Bill: H.3697, the "Right to Life Act of SC"
Where: Room 511, Blatt House Office Building
SC State House complex
Columbia, South Carolina
When: Thursday, February 14, at 9:00 AM
Legislative body: Constitutional Laws Subcommittee of the SC House Judiciary Committee:
Today's Public Hearing on the Right to Life Act of SC lasted from approx. 9-10 AM. Speakers included South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster, four pro-life/anti-abortion speakers, and two pro-child-murder speakers. Time expired before all those wishing to speak were afforded an opportunity, and so there may be another hearing scheduled for additional public input.
Legal Opinion (2005) of South Carolina Attorney General on the Right to Life Act of SC
"Accordingly, it is our opinion that the Right to Life Act is constitutional."
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/Westlaw_Document_15_03_35_5392471.doc
Where: Room 511, Blatt House Office Building
SC State House complex
Columbia, South Carolina
When: Thursday, February 14, at 9:00 AM
Legislative body: Constitutional Laws Subcommittee of the SC House Judiciary Committee:
Today's Public Hearing on the Right to Life Act of SC lasted from approx. 9-10 AM. Speakers included South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster, four pro-life/anti-abortion speakers, and two pro-child-murder speakers. Time expired before all those wishing to speak were afforded an opportunity, and so there may be another hearing scheduled for additional public input.
Legal Opinion (2005) of South Carolina Attorney General on the Right to Life Act of SC
"Accordingly, it is our opinion that the Right to Life Act is constitutional."
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/Westlaw_Document_15_03_35_5392471.doc
South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster appearing before the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee, February 14, 2008, reasserted that the Right to Life Act of South Carolina is constitutional, but also said that if applied to abortion, the outcome would be dependent upon the ruling of the US Supreme Court.
The four pro-life/anti-abortion speakers were:
- Mr. Johnny Gardner, dir., Voice of the Unborn
- Mr. Bob Slimp, minister, former Army chaplain
- Mr. Charles Butler, pastor, Souls Afire Baptist Church
- Mr. Steve Lefemine, dir., Columbia Christians for Life
The actual bill on the Con Laws Subcommittee agenda was H.3697, a later revision of H.3284.
The prepared statement given to Con Laws Subcommittee members applies to both H.3284 and H.3697, as was explained to the Con Laws Subcommittee members present.
H.3284
www.scstatehouse.net/sess117_2007-2008/bills/3284.htm
H.3697
www.scstatehouse.net/sess117_2007-2008/bills/3697.htm
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Columbia Christians for Life
P.O. Box 50358, Columbia, S.C. 29250 * (803) 765-0916 * http://www.christianslifeandliberty.net/
“… I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
P.O. Box 50358, Columbia, S.C. 29250 * (803) 765-0916 * http://www.christianslifeandliberty.net/
“… I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
Public Hearing, Constitutional Laws Subcommittee, SC House Judiciary Committee
Right to Life Act of SC "Personhood" Bill - H.3284
Thursday, February 14, 2008, 9:00 AM: Room 511, Blatt Building, State House complex, Columbia, SC
Statement by Steve Lefemine, dir. Columbia Christians for Life:
( to be posted at: www.ChristianLifeandLiberty.net ('RTL Act') and www.RighttoLifeActofSC.net )
Good morning Mr. Chairman and members of the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee. My name is Steve Lefemine and I am director of Columbia Christians for Life. I ask you today to ESTABLISH JUSTICE for the 500 plus pre-birth children who will otherwise likely be murdered by surgical abortion here in SC this next month, as they have been, each and every month, month after month, year after bloody year, let alone perhaps multiple times that number by chemical abortion, by favorably passing H.3284, the Right to Life Act of SC "Personhood" Bill, as it is presently written, with no amendments, out of committee as soon as possible. From 1973 to 2006, over 324,000 pre-birth human lives were destroyed by surgical abortion alone here in our state, and the DHEC figures show statewide increases for 2005 and 2006. Their blood cries out from the ground for God's vengeance, and He is bringing His just judgment upon us, all of us, and this land, for the shedding of their innocent blood. America as we know it will be destroyed if we do not stop this innocent bloodshed. In your folders are pictures of the victims of this slaughter, which you have the legal authority to bring to an end.
This is the fourth time this bill has come before this Subcommittee since it was first introduced in 1998, 10 years ago this month. There were hearings in 2001, 2004, and 2005. In March 2005, the SC Attorney General issued a written legal opinion stating the bill was constitutional on its face, although if applied to the matter of abortion, it would have to be adjudicated, which would come as no surprise. In April 2005, the bill was amended on the full House floor by former member Rep. Rivers, to include an "exception" for rape victims. As I wrote in memos yesterday, please pass this bill out of this subcommittee as it was passed out of subcommittee and the full Judiciary Committee in 2005, i.e., without any exceptions, such as the Rivers amendment.
The key legal issue presented in the very text of Roe, necessary to unravel the whole Roe framework, is to statutorily vest legal “personhood” at fertilization for ALL human beings, with no "exceptions." This would satisfy explicitly the Roe formula written 35 years ago. Exceptions to "personhood" are unconstitutional.
In your folders I have provided copies of excerpts from Roe v. Wade, as I did with yesterday's memos. Specifically, quoting, with word inserts bracketed, from the text of the 1973 Supreme Court decision, it states:
“[Texas] argue[s] that the fetus is a “person” within the language and meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment… If this suggestion of personhood is established, the [pro-abortion] case, of course, collapses, for the fetus’ right to life would then be guaranteed specifically by the [14th] Amendment.”
Clearly, the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision itself is stating that if legal "personhood" for the unborn is established, then the pro-abortion legal argument "collapses." With "personhood" there never would have been legalized abortion under Roe v. Wade. But, tragically, Texas did have an “exception” which undermined their entire “personhood” argument. Justice Harry Blackmun wrote: [emphasis added]
“[ Footnote 54 ] When Texas urges that a fetus is entitled to Fourteenth Amendment protection as a person, it faces a dilemma. Neither in Texas nor in any other State are all abortions prohibited. Despite broad proscription, an exception always exists… But if the fetus is a person who is not to be deprived of life without due process of law, and if the mother's condition is the sole determinant, does not the Texas exception appear to be out of line with the Amendment's command? ...”
Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973): http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=410&invol=113
So there it is, in the text of the Roe decision itself, "exceptions" to legal "personhood" are unconstitutional. As common sense should tell us, either a human being is a "person" or they are not. Either ALL pre-birth human beings are legal "persons" at fertilization, or they are not. There can be no "exceptions" to fetal "personhood."
The Right to Life Act of SC "Personhood" Bill, H.3284, would ban all legalized child-murder-by-abortion, because the SC State Constitution, in Art. I., Sec. 3, already protects legal ‘persons’ from being deprived of life without due process of law, and the RTL Act of SC "Personhood" Bill would, inarguably, place all pre-birth human beings in the same protected status. Personhood state-level constitutional amendments are currently being pursued in Georgia, Colorado, and Montana. The understanding of "Personhood" is growing around America.
Lastly, many Americans are deeply disturbed about two seemingly unrelated issues, namely the ongoing War in Iraq, and the Invasion of our country by 12-20 million illegal aliens. Yet, in God's economy, these problems are connected to the shedding of innocent blood. The Bible makes clear that Foreign Invasion and War are two of God's "end-game" judgments on wicked nations that shed innocent blood.
Read 2 Kings 24:1-4.
In the Name of Messiah, King of all earthly kings, I call on you to pass this bill into law without further delay. If we will repent of this great national, corporate sin, and crime against humanity, then perhaps God will, by His Mercy and Grace, spare this nation from more calamity, and from His Great Wrath and Judgment.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
HISTORY OF "RIGHT TO LIFE ACT OF SOUTH CAROLINA":
The Right to Life Act of SC "Personhood" Bill was first introduced in the SC House in Feb 1998 (www.scstatehouse.net/sess112_1997-1998/bills/4558.htm), and was also first introduced in the SC Senate in Feb 1998 (www.scstatehouse.net/sess112_1997-1998/bills/1060.htm).
The first public hearing was in 2001, when it failed at the House Subcommittee level. The next hearing was in 2004, when it passed the House Subcommittee, but then failed at the full House Judiciary Committee.
In April 2005, the bill (H.3213) passed the full SC House on Second Reading ( 95Y-18N ) for the first time on April 13, 2005 ( www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/hj05/20050413.htm ), albeit with a fatal flaw rape exception amendment, and on Third Reading ( 91Y-10N ) on April 14, 2005 ( www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/hj05/20050414.htm ). Any "exceptions" to legal "personhood" fatally undermine the legal concept of "personhood" as contained in the SC Constitution, and in the US Constitution, in the 5th and 14th Amendments. The bill (H.3213/S.111) was given two hearings in a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee in May 2005 (for the first time on the SC Senate side), but no action was taken. No hearings or further action took place in the 2006 Session.
The SC House (H.3284) and SC Senate (S.313) bills were re-filed in 2007, but no hearings took place in either the SC House or SC Senate in 2007.
Go to homepage of http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/ , click on "RTL Act of SC" page for history of bill's progress since April 2005. Also, go to: http://www.righttolifeactofsc.net/
2005/2006 Session
Go to homepage of http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/ to hear these audio files of the testimony and discussion in committee meetings conducted in April/May 2005:
SC Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, May 18, 2005 - S.111/H.3213
Audio (36:09) - Public hearing, no debate or vote
SC Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, May 4, 2005 - S.111/H.3213
Audio (40:50) - Public hearing, no debate or vote
SC House Judiciary Committee, April 5, 2005 - H.3213
Audio (38:33) - Following debate, bill passed favorably by vote of 15 - 5 (roll call)
www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/bills/3213.htm
www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/bills/111.htm
Legal Opinion (2005) of South Carolina Attorney General on the Right to Life Act of SC
So there it is, in the text of the Roe decision itself, "exceptions" to legal "personhood" are unconstitutional. As common sense should tell us, either a human being is a "person" or they are not. Either ALL pre-birth human beings are legal "persons" at fertilization, or they are not. There can be no "exceptions" to fetal "personhood."
The Right to Life Act of SC "Personhood" Bill, H.3284, would ban all legalized child-murder-by-abortion, because the SC State Constitution, in Art. I., Sec. 3, already protects legal ‘persons’ from being deprived of life without due process of law, and the RTL Act of SC "Personhood" Bill would, inarguably, place all pre-birth human beings in the same protected status. Personhood state-level constitutional amendments are currently being pursued in Georgia, Colorado, and Montana. The understanding of "Personhood" is growing around America.
Lastly, many Americans are deeply disturbed about two seemingly unrelated issues, namely the ongoing War in Iraq, and the Invasion of our country by 12-20 million illegal aliens. Yet, in God's economy, these problems are connected to the shedding of innocent blood. The Bible makes clear that Foreign Invasion and War are two of God's "end-game" judgments on wicked nations that shed innocent blood.
Read 2 Kings 24:1-4.
In the Name of Messiah, King of all earthly kings, I call on you to pass this bill into law without further delay. If we will repent of this great national, corporate sin, and crime against humanity, then perhaps God will, by His Mercy and Grace, spare this nation from more calamity, and from His Great Wrath and Judgment.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
HISTORY OF "RIGHT TO LIFE ACT OF SOUTH CAROLINA":
The Right to Life Act of SC "Personhood" Bill was first introduced in the SC House in Feb 1998 (www.scstatehouse.net/sess112_1997-1998/bills/4558.htm), and was also first introduced in the SC Senate in Feb 1998 (www.scstatehouse.net/sess112_1997-1998/bills/1060.htm).
The first public hearing was in 2001, when it failed at the House Subcommittee level. The next hearing was in 2004, when it passed the House Subcommittee, but then failed at the full House Judiciary Committee.
In April 2005, the bill (H.3213) passed the full SC House on Second Reading ( 95Y-18N ) for the first time on April 13, 2005 ( www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/hj05/20050413.htm ), albeit with a fatal flaw rape exception amendment, and on Third Reading ( 91Y-10N ) on April 14, 2005 ( www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/hj05/20050414.htm ). Any "exceptions" to legal "personhood" fatally undermine the legal concept of "personhood" as contained in the SC Constitution, and in the US Constitution, in the 5th and 14th Amendments. The bill (H.3213/S.111) was given two hearings in a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee in May 2005 (for the first time on the SC Senate side), but no action was taken. No hearings or further action took place in the 2006 Session.
The SC House (H.3284) and SC Senate (S.313) bills were re-filed in 2007, but no hearings took place in either the SC House or SC Senate in 2007.
Go to homepage of http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/ , click on "RTL Act of SC" page for history of bill's progress since April 2005. Also, go to: http://www.righttolifeactofsc.net/
2005/2006 Session
Go to homepage of http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/ to hear these audio files of the testimony and discussion in committee meetings conducted in April/May 2005:
SC Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, May 18, 2005 - S.111/H.3213
Audio (36:09) - Public hearing, no debate or vote
SC Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, May 4, 2005 - S.111/H.3213
Audio (40:50) - Public hearing, no debate or vote
SC House Judiciary Committee, April 5, 2005 - H.3213
Audio (38:33) - Following debate, bill passed favorably by vote of 15 - 5 (roll call)
www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/bills/3213.htm
www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/bills/111.htm
Legal Opinion (2005) of South Carolina Attorney General on the Right to Life Act of SC
"Accordingly, it is our opinion that the Right to Life Act is constitutional."
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/Westlaw_Document_15_03_35_5392471.doc
From the very text of the Roe v. Wade decision - if "personhood" for the fetus is established (with no "exceptions") then the legal argument for abortion "collapses":
Right to Life Act of SC - news conference and "Jesus Christ is Lord of the Gates" pro-life rally - Jan. 17, 2006
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/H3213-S111-1032.doc
In the very text of the Roe v. Wade US supreme Court decision it states, “[Texas] argue[s] that the fetus is a “person” within the language and meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment… If this suggestion of personhood is established, the [pro-abortion] case, of course, collapses, for the fetus’ right to life would then be guaranteed specifically by the [14th] Amendment.” In other words, there never would have been legalized abortion under Roe v. Wade. But tragically, Texas had an “exception” which undermined their entire “personhood” argument. Justice Harry Blackmun wrote: “[ Footnote 54 ] When Texas urges that a fetus is entitled to Fourteenth Amendment protection as a person, it faces a dilemma. Neither in Texas nor in any other State are all abortions prohibited. Despite broad proscription, an exception always exists… But if the fetus is a person who is not to be deprived of life without due process of law, and if the mother's condition is the sole determinant, does not the Texas exception appear to be out of line with the Amendment's command? ...”
Roe v. Wade
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=410&invol=113
_________________________________________________
The Right to Life Act of SC, in statutorily vesting legal “personhood” at fertilization for ALL human beings, satisifies the Roe formula published 35 years ago. The issue of legal “Personhood” for ALL human beings, without exception, is a key to unlocking the 35 year old Roe v. Wade abortion enigma.
"Personhood Song" - Artist: Tony Funderbunk (4:06 - audio link)
"Give an unborn baby personhood..."
www.coloradorighttolife.org/files/audio/personhood.mp3
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
George Mason, Virginia delegate to the Constitutional Convention, 1787:
"Every master of slaves is born a petty tyrant. They bring the judgment of heaven upon a country. As nations cannot be rewarded or punished in the next world, they must be in this. By an inevitable chain of causes and effects, Providence punishes nation sins, by national calamites."
America lost over 600,000 American lives in the War Between Americans (1861-1865) as a result of God's divine judgment on the national sin of America's institutionalized chattel slavery system
Just as God is already bringing incrementally greater divine judgment (e.g., 9-11, War in Iraq, ongoing Foreign Invasion by 12-20 Million Illegal Aliens, etc., etc., etc.) upon America for our federal, state, and local government-protected, institutionalized system of child-murder in our 750 plus abortion centers and hospitals and doctors offices today. www.lifedynamics.com/DeathCamps/DeathCamps.cfm
AMERICA - A NATION UNDER DIVINE JUDGMENT.
Psalm 33:12; Proverb 14:34; Psalm 9:17; 2 Kings 24:1-4; Jeremiah 19:3-5; Psalm 106:37-42
Foreign invasion (12-20 Million Illegal Aliens) and War (Iraq) are divine consequences upon a nation, any nation, for the shedding of innocent blood (e.g., 2 Kings 24:1-4)...
"If My people [Christians], which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways [sins of commission and omission]; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land [America, or any nation]."
2 Chronicles 7:14
FIFTH ANNUAL "REPENTANCE FOR BLOODGUILT" OUTDOOR WORSHIP SERVICE IN COLUMBIA, SC (since January 2003)
Sunday, January 21, 2007, South Steps, SC State House, Columbia, South Carolina
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/REP07-05.doc
"But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it."
Psalm 94:15, KJB
"America repent"
"Contemporary Christian Artist: Tim Juillet"
www.myspace.com/timjuillet
(scroll down to song in player window in upper right of home page)
No King but King Jesus! (Yeshua Messiah)
Declarations and Evidences of Christian Faith in America’s Colonial Charters, State Constitutions, and other Historical Documents during over 375 Years of American History: 1606 to 1982
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/NoKingbutKingJesus.doc
"... I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matt. 16:18
Yeshua Messiah
Hallelu-Yah !
Steve Lefemine, pro-life missionary
dir., Columbia Christians for Life
PO Box 50358
Columbia, SC
(803) 765-0916
http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/
http://www.righttolifeactofsc.net/
http://www.lefemineforlife.net/
February 14, 2008
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/Westlaw_Document_15_03_35_5392471.doc
From the very text of the Roe v. Wade decision - if "personhood" for the fetus is established (with no "exceptions") then the legal argument for abortion "collapses":
Right to Life Act of SC - news conference and "Jesus Christ is Lord of the Gates" pro-life rally - Jan. 17, 2006
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/H3213-S111-1032.doc
In the very text of the Roe v. Wade US supreme Court decision it states, “[Texas] argue[s] that the fetus is a “person” within the language and meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment… If this suggestion of personhood is established, the [pro-abortion] case, of course, collapses, for the fetus’ right to life would then be guaranteed specifically by the [14th] Amendment.” In other words, there never would have been legalized abortion under Roe v. Wade. But tragically, Texas had an “exception” which undermined their entire “personhood” argument. Justice Harry Blackmun wrote: “[ Footnote 54 ] When Texas urges that a fetus is entitled to Fourteenth Amendment protection as a person, it faces a dilemma. Neither in Texas nor in any other State are all abortions prohibited. Despite broad proscription, an exception always exists… But if the fetus is a person who is not to be deprived of life without due process of law, and if the mother's condition is the sole determinant, does not the Texas exception appear to be out of line with the Amendment's command? ...”
Roe v. Wade
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=410&invol=113
_________________________________________________
The Right to Life Act of SC, in statutorily vesting legal “personhood” at fertilization for ALL human beings, satisifies the Roe formula published 35 years ago. The issue of legal “Personhood” for ALL human beings, without exception, is a key to unlocking the 35 year old Roe v. Wade abortion enigma.
"Personhood Song" - Artist: Tony Funderbunk (4:06 - audio link)
"Give an unborn baby personhood..."
www.coloradorighttolife.org/files/audio/personhood.mp3
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
George Mason, Virginia delegate to the Constitutional Convention, 1787:
"Every master of slaves is born a petty tyrant. They bring the judgment of heaven upon a country. As nations cannot be rewarded or punished in the next world, they must be in this. By an inevitable chain of causes and effects, Providence punishes nation sins, by national calamites."
America lost over 600,000 American lives in the War Between Americans (1861-1865) as a result of God's divine judgment on the national sin of America's institutionalized chattel slavery system
Just as God is already bringing incrementally greater divine judgment (e.g., 9-11, War in Iraq, ongoing Foreign Invasion by 12-20 Million Illegal Aliens, etc., etc., etc.) upon America for our federal, state, and local government-protected, institutionalized system of child-murder in our 750 plus abortion centers and hospitals and doctors offices today. www.lifedynamics.com/DeathCamps/DeathCamps.cfm
AMERICA - A NATION UNDER DIVINE JUDGMENT.
Psalm 33:12; Proverb 14:34; Psalm 9:17; 2 Kings 24:1-4; Jeremiah 19:3-5; Psalm 106:37-42
Foreign invasion (12-20 Million Illegal Aliens) and War (Iraq) are divine consequences upon a nation, any nation, for the shedding of innocent blood (e.g., 2 Kings 24:1-4)...
"If My people [Christians], which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways [sins of commission and omission]; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land [America, or any nation]."
2 Chronicles 7:14
FIFTH ANNUAL "REPENTANCE FOR BLOODGUILT" OUTDOOR WORSHIP SERVICE IN COLUMBIA, SC (since January 2003)
Sunday, January 21, 2007, South Steps, SC State House, Columbia, South Carolina
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/REP07-05.doc
"But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it."
Psalm 94:15, KJB
"America repent"
"Contemporary Christian Artist: Tim Juillet"
www.myspace.com/timjuillet
(scroll down to song in player window in upper right of home page)
No King but King Jesus! (Yeshua Messiah)
Declarations and Evidences of Christian Faith in America’s Colonial Charters, State Constitutions, and other Historical Documents during over 375 Years of American History: 1606 to 1982
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/NoKingbutKingJesus.doc
"... I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matt. 16:18
Yeshua Messiah
Hallelu-Yah !
Steve Lefemine, pro-life missionary
dir., Columbia Christians for Life
PO Box 50358
Columbia, SC
(803) 765-0916
http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/
http://www.righttolifeactofsc.net/
http://www.lefemineforlife.net/
February 14, 2008
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