Mass. Congressional Vote 0 - 9. Good News In-State!

H.R. 7 passed the U. S. House today by a vote of 227 to 188.  Sponsored by Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Dan Lipinski (D-Il.), the bill would codify the principles of the Hyde Amendment on a permanent, government-wide basis, applicable to both longstanding federal health programs and to the new programs created by Obamacare. Under the bill, health plans that cover elective abortions would not qualify for federal subsidies, although such plans could still be sold to those who wish to purchase them with personal funds.  Each of our Congresspersons voted to make each of us pay for abortion with our tax money.

Meanwhile, in the state, your calls are really working!

House Bill 3793 would make the Health Curriculum Framework the standard for all public schools.  The portions of the Framework dealing with sexuality are deeply troubling for parents. They would teach students as young as 14 how to obtain reproductive health services – contraception and abortion – without parental knowledge and may pave the way for eliminating parents' rights.  This bill seemed destined for an easy pass.  Because of your calls, it is  stalled.

Continue calling to tell your Representative to vote "no" on House Bill 3793.
For more information and for the phone number of your State Rep. visit our website, masscitizensforlife.org  Or call the State House, 617-722-2000 and ask for your Rep.

DOCTOR-PRESCRIBED SUICIDE:  Listed below are the names and phone numbers of the Public Health Committee members.  If you are a constituent please call their office, RIGHT AWAY, and let them know that you do not want H.1998 to get out of committee.

House members: Chair, Jeffrey Sanchez (617-722-2130),  Vice-Chair, Jason Lewis (617-722-2017),  Ruth Balser (617-722-2396),  Christine Canavan (617-722-2575),  Carolyn Dykema (617-722-2210),  Christopher Fallon (617-722-2430),  Denise Garlick (617-722-2070),  James Lyons (617-722-2014),  Keiki Orrall (617-722-2090),  Carl Sciortino (617-722-2013),  Cleon Turner (617-722-2090)

Senate members:  Chair, John Keenan (617-722-1494),  Vice-Chair, Marc Pacheco (617-722-1551),  Donald Humason (617-722-1415),  Joan Lovely (617-722-1410),  James Timilty (617-722-1222)

Your calls are very important.  We see these two bills stopped in their tracks in the Massachusetts legislature.  Please keep up your calls and get many others to call.  We can beat these bills! 

Anne

Massachusetts Citizens for Life Files Amicus Curiae Brief With Supreme Court on HHS Mandate

Boston, January 28, 2014: Massachusetts Citizens for Life, along with other groups, today filed an amicus curiae brief with Supreme Court in support of Hobby Lobby Stores and Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp.

According to the brief, "Our argument is from history: In the American legal tradition the English colonies that would become the United States of America used corporate charters, companies, compacts and contractual agreements for religious purposes and to guarantee the free exercise of religion. These legal arrangements were civil and lay or secular in character. Although historical analogy is necessarily imprecise, the best of our legal heritage favors constitutional or at least statutory recognition of religious freedom exercised by non-ecclesiastical corporations and associative entities."

Anne Fox, President of Mass. Citizens stated, "Having won a First Amendment case at the Supreme Court, FEC v. MCFL, we are honored to file this brief which we hope will help to restore religious freedom and the rights of conscience." 

 

Walk Baby! I asked the Walk Committee...

I know there are many of you who are planning to submit beautiful baby pictures but have not done so.  I asked the Walk Committee if we could extend the deadline so that your baby wouldn't miss out. The Walk Committee says "NO."  They have voting scheduled to start and need the pictures by then. Pictures must be submitted by Jan. 31, 2014, so you need to get going!  Babies must be 6 - 24 months now.  Pictures will become the property of Mass Citizens. We will again have online voting at our website, masscitizensforlife.org so that you and your family and friends can help the Walk Committee choose the Walk Baby. Submit pictures by replying to this email or mail to John Triolo at the address below. Remember, picture must be submitted by this Friday! Anne

Press Release: Massachusetts Citizens for Life files amicus curiae brief with Supreme Court on HHS Mandate

For Immediate Release                   Contact: Anne Fox, 781-449-1774 Boston, January 28, 2014: Massachusetts Citizens for Life, along with other groups, today filed an amicus curiae brief with Supreme Court in support of Hobby Lobby Stores and Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp. According to the brief, "Our argument is from history: In the American legal tradition the English colonies that would become the United States of America used corporate charters, companies, compacts and contractual agreements for religious purposes and to guarantee the free exercise of religion. These legal arrangements were civil and lay or secular in character. Although historical analogy is necessarily imprecise, the best of our legal heritage favors constitutional or at least statutory recognition of religious freedom exercised by non-ecclesiastical corporations and associative entities." Anne Fox, President of Mass. Citizens stated, "Having won a First Amendment case at the Supreme Court, FEC v. MCFL, we are honored to file this brief which we hope will help to restore religious freedom and the rights of conscience."

Assembly for Life - Delightful Success! More Buffer Zone News

The Assembly, "Massachusetts at the Supreme Court" was a huge success!  https://masscitizensforlife.org/2014-aseembly-for-life-recapitulation/
 
Attorney Fran Fox spoke about his role in winning FEC v. MCFL where the Federal Elections Commission took us all the way to the Supreme Court in their attempt to muzzle us.  In his own knowledgeable but easy way, Fran shared the ins and outs of the case.  He even read from the sheet containing the hand-written notes he argued to the justices more than 30 years ago.  People were charmed!  As they stood and clapped. I was waiting for cries of "encore."

Attorney Phil Moran gave us a blow by blow of what happened at the SCOTUS Buffer Zone arguments.  It was very interesting that some justices who are not our friends asked very good questions.  They got the lawyer representing the state to admit that trouble at the entrances of clinics years ago was caused by pro-abortion counter demonstrations.  Phil is optimistic.

The Treblemakers from the Montrose School, led by  Karen Demirjian, sang so beautifully that we could have listened to them all afternoon.  Rev Nicholas Granitsas and Deacon John Burkly opened and closed the Assembly with truly inspirational prayer.  Jaymie Stuart Wolfe was Jaymie Stuart Wolfe - the ideal emcee.

Rounding out the SCOTUS theme, we gave Clarke Forsythe's book, Abuse of Discretion, as a door prize.  It is the most thorough book ever written on Roe v Wade.  The current issue of MCFL News feature on it has taught us so much!

We are able to provide the Assembly, the Caucus, and all the other pro-life events we sponsor throughout the year because of your generous support.  Our year-end matching fund drive exceeded the goal.  If you were not able to participate or are able to help further, please consider donating now.   It is important to educate people and to keep the issue in the public eye, which is what these events do. 


Thank you for your support for life!

Anne

PS: There is word among the national media that the Buffer Zone decision may come much earlier than we thought - possibly as early as March.  We are following up on that. 

What We Are All About

	Barbara Lyons is the Executive Director of Wisconsin Right to Life.  She is also one of the national people who made our defeat of Question 2 possible.  Barbara has written the most amazing piece about abortion.  It will make you cry but it will hearten you so!  Anne http://www.nationalrighttolifenews.org/news/2014/01/remembering-gwen-and-the-millions-like-her/#.UuNA7Pso5ko

Thoughts For The Night Before

I saw this in the National Right to Life News and wanted to share.   Forty one years of fear Forty one years of lies Forty one years of greed Forty one years of indifference Forty one years of abandonment Forty one years of coercion Forty one years of violence Forty one years of secret Forty one years of denial Forty one years of questions Forty one years of broken promises Forty one years of empty arms Forty one years of self-hatred Forty one years of regret Forty one years of tears Forty one years of isolation Forty one years of fear Isn't it time to break abortion's vicious circle? Editor's note. Béatrice Fedor is a French woman who used to be Pro-Choice and is now writing a Pro-Life, Pro-Woman blog at 400wordsforwomen.com. Our MCFL Caucus is definitely on for tomorrow morning in the Russell Senate Office Building.  We are most grateful to the speakers.  Thank goodness many people got out of the state before the storm.  Anne

The March from Massachusetts

Well... many of our buses, trains, and planes started in time to beat the storm, albeit with longer travel times.  The Caucus is taking place.  Our amazing speakers are battling the weather in DC to get there. 

For those of us who had our planes/ buses cancelled, I want to remind you of three things as we wait for reports on the Caucus from Matt:

1. The March is being broadcast live all day by EWTN.  You can watch it streaming at http://www.ewtn.com/multimedia/live_player.asp?satname=domenglp&telrad=t001&servertime=20141101427

2. Be sure to save your blue Mass Citizens knitted cap for next year.

3. I want to share with you what we are working for.  Below is a picture of our new granddaughter being held by her big sister the day she was born, last Sunday, Jan 19th.

We'll be back to you soon with updates.

Anne

Assembly for Life, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014

Every year, January 22nd reminds each of us that we would like to do more to protect life. It is wonderful that we can witness for life right here locally at the Assembly for Life! This year's theme is "Massachusetts at the Supreme Court."  We will hear Attorney Fran Fox, who won our case when the Federal Elections Commission tried to silence us.  This was the most important election law case in the second half of the 20th century.  If we had lost, no pro-life groups would be able to publicize a candidate's record on the life issues. Attorney Phil Moran is one of the lawyers for the Buffer Zone challenge, McCullen v. Coakley, which was heard last week at the Supreme Court.  He will tell us what went on then and what it portends for the decision, which will come in early summer. Jaymie Stuart Wolfe is our amazing emcee.  The Treblemakers from the Montrose School will sing. That's Faneuil Hall, Jan 26th from 2-4pm.  I'm looking forward to seeing you!  Anne PS:  Pictures from MCFL Caucus in DC yesterday, http://masscitizensforlife.org/mcfl-causcus-in-washington-a-great-success/

More on the March

These articles have lots of good pictures of the March http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2014/01/photos_yesterdays_right_to_life_march_in_washington_dc.html http://www.nationalreview.com/slideshows/369196?slide=21 http://www.lifenews.com/2014/01/22/hundreds-of-thousands-of-pro-lifers-march-for-life-mourn-56-million-abortions/ Who knew?  Excellent piece by Brit Hume http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2014/01/23/brit_hume_the_moral_case_for_allowing_abortion_grows_ever_weaker.html President Obama http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/01/22/statement-president-roe-v-wade-anniversary

Walk Baby Contest - DEADLINE JAN 31!!

This year's Respect Life Walk to Aid Mothers and Children is coming!  The first order of the day is to choose the Walk Baby who will be the face of the Walk..  Your adorable little one, or another you know, would make a darling Walk Baby.  Pictures must be submitted by Jan. 31, 2014, so you need to get going!  Babies must be 6 - 24 months now.  Pictures will become the property of Mass Citizens. We will again have online voting at our website, masscitizensforlife.org so that you and your family and friends can help the Walk Committee choose the Walk Baby. If you know a family with a baby the right age, please tell them about the contest.  Jim says his granddaughter is going to win.  Let's give him a run for his money!  Submit pictures by replying to this email or mail to John Triolo at the address below. I know you look forward to seeing all the dear little ones, as do I.  Anne

Caucus Sounds Great

Matt reports from DC: We had about 50 people at the Caucus (less than the usual 400 but, considering the weather...) who came mostly by train.  Senator Markey's staff had made arrangements for the Kennedy Caucus Room.  They were very helpful during the morning. Here are the key points the speakers mentioned: Prof. Dwight Duncan spoke about religious freedom and the importance of repealing the HHS Mandate.  He has written an amicus curiae brief on the Hobby Lobby case.  Mass. Citizens has signed on to the brief. Mallory Quigley (Susan B Anthony List): "You cannot claim to be pro-women while trying to defeat abortion clinic regulations." "We cannot depend on abortion clinics regulating and inspecting themselves. We need regulations put in place to stop the appalling conditions in the abortion clinics." "At the end of the day, the question we need to impose on the other side and the media is how extreme do you have to be to put up with the existence of these clinic conditions to protect the right to abortion? It exposes the other side and dispels their claim they are pro-women." Prof. Hadley Arkes: "The pro-life movement can put itself in a strong position in 2014 and 2016 if we put the child who was there from the beginning in the forefront and work to protect them." "Massachusetts Citizens For Life has worked in a state that is so politically twisted, yet after 40 years, they are still saving lives." Greg Pfundstein (Patients rights Council): "When people advocate for the right to die, it soon becomes an obligation to die."  He then talked about the MA bill HB 1998 - that it does not require a physician to refer for an evaluation when the patient may be depressed.  It does not require any waiting periods, only one request for the poison pills is needed, and one of the witnesses can be an heir. Health care agents can make the decision for a patient's assisted suicide - even when the patient doesn't state they wanted it. He also said that palliative care is so advanced today that pain is no longer an excuse for assisted suicide.  He also said that suicide is no longer illegal. If someone wants to end their life, they have many means of doings so, but they want a more dignified way of doing it.  The problem is that they have to give very high quantities of pills to overdose the patient on poison. It is not a more dignified way of doing it. And of course, what about abuses? Those who are abused lose their autonomy. "If one person is protected by abuse, isn't it worth it to protect them from assisted suicide?" He also talked about the Vermont bill. He said the fact that Vermont passed assisted suicide isn't a reason to pass assisted suicide in Massachusetts, it is quite the opposite. The fact that assisted suicide was passed in Vermont and it was such a disaster is why we should not pass it in Massachusetts. Prof. Michael New:  Even Massachusetts is making a difference in the pro-life community. Massachusetts elected Scott Brown against all odds to try and defeat Obamacare, and the Democrats had to pull all their tricks to get it into law before he was installed into office. Massachusetts also defeated Question 2, which prevented assisted suicide from passing in other states.  Since 2000, the general social service surveys have proven that the youth are more pro-life than their elders.  When asked how we can get the youth more involved, Prof. New replied, "Apathy is our greatest enemy right now."  Attorney Carrie Severino (Judicial Education Project): She talked about the buffer zone and the amicus brief. She said based on the comments that were made at the Supreme Court, she wouldn't be surprised if they overturned the Massachusetts Law.  She said she wouldn't even be surprised if it came down to an 8-1 decision against it, but she is certain it will be at least a 5-4 against the MA law.  Attorney Mary Spaulding Balch (National right to Life Committee): We need to use words of compassion, but we need to use them in a way that advocates and protects the unborn. We need to use an incremental approach to defend life because that is what works and it is what the court will currently allow. We need to use strategy, and we need to use words carefully.  For LIFE, Matt Hanafin

TW3 - Your Very Successful Power Calls, SCOTUS, and Note-worthy Abortion Study

This was the week that was: I have to share with you excerpts from this letter from NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts to members around the state: "We are so close to passing a new bill so that students in Massachusetts have access to quality sex health education, but anti-choice legislators are trying to block it from getting a vote on the floor. We need your help now! Call out anti-choice lawmakers for blocking this commonsense bill. Call your state representative, Rep. (617) 722- today and ask them to support House Bill 3793, an Act Relative to Healthy Youth, so that young people are equipped with age appropriate, medically accurate sex education in Massachusetts. Anti-choice activists are hitting the phones hard. We cannot allow them to be the only voice in the conversation. Let's get loud! " Actually, House Bill 3793 would make the Health Curriculum Framework the standard for all public schools.  The portions of the Framework dealing with sexuality are deeply troubling for parents. They would teach students as young as 14 how to obtain reproductive health services – contraception and abortion – without parental knowledge and may pave the way for eliminating parents' rights. Be a good "anti-choice activist."  Tell your Representative to vote "no" on House Bill 3793. For more information and for the phone number of your State Rep. visit our website, masscitizensforlife.org Or call the State House, 617-722-2000 and ask for your Rep. It is not just the pro-abs who say your calls are working.  Legislators are saying so also!  Other groups oppose HB 3793 for other reasons but it is the pro-life calls that are being talked about! SCOTUS  We are really looking forward to hearing Carrie Severino at the MCFL Caucus on the 22nd in DC and Phil Moran at the Assembly on the 26th at Faneuil Hall.  After the arguments, the press called frantically for a short period of time.  Since Eleanor and the others were still in DC, I did the Emily Rooney "Greater Boston" show on WGBH and an interview with WPRO in Providence.  At WGBH it was obvious from all the warnings they gave me that they fully expected me to yell and scream and attack the person from Planned Parenthood.  The interviewer from Providence actually said "I don't think you, personally, want to kill anyone."  Here is the "Greater Boston" video: http://wgbhnews.org/post/abortion-protest-zones-and-free-speech This is a very helpful study presented on Wednesday by congressman Chris Smith.  One thing I am not sure about is whether they know which dysfunctional behaviors were already in place (which seems to be the premise) and which may have developed post-abortion.  Worth a close read. http://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF14A37.pdf Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn, a wonderful obstetrician and pro-life leader is going to be resign from the U. S.Senate.  He has a number of kinds of cancer for which he has been treated and will require extensive surgery.  He wants to arrange the schedule so there is time to elect a good person in his place.  Definitely a prayer matter. CALL TO OPPOSE HB 3793 IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY.  PLEASE GET OTHERS TO CALL.  You may leave a message over the weekend. Thanks, Anne

More Local Observances to Mark 41st Anniversary of Roe v Wade

I want to draw your attention to Holy Hours which are being held in most parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston.  If your church, school, organization, or other group, is sponsoring an event, please let us know so we can publicize.  Thanks,  Anne  http://www.bostoncatholic.org/uploadedFiles/BostonCatholicorg/Offices_And_Services/Offices/Sub_Pages/Pro-Life/Holy_Hour_for_Life/2014HHFLPilotList1-14-14.pdf?pid=16158

Carrie Severino on SCOTUS - #3

I was lucky enough to be on a conference call yesterday with Carrie Severino, who will speak at the MCFL Caucus in DC.  She put together the brief with testimony of post-abortive women who say they wish there had been someone outside the clinic. Carrie said the justices made the point that there are already federal and state laws against harrassing, "being in someone's face, etc."  Clinics can get injunctions against people who regularly cause trouble. The justices got Massachusetts to admit that they have never enforced any of these, that they just went directly to a draconian buffer zone.   Carrie explained that the law could have the purpose of blocking congestion or it could deal with the content of speech.  Since laws which would have solved the congestion problem were never enforced, then the law is meant to be content-based - clearly unconstitutional.   Justice Kennedy also got the state to admit that the congestion problems had arisen when pro-ab protesters arrived at pro-life protests and intentionally caused trouble.  Kennedy postulated that a group could intentionally cause trouble to get a law it wants. He continued in the same vein citing examples like strikers.  He said the law is content-based which is the state choosing sides. Carrie said that Chief Justice Roberts didn't speak.  It could be that he is still worrying about the image of the Court or it could be he is going to work on a broader consensus than the 5-4 for us, which seems pretty certain. I had thought that the court leaves decisions on controversial issues until the end of June and that this one should not be that controversial.  Carrie said the timing of the decisions depends on how long it takes the Court to make them. Here is the transcript: http://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/12-1168_8nk0.pdf Eleanor McCullen and the other plaintiffs have done a great service for this country! Anne

We Still Have Time to Call About House Bill 3793

According to the State House News, things got off schedule yesterday at the State House.  Legislators were concerned about the conviction of a fellow legislator and the Democrats arrived very late from an off-site meeting.  That means we still have time to call our Representatives.  If you have not called, please do.  Please also get at least one other person to call.  I am repeating the information. Linda Thayer, MCFL Vice-President of Educational Affairs, sends this urgent message: House Bill 3793 would make the Health Curriculum Framework the standard for all public schools.  The portions of the Framework dealing with sexuality are deeply troubling for parents. They would teach students as young as 14 how to obtain reproductive health services – contraception and abortion – without parental knowledge and may pave the way for eliminating parents' rights. We must flood our State Reps with calls!  Tell your Representative to vote "no" on House Bill 3793. For more information and for the phone number of your State Rep. visit our website, masscitizensforlife.org  Or call the State House, 617-722-2000 and ask for your Rep. We have heard from State Reps saying they have been inundated with calls.  Please keep it up. Thanks, Anne

It's Never Too Early to be Adorable!

This year's Respect Life Walk to Aid Mothers and Children is coming!  The first order of the day is to choose the Walk Baby who will be the face of the Walk..  Your adorable little one, or another you know, would make a darling Walk Baby.  Pictures must be submitted by Jan. 31, 2014, so you need to get going!  Babies must be 6 - 24 months now.  Pictures will become the property of Mass Citizens. We will again have online voting at our website, masscitizensforlife.org so that you and your family and friends can help the Walk Committee choose the Walk Baby. If you know a family with a baby the right age, please tell them about the contest.  Jim says his granddaughter is going to win.  Let's give him a run for his money!  Submit pictures by replying to this email or mail to John Triolo at the address below. I know you look forward to seeing all the dear little ones, as do I.  Anne

Phil Moran from SCOTUS #2

Phil just called.  He is jazzed!  Mark Rienzi did a brilliant job.  Justices Ginsberg and Breyer tried to give Mark a hard time and seem to be against us.  Justices Roberts, Scalia, Alito, and Kennedy seem to be with us.  Justice Thomas famously says nothing but was involved in the dissent in the Colorado case, so would vote with us.  Justices Kagan and Sotomeyer seem unknown except that Kagan said the law "troubles" her. Phil saw Bob Joyce, Rod and Jean Murphy, and Bridget Fay, who just emailed to say that Scalia kept correcting when they used word "protest" to say "counseling."  Outside the building afterwards sounded like a state fair.  Phil said everyone in the world wanted to talk to Eleanor. Phil says the transcript should be ready about 2:00pm this afternoon at http://www.supremecourt.gov/default.aspx. Click on "Oral Arguments," followed by "Argument Transcript" for McCullen v Coakley with today's date. We'll be hearing more as the day goes on.  You might enjoy this analysis from SCOTUSBLOG which provides some encouragement, http://www.scotusblog.com/2014/01/argument-preview-buffer-zones-and-free-speech/ Our thanks to Phil and Bridget! Anne

Phil Moran from SCOTUS, #1

Phil is the local lawyer on McCullen v. Coakley.  He just called from the Supreme Court.  He says it is very quiet.  At the moment (8:00am) there are a few cameras outside and not that many people inside.  That will change.  Each side has nine tickets.  The rest are first come, first served.  Bob Joyce and law students from BC drove down through the night to be first in line and will join the crowd trying to get in.  The arguments are from 10 - 11.  Then another case will be heard from 11 - 12.  No one is allowed to leave or make a call until 12, so Phil will call us then. Our side is argued by Prof. Mark Rienzi.  Many of you have heard him at MCFL Conventions and know that he is brilliant and also explains things very clearly.  We are in good hands. We'll be back shortly after noon.  Anne

EMERGENCY CALLS NOW!

Linda Thayer, MCFL Vice-President of Educational Affairs, sends this urgent message: "We have just learned that House Bill 3793 will be voted on today. This bill would make the Health Curriculum Framework the standard for all public schools.  The portions of the Framework dealing with sexuality are deeply troubling for parents. They would teach students as young as 14 how to obtain reproductive health services – contraception and abortion – without parental knowledge and may pave the way for eliminating parents' rights. We must flood our State Reps with calls!  They will vote any time after 11:00 AM, today, Jan. 15th. Tell your Representative to vote "no" on House Bill 3793. For more information and for the phone number of your State Rep. visit our website, masscitizensforlife.org.  Or call the State House, 617-722-2000 and ask for your Rep. Your call is vital to protect our children!" This is going to be one of those government tools to undo the good work of parents.  Please call ASAP!  Thanks to Linda and thanks to you!  Anne

Do You Want to do Something Nice for Valentine’s Day?

Valentine's Day is just a month away.  Won't you consider holding a Rose Drive at your church or another venue the weekend before?  The Rose Drive fundraiser is a key component of our yearly budget and it's easy!   We can walk you through the process if you've never done it before. The Rose Drive not only raises much-needed funds, it is also an easy way to witness to the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. If you belong to an MCFL Chapter and you already do a Rose Drive at your church for Mother's Day, please consider doing a neighboring church for Valentine's Day with your chapter members. Please contact Janet Callahan at jcallahan@masscitizensforlife.org or 617-242-4199 ext. 230 with any questions or to order the silk roses. Remember: Rose Drives save lives!

Almost 3/4 of Abortions Performed on Women Who Had Sex at Age 16 or Younger.

According to the Washington Enquirer, this Wednesday (the 15th), Cong. Chris Smith and Patrick Fagan of the Marriage and Religion Research Institute (which I think is affiliated with the Family Research Council) will present a new study on who has abortions. – Rather than the one-third of women commonly cited by abortion supporters as having obtained an abortion, the number is actually one-sixth. – Almost three-quarters of abortions are performed on women who had sex at age 16 or younger. – 40 percent of women who begin sexual intercourse very early (ages 12 to 14) have abortions. – There is no great difference by income status in the percentage of women who have abortions. The implications for "sex-ed" programs and the "they are going to do it anyway" mentality are truly earth shaking!  Leaders like the Clintons talk about making abortion rare.  Pro-abs talk about the difficult decision. We have always known it was best for people to wait for marriage, but here is whole new proof that, again, mother knows best. Thanks to the MRRI. Anne

Baruch HaShem (Thank God) and Other Excellent News

The Maimonides School in Brookline posted "Baruch HaShem (Thank God)" last night announcing that Caleb Jacoby, a junior at the school, had been found safe.  I know we all agree 100%!  Wouldn't hurt to keep the family in prayer a while longer. Last night we also received a ton of good news about the MCFL Caucus in DC before the March on the 22nd.   In his column on the Buffer Zone appeal, Jeff Jacoby wrote, "Stifling that freedom near abortion clinics can mean — as 12 women argue, from personal experience, in a compelling friend-of-the-court brief prepared by Carrie Severino of the Judicial Education Project — that individuals in a crisis pregnancy are denied essential information at the moment they may need it most."  This is one of the most powerful briefs in the case.  Carrie Severino has agreed to speak at our Caucus !  She'll bring us up-to-date on the SCOTUS hearings and their implications. Our dear friend, Prof. Hadley Arkes has a lot of other commitments on the 22nd but he let me know that he will definitely be at the Caucus. AND, Mallory Quigley and Billy Valentine from the Susan B. Anthony List will be there.  Mallory is an expert on practices, abuses, etc at abortion "clinics."  Her presentation will be very helpful for us on the Gosnell project. These wonderful speakers join Prof. Dwight Duncan, Prof. Michael New and Attorney Mary Spaulding Balch from the National Right to Life Committee.. I'll be sending you the full program shortly. The 22nd will be very exciting!  Anne

MCFL Assembly for Life - would you please...?

The Assembly this year is going to be awesome!

Fran Fox will tell us about the case he won for us at the Supreme Court, FEC v MCFL.  If we had lost that case, no pro-life groups could distribute information on the positions and voting records of candidates.  Just think how different election results would have been over the years if people voted not knowing about pro-life positions.  This is considered the most important election law case in the last half of the 20th Century.  And, possibly, Citizens United would not have come down if FEC v MCFL hadn't been there.

Phil Moran, one of the lawyers in the Buffer Zone Appeal (McCullen v Coakley) will be at the Supreme Court next Wednesday, the 15th, for the hearings.  We'll be forwarding to you his emails live from the Supreme Court.  After that day we will hear nothing until the case comes down at the end of May or June.  At the Assembly, Phil will be sharing with us the significant things that happen at the hearings, the nuances, and the little things that might mean a lot.

We are delighted to have Jaymie Stuart Wolfe, Emcee Extraordinaire, return to do her thing. The darling girls from The Montrose  Treblemakers will provide the music.

John has designed a great flier, http://masscitizensforlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Assembly-Flyer3.pdf

Please print out copies of the flier.  Post or leave them at church, your local library, supermarket, etc.  And have some with you to give your friends.  This is going to be one of those Assemblies that, afterwards, people will really mind having missed.

Thanks so much!

Anne

Jeff Jacoby's Son Missing - Prayers Needed

	We just heard from Red Mass Group that Jeff Jacoby's son, Caleb, who is 16, has been missing since Monday, http://www.redmassgroup.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=17603 Let's pray for Caleb and the Jacoby family. Anne