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State Delegate Promotes
Pro-Life License Plates
By Michael F. Flach
HERALD Editor
Virginia Delegate Dick Black has pre-filed a bill which would give Virginians the option to have pro-life license plates on their vehicles. The plates would have the words "Choose Life" along the bottom and the faces of children on the left side.
"It's a combination of raising money for adoption and providing encouragement to women to choose to give birth to their children and to give the gift of life," said Black, who is a member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Great Falls. "If we can encourage the sterilization of animals with license plates, we certainly ought to be able to encourage people to choose life for their children.
"The bill is designed to encourage adoption,"
he added. "It seems that
everyone who favors abortion rights says abortion
should be safe, legal and rare. But no one ever does anything to make it
rare. We think it's time we did something to make it more rare."
Black’s proposal is similar to a measure adopted earlier this year by Florida's legislature, but vetoed by Gov. Lawton Chiles, who died recently while exercising at the governor’s mansion. Pro-life supporters have vowed to raise the issue again next year, when Gov.-elect Jeb Bush takes office.
In Virginia, the proposal already is under attack from pro-abortion groups. Several lawmakers said they would oppose Black's plates, arguing the state shouldn't appear to back a side in a political debate as sensitive as the one over abortion rights.
The General Assembly will consider authorizing
the plates in the session
beginning in January.
The Office for Family Life of the Arlington Diocese is among several groups endorsing Black's effort.
"At a time when, more than ever, we see the impact of abortion on the very survival of the family, it's imperative that the Choose Life message reaches the ends of the Commonwealth," said Robert E. Laird, assistant director for Family Life.
Other groups expressing their support for the effort include the Knights of Columbus, the Christian Coalition and the Virginia Society for Human Life.
Gary Marx, executive director of the Virginia Christian Coalition, said the plates would spread awareness that adoption is an alternative to abortion. He said the license plate lends credibility to the message. "It provides public support for the important adoption message, which is so key," he said.
The annual fee for the plates is $25. Under
Black's proposal, for each fee
collected in excess of 1,000 registrations,
$15 will be paid to the state treasury and credited to a special non-reverting
fund known as the Choose Life Fund.
These funds would be paid annually to the locality
in which the vehicle is
registered and distributed to non-governmental,
non-profit agencies that
provide counseling and other services intended
to meet the needs of pregnant women who are committed to placing their
children for adoption.
No funds will be distributed to any agency that is involved or associated with abortion activities.
Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles has issued about 1.3 million specialty plates for about 150 causes and organizations. Some plates are used to raise money for charitable causes, such as sterilizing pets or saving the Chesapeake Bay, and sell for a $25 premium; others merely carry a message and cost $10.
Virginia pro-lifers who wish to support this unique piece of legislation should contact their state delegate and ask him/her to co-sponsor the bill and support it when it comes to the floor.
They can also contact Delegate John Rollison III (R-52nd District), chairman of the Transportation Committee, 13514 Minniville Rd, #202, Woodbridge, VA 22192; 703-690-4368; and ask him to support the bill and send it to the floor for a vote.
The American Life League in Stafford scheduled
a press conference Dec. 22 at the Reston Hyatt to announce the bill.
Copyright ©1998 Arlington Catholic Herald, Inc. All rights reserved.
This article was published in the Arlington
Catholic Herald,
200 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 607, Arlington, VA 22203; Vol 23, No 49;
dated Dec. 10, 1998.
E-mail:
letters@catholicherald.com
Fax: 703/524-2782;
Editorial: 703/841-2590;
Advertising: 703/841-2594;
Circulation: 703/841-2565
A note from the Web Master:
It is noteworthy and honorable that some folks are willing to stand up for a ban on Partial-Birth Abortion. Let us not forget that ordinary everyday Abortion is also murder. We must understand that murder is murder no matter the method. Because one method of abortion seems to be horrible does not justify the other methods. We should be horrified and sickened by any Abortion regardless of the method. The Fifth Commandment spells it out clearly: "Thou shalt not kill." A fetus is a person, a human being with a God given soul. Imagine the pain the Lord must feel when any Abortion occurs. Please contact both of your Senators and Representative, via letter or phone, to let them know how horrified you are that Abortions are legal and to stop Partial-Birth Abortions and all other Abortions as soon as possible. (It has become apparent that they do not respond to email therefore you will have more of an impact by writing or telephoning.)
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