory.
Representative Hill, the sponsor of the measure, talked about it before House passage.
"The state has to take action on it to opt ourselves out of it so our tax money isn't used for (abortion),” he said previously. “I feel it is extremely necessary because ... we can continue to ensure our Tennessee tax money does not go to fund abortions at the federal level."