Column: Stand Strong for Life

Statement

As a new father, I have watched my 10-week old son grow from his first sonogram picture to now exploring the world around him. My faith leads me to value all human life as sacred, from the moment of conception. I am committed to pro-life advocacy and I feel that it is my obligation to protect the rights of all of my constituents, born and unborn.

Parenthood has furthered my passion for life and my desire to protect and support new and expecting families.

I feel it is important to help expecting mothers understand the options for life, including adoption. We can act to assure women in need that they are not alone, and that they have a community of support. Even before the birth of my son, my wife, Monica, and I were active in supporting our community pregnancy help centers.

While visiting the United States in 1987, Pope John Paul II remarked "The ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless ones." There are few more vulnerable and defenseless than the unborn.

In the treatment of our fellow human beings, we should never choose what is convenient over what is right - or what is easy over what is ethical.

There can be great satisfaction in responding, with grace and respect, to the concerns of one who feels alone and afraid, especially during pregnancy.

Our country was founded upon the principle of life: our Declaration of Independence asserts that every person has an inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Founding Fathers wisely placed life first among these.

We, as a nation, should pray that all Americans, born and unborn, are blessed with the opportunity to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Source