Room 207, Gressette Bldg., conducted approx. 10:15 - 11:45 AM State House grounds, Columbia, SC
We give all praise and glory to the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ forthe continued deliberations on the Right to Life of SC. Although a vote was not taken today in the subcommittee to pass the bill favorably out of the subcommittee and on to the full Senate Judiciary Committee; neither was the bill killed. A vote remains to be taken. The Right to Life Act of SC is still alive.
The Subcommittee chaired by Senator Jim Ritchie (R-Spartanburg) of the Senate Judiciary Committee conducted a second Public Hearing during which testimony was heard primarily (almost exclusively) on the subject of the Right to Life Act of SC (H.3213/S.111). Of the nine speakers who spoke during the approx. one and one-half hours of testimony, all except for two spoke in favor of passage of the Right to Life Act of SC. The two who did not speak in support of the RTL Act of SC were: 1) a law professor from the partially tax-funded University of South Carolina, and someone from the A.C.L.U. - these two spoke of legal problems that would arise if the Right to Life Act of SC were passed into law.
At the end of the 90 minutes of intense testimony, chairman Senator Ritchie explained the need of the subcommittee to digest the information conveyed to them, and further assess the impact of the Right to Life Act, and also, unfortunately, another bill, S.479 (the Unborn Victim's Act), which while it does recognize fetal personhood in several limited areas of state law, it also disgracefully and abominably statutorily recognizes the so-called "mother's right to privacy, to a lawful medical procedure performed by aphysician..." [read 'abortion']. This is not a pro-life bill. It is advocated by South Carolina Citizens for Life (SC state chapter of National Right to Life).
As of the end of the subcommittee meeting, Senator Ritchie did not know whether, with just about two weeks left in the 2005 legislative session (it ends Thursday, June 2, two weeks from tomorrow), whether or not his subcommittee would actually vote on the Right to Life Act of SC by that end of session date or not.
Speakers in favor of passage of the Right to Life Act were:
1. Johnny Gardner, dir., Voice of the Unborn, Columbia
2. Steve Lefemine, dir., Columbia Christians for Life, Columbia
3. Kim _____, post-abortion, personal testimony, Columbia area
4. Gerald Nagy, missionary-support computer services ministry, West Columbia
5. Mr. Bob Slimp, Presbyterian minister, Reserve Army chaplain (LTC), Columbia
6. Chris _____, mother of post-abortive daughter, personal testimony, Columbia area
7. Mr. Charles Butler, pastor, Souls Afire Baptist Church, Orangeburg
Much excellent testimony was given, to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, by the pro-life/anti-abortion speakers. Much Scripture was spoken, and several important subjects were covered, including the God-ordained accountability of those in civil government to God, and issues of law, biology, and as mentioned above, personal testimonies.
To order the CD of the proceedings, contact Mr. Phil Lenski, staff attorneyfor the Senate Judiciary Committee, at (803) 212-6617. The cost is $5.00.
In addition to chairman Senator Jim Ritchie (R-Spartanburg), there were two other senators present of the 4-man subcommittee:
Senator Randy Scott (R-Summerville)
Senator Joel Louris (D-Columbia)
absent (chairing another subcommitee) was Senator Luke Rankin (R-Horry Co.)
Senator Ritchie and Senator Scott are generally favorable to the bill, however neither is presently a co-sponsor of S.111, and it seems that it would be beneficial for both of them to continue to hear from the public encouraging them to support the RTL Act of SC without the 'fatal flaw' rape EXCEPTION amendment that was added in the SC House. One step of progress that seems to have been made waswhen Senator Ritchie expressed after today's subcommittee hearing his understanding, essentially, how there can't be any 'exceptions' to personhood - either we vest personhood or we don't. This is important so that we do not make the same mistake that the State of Texas made over 30 years ago in the Roe case with a 'life-of-the-mother' exception that undermined the fetal 'personhood' case that Texas tried to make, but failed to, in part, because of an 'exception' to fetal personhood in law. Please pray for Senator Ritchie (and all these senators) that they will fear God and not man, and do what is their God-ordained duty, to 'establish justice' in the 'gate.'
Senator Joel Lourie (D-Columbia) appears to be generally against the bill. It is unknown what the position of Senator Luke Rankin (R-Horry County) is at present.
The bottom line is that all four senators need further encouragement to either:
a) vote for the bill, or
b) if they are against the bill, as Senator Lourie of Columbia appears most likely to be, that they be encouraged to abstain from voting against the bill.
c) ask each one of them to sign on as a co-sponsor of S.111
Furthermore, apparently SC Senate rules allow the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman (Senator Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston) to also potentially have a vote, in the subcommittee. So it may be helpful for pro-life people to contact Senator McConnell as well. Ask Senator McConnell to support passage of the RTL Act of SC in its original (unamended) form, and ask him if he will sign on as a co-sponsor of the Right to Life Act (tell him that the Speaker of the SC House, the Speaker Pro Tempore of the SC House, and the House Majority Leader all signed on as co-sponsors to the House version before Second Reading).
-------------------------------------------
Beyond these five men associated with Senator Ritchie's subcommittee (Senators Jim Ritchie, Luke Rankin, Randy Scott, Joel Lourie, and Judiciary Comm. chairman Glenn McConnell), it would also be helpful to begin making contact with some members of the 23-man Senate Judiciary Committee:
Please consider contacting these selected Judiciary Committee members below to:
a) sign onto bill S.111 as a co-sponsor themselves, and
b) ask them to urge the 5 men above on Senator Ritchie's subcommittee to pass the bill out favorably before the end of the legislative session inthe next two weeks:
Senator Greg Gregory (R-Lancaster and York Counties)
Senator Larry Martin (R-Pickens County)
Senator Bill Mescher (R-Berkeley County)
Senator John Hawkins (R-Spartanburg County)
Senator Jake Knotts (R-Lexington County)
Senator Ronnie Cromer (R-Lexington, Newberry, & Saluda Counties)
Senator Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson County) [already a co-sponsor of S.111]
Senator Chip Campsen (R-Berkeley & Charleston Counties)
Senator Ray Cleary (R-Charleston, Georgetown, & Horry Counties)
Senator Kent Williams (D-Dillon, Florence, Marion & Marlboro Counties)
In addition to these 10 men, of course, are added the names of the 4 members of Senator Ritchie's Subcommittee (Ritchie, Rankin, Scott, & Lourie), and Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Senator Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston), for a totalof 15 members of the (23-man) Judiciary Committee that should begin to be contacted.
------------------------------
Also please consider contacting these six state senators below who are already co-sponsors of S.111, to lobby the members of Senator Ritchie's Subcommittee and the other Judiciary Committee members above: [see link to S.111 from www.ChristianLifeandLiberty.net]
Senator Mike Fair (R-Greenville)
Senator David Thomas (R-Greenville)
Senator Larry Grooms (R-Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton & Dorchester Counties)
Senator Danny Verdin (R-Greenville & Laurens Counties)
Senator Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson) [Senator Bryant is on the Judiciary Committee]
Senator Wes Hayes (R-York Co.)
Please ask the six senators above who are already co-sponsors of S.111 to urge the Judiciary Committee members above to:
a) sign onto bill S.111 as a co-sponsor themselves, and
b) ask them to urge the 5 men above on Senator Ritchie's subcommittee to pass the bill out favorably before the end of the legislative session inthe next two weeks.
----------------------
Lastly, please consider contacting YOUR OWN STATE SENATOR:
to sign on to Senate bill S.111 themselves, and to urge the Judiciary Committee members above to:
a) sign onto bill S.111 as a co-sponsor themselves, and
b) ask them to urge the 5 men above on Senator Ritchie's subcommittee to pass the bill out favorably before the end of the legislative session in the next two weeks:
________________
Below you will find the detailed contact information for Senator Ricthie's Subcommittee and Senator Glenn McConnell (phone numbers / e-mail addresses / mail addresses).
NOTE: all of the SC Senators can be faxed at 803-212-6299 - be sure to include the Senator’s name on whatever you fax since this is a fax machine in common use to all 46 SC state senators.
If you need the name, address, e-mail, or telephone number of your SC State Senator, go to:
www.scstatehouse.net/html-pages/senatebios.html
www.scstatehouse.net/html-pages/senate2.html
SENATE MAILING ADDRESS:
You may also write any Member of the Senate at:
Post Office Box 142, Columbia, S.C. 29202-0142
_________________________
Contact info for SC Senators:
Glenn McConnell (R) and
Jim Ritchie (R), Randy Scott (R),
Luke Rankin (R), & Joel Lourie (D):
President Pro Tempore Glenn F. McConnell
District 41 - Charleston Co.
Contact Addresses: E-Mail Address: SJU@scsenate.org
(H) 27 Bainbridge Dr., Charleston, 29407
Bus. (843) 747-7554 Home (843) 571-3921
(C) 101 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6610
Senator James H. "Jim" Ritchie, Jr.
District 13 - Greenville, Spartanburg & Union Cos.
Contact Addresses: E-Mail Address: JHR@scsenate.org
(H) 302 South Pine St., Spartanburg, 29302
Bus. (864) 585-2275 Home (864) 585-6047
(C) 608 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6008/6032
Senator Randy Scott
District 38 - Charleston & Dorchester Cos.
Contact Addresses: E-Mail Address: SCOTTR@scsenate.org
(H) 107 Cleveland St., Summerville, 29483
Bus. (843) 873-5544 Home (843) 871-2964
(C) 606 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6024
Senator Luke A. Rankin, Sr.
District 33 - Horry Co.
Contact Addresses: E-Mail Address: LR@scsenate.org
(H) 201 Beaty St., Conway, 29526
Bus. (843) 248-2405 Home (843) 626-6269
(C) 508 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6132
Senator Joel Lourie
District 22 - Kershaw & Richland Cos.
Contact Addresses: E-Mail Address: JBL@scsenate.org
(H) P.O. Box 6212, Columbia, 29260
Bus. (803) 765-9200 ext.257 Home (803) 787-5802
(C) 504 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6116
_________________________
Prepared by Columbia Christians for Life * http://www.righttolifeactofsc.net/ * (803) 765-0916 * Columbia, SC
Thank you for your interest in passing principled pro-life/anti-abortion, no ''EXCEPTIONS'state-level legislation in South Carolina. If you are from out of state and would like to help, your e-mails, faxes, letters and phone calls are welcome. If South Carolina, Lord willing,passes principled pro-life legislation, perhaps that would be helpful to other states to do likewise. Already this legislative year, three other states have had principled pro-life, no 'EXCEPTIONS' bills filed in their state legislatures:
GEORGIA, NORTH DAKOTA, and OHIO.
Note: For add’l resources that may be useful in lobbying these State Senators, go to
www.ChristianLifeandLiberty.net, and click on “RTL Act of SC.” There you will find someitems germaine to your lobbying effort, which may be printed out and mailed or faxed; or, e-mailed, to these Senators.
__________________
If you wish to contribute to Columbia Christians for Life, go to http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/ and click on "Support" for further information (contributions are not tax deductible)
May 16, 2005
Update: Public Hearing for RTL Act of SC - May 18, 2005
Public Hearing for Right to Life Act of SC - Wed., May 18 at 10 AM
Room 207, Gressette Bldg., next to SC State House, Columbia
This is the 2d public hearing for S.111/H.3213 - it is scheduled before a 4-man (3 R's, 1 D) Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee,from 10 AM to 12 noon.
[links to bills from www.ChristianLifeandLiberty.net ]
Please contact these four SC state senators and ask them to support and vote for the Right to Life Act of SC without the 'fatal flaw' rape' EXCEPTION' that was added to H.3213 in the SC House in April.
- Senator Jim Ritchie, chair. (Republican - Spartanburg)
- Senator Randy Scott (Republican - Summerville)
- Senator Luke Rankin (Republican - Myrtle Beach)
- Senator Joel Lourie (Democrat - Columbia)
The contact information (phone / fax / e-mail) for these four senators is below. The public hearing is at 10 AM this Wednesday morning (May 18).
Please contact them by close of business, Tuesday, May 17th.
Please pray Proverb 21:1 over these four men, if you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour: "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it withersoever He will." The Word of God is for all men, for all nations, for all time. God Himself is sovereign over all men, and all nations, for all time, whether they acknowledge Him or not ![Psalm 2]
Please consider joining in a time of prayer and fasting for the passage of a pure, God-honoring bill (without the rape 'EXCEPTION' that rebels against the LORD's commandment in Exodus 20:13), from 6 PM Monday evening May 16, through the public hearing on Wednesday May 18 that is scheduled to go until 12 noon.
If you are able to attend the hearing, and would like to come in support of passage of the Right to Life Act of SC without the rape 'EXCEPTION' added on the floor of the SC House in April, when you arrive, look for someone passing out lapel tags saying, "VOTE 'YES' to RTL Act of SC, S.111 and H.3213 without rape 'EXCEPTION.'
May 12, 2005
New Updated Flyer for Right to Life Act of South Carolina (H.3213/S.111) - May 12, 2005
May 12, 2005
If you are from out-of-state (outside South Carolina), you can still e-mail these South Carolina state senators to help pass the Right to Life Act of SC (H.3213/S.111) !
If SC passes a principled, no 'exceptions' pro-life/anti-abortion bill, it may help your state pass principled legislation as well !
At least three other states have had active no 'exceptions' bills this legislative session:
1. North Dakota - House Bill No. 1227 (defeated on the House floor)
2. Georgia - House Bill HB 93 (status undetermined)
3. Ohio - House Bill 228 (recently filed)
4. South Carolina - House Bill H.3213 (passed SC House of Representatives April 14, albeit with a 'fatal flaw' rape EXCEPTION amendment added on the SC House floor prior to vote on Second Reading of the bill on April 13; H.3213 sent to SC Senate. First public hearing before Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 4)
5. South Carolina - Senate Bill S.111 (companion bill to H.3213 - first public hearing before Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 4)
North Dakota House Bill No. 1227
www.state.nd.us/lr/assembly/59-2005/bill-actions/ba1227.html
Georgia House Bill HB 93
www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/search/hb93.htm
Ohio House Bill 228
www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=126_HB_228
South Carolina House Bill H.3213
http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/bills/3213.htm
South Carolina Senate Bill S.111
www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/bills/111.htm
Steve Lefemine, pro-life missionary
dir., Columbia Christians for Life
CCL lobbyist
Columbia, SC
www.ChristianLifeandLiberty.net
www.RighttoLifeActofSC.net
__________________
New Updated Flyer for Right to Life Act of South Carolina (H.3213/S.111) [May 12]
TAKE ACTION TO PASS the "Right to Life Act of South Carolina"
Now is the time for action !
1. Pray* (if you are a born-again Christian)
2. Call
3. Inform others
4. E-mail
5. Write
6. Lobby
7. Donate* as you are led of the Lord, you might also consider fasting betweennow and Wednesday, May 18th, whether a regular complete fast (water-only);or some form of a partial fast (e.g., liquid/juices only; or fast one meal a day;or fast two meals a day, etc.).
UPDATE:
1. The Right to Life Act of SC passed the S.C. House of Representatives on April 14, with 52 House co-sponsors, albeit with a 'fatal flaw' rape EXCEPTION by a so-called 'morning-after-pill' (which is an abortifacient causing chemical abortions) amendment that was unfortunately added to the bill. Because it creates an "exception" to the fundamental purpose and strategy of the bill, rendering the bill now logically nonsensical, and legally indefensible (just as the "exception" in the Texas anti-abortion law challenged in Roe v. Wade over 30 years ago undermined the case that the State of Texas tried to make for fetal "personhood"), the bill passed by the SC House, H.3213, is now fatally flawed. S.111, the Senate companion bill, is still in its original, unamended state - this is the version that we should pray and work for the SC Senate to pass (see both bills by direct links from http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/ homepage).
2. On May 4, a 4-man (3 R's, 1 D) Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee, began hearing testimony on the Right to Life Act of SC (S.111 and H.3213) in Room 207, the Gressette Building, near the SC State House.
3. On May 4, there were numerous speakers for both sides, supporting and opposing the bill, including six women from Planned Parenthood (including a medical doctor, a USC (USC is partially tax-funded) health professor, and a PP of SC Board member. PP operates a child-murder-by-abortion mill in Columbia. A Senate schedule change on May 4 shortened the available time for the public hearing; so the chairman, Senator Jim Ritchie (R-Spartanburg), informed the public in the audience present for the subcommittee hearing that another hearing will be scheduled, to allow more speakers to testify.
4. At this point, the date/time and room # for the next public hearing on S.111/H.3213, the Right to Life Act of SC, is unknown, however it is possible that it could be scheduled for 11 AM, Wednesday, May 18.
5. The four members of the Senate Subcommittee considering this bill to vest legal "personhood" for al pre-birth human beings at fertilization, thereby protecting their lives under the SC State Constitution, are:
- Senator Jim Ritchie, chair. (R-Spartanburg)
- Senator Randy Scott (R-Summerville)
- Senator Luke Rankin (R-Myrtle Beach)
- Senator Joel Lourie (D-Columbia)
The contact information for all four men is given in the flyer below. Please contact these men NLT Tuesday, May 17th (e-mail / fax / call / and/or write),
Please ask these four SC State Senators to support and vote for the language of the Right to Life Act of SC in its original form, without the rape EXCEPTION. Give them both House/Senate bill #’s: H.3213 and S.111. These Senators can remove the ‘fatal flaw’ Amendment and still, Lord willing, save this bill.
There are 46 total members in the full Senate (26 R's, 20 D's).
________________
FLYER - see Attachment below for properly formatted version for use as a one-page hand-out for distribution
________________
(5/12/05)
TAKE ACTION TO PASS
the
"Right to Life Act of South Carolina"
On Wednesday, May 4, a 4-man (3 R’s, 1 D) Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Comm. began hearing testimony on the Right to Life Act of SC -S.111 / H.3213 in Rm. 207, Gressette Building.
There were numerous speakers for both sides, supporting and opposing the bill, including six women from Planned Parenthood (including a medical doctor, a USC health professor, and a PP of SC Board member). PP operates a child-murder mill in Columbia. A Senate schedule change May 4 shortened the available time for the public hearing; another hearing is planned, possibly as early as Wed., May 18, to allow more to speak.
The bill passed the SC House of Representatives on April 14, albeit with a ‘fatal flaw’ rape EXCEPTION by a so-called ‘morning-after-pill’ (an abortifacient causing chemical abortions) amendment that was added to the bill. Pray the Senate will remove this ‘fatal’ amendment.
While we praise and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ for the bill’s progress, the rape EXCEPTION unravels the whole legal ‘personhood’ concept of the bill (just as a life-of-the-mother EXCEPTION in the Texas statute overturned in Roe v. Wade helped undermine the case for legal ‘personhood’ Texas tried to make over 30 years ago). CONCLUSION: The rape ‘EXCEPTION’ must be removed, or the bill must be killed.
There are presently only 6 co-sponsors of the Senate companion bill (S.111), which is still in its original form (i.e., without the rape EXCEPTION amendment like on H.3213). You can help. Please call / write / e-mail / and/or fax at least one of the subcomm.’s 3 Republicans NLT Tues., May 17th:
- Senator Jim Ritchie, chair. (R-Spartanburg)
- Senator Randy Scott (R-Summerville)
- Senator Luke Rankin (R-Myrtle Beach)
- Senator Joel Lourie (D-Columbia)
Please contact the three Republicans first, then contact Democrat Senator Joel Lourie
The Republicans outnumber the one Democrat by 3 votes to 1 vote, however none are yet S.111 co-sponsors!
Ask them to support and vote for the language of the Right to Life Act of SC in its original form, without the rape EXCEPTION. Give them both House/Senate bill #’s: H.3213 and S.111. These Senators can remove the ‘fatal flaw’ Amendment and still, Lord willing, save this bill.
If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, pray God would turn the hearts of all 4 members of this Senate Subcomm. (3 R's, 1 D) to support the RTL Act of SC in its original form without the rape EXCEPTION.
The "Right to Life Act of South Carolina", if passed by the Republican-majority SC Legislature, and if signed by Republican SC Governor Mark Sanford, would recognize the God-given, legal ‘personhood’ of all pre-birth human beings at fertilization under the SC State Constitution. See link to bill at ChristianLifeandLiberty.net
Contact info for SC Senators: Jim Ritchie (R), Randy Scott (R), Luke Rankin (R), & Joel Lourie (D):
NOTE: all Senators can be faxed at 803-212-6299 include the Senator’s name on whatever you fax !
Senator James H. "Jim" Ritchie, Jr.
District 13 - Greenville, Spartanburg & Union Cos.
Contact Addresses: E-Mail Address: JHR@scsenate.org
(H) 302 South Pine St., Spartanburg, 29302
Bus. (864) 585-2275 Home (864) 585-6047
(C) 608 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6008/6032
------------------------------------
Senator Randy Scott
District 38 - Charleston & Dorchester Cos.
Contact Addresses: E-Mail Address: SCOTTR@scsenate.org
(H) 107 Cleveland St., Summerville, 29483
Bus. (843) 873-5544 Home (843) 871-2964
(C) 606 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6024
-----------------------------------
Senator Luke A. Rankin, Sr. District 33 - Horry Co.
Contact Addresses: E-Mail Address: LR@scsenate.org
(H) 201 Beaty St., Conway, 29526
Bus. (843) 248-2405 Home (843) 626-6269
(C) 508 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6132
------------------------------------
Senator Joel Lourie District 22 - Kershaw & Richland Cos.
Contact Addresses: E-Mail Address: JBL@scsenate.org
(H) P.O. Box 6212, Columbia, 29260
Bus. (803) 765-9200 ext.257 Home (803) 787-5802
(C) 504 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6116
_____________________________
Prepared by Columbia Christians for Life * http://www.righttolifeactofsc.net/ * (803) 765-0916 * Columbia, SC
Note: For add’l resources that may be useful in lobbying these State Senators, go to http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/, and click on “RTL Act of SC.” There you will find some items germaine to your lobbying effort, which may be printed out and mailed or faxed; or, e-mailed, to these Senators.
May 06, 2005
South Carolina state Senators begin hearing testimony on Right to Life Act of SC - S.111/H.3213
Bill already passed SC House, albeit with a 'fatal flaw' amendment
Senate Judiciary Subcommittee plans to schedule another public hearing to hearmore speakers from both sides, for and against the Right to Life Act of SC. Next Wednesday (May 11), Senator Ritchie's subcommittee has a hearing on S.590, a bill opposing stem cell research, so the soonest another public hearing for the Right to Life Act of SC (H.3213/S.111) could be scheduled, is Wednesday, May 18.
May 6, 2005
Steve Lefemine, pro-life missionary
dir., Columbia Christians for Life
CCL lobbyist
Columbia, SC
www.ChristianLifeandLiberty.net
www.RighttoLifeActofSC.net
_______________________
The State
Columbia, SC
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/columnists/john_monk/11566702.htm
Posted on Thu, May. 05, 2005
Senators debate rights of embryos
by John Monk
News columnist
Opponents clashed Wednesday in the kickoff of the state Senate’s debate of one of this year’s most contentious topics the rights of the unborn.
“These bills are not about abortion,” declared leadoff witness Sen. Mike Fair, R-Greenville, testifying at a Senate hearing on bills that would bestow citizenship rights on a fertilized egg within minutes of conception.
[CCL note: Senator Mike Fair (R-Greenville) is the primary sponsor of S.111.]
[CCL note: should read: "... on human embryo at conception (fertilization)."]
“These bills are to clarify the fact that an unborn child is an unborn child and becomes such at fertilization,” Fair said at a Judiciary subcommittee meeting.
Minutes later, witness No. 2 Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg denounced Fair’s position. The bills are all about abortion, Hutto said, and will spark numerous lawsuits to protect just-conceived embryos. “That is the whole emphasis behind this bill.”
Over the next 40 minutes, witnesses served up clashing religious, medical and political viewpoints over whether to grant citizenship rights to just-conceived embryos. Under the bills, embryos could not be “deprived of life without due process of law.”
Kathryn Luchok, a health professor at the USC School of Public Health, said the bills would take the right to choose an abortion away from a woman and let a “third party” decide.
[CCL note: This article fails to mention that Dr. Luchok's name was listed on the Subcommittee sign-in sheet with a block of five women from Planned Parenthood, right after Dr. Renee Carter's name, with whom Dr. Luchok paired up with at thewitness table as Dr. Carter and Dr. Luchok testified side-by-side against the bill.]A sixth woman from the Planned Parenthood of South Carolina Board was also on the sign-up sheet,]
[CCL note: Here is a good illustration why taxpayer money should not be spent toaugment the budgets of universities like the University of South Carolina (USC), Clemson University, etc. - Christian pro-life taxpayers are being forced to fund the salaries of pro-abortion professors teaching young people in South Carolina !]
Luchok was grilled by Sen. Randy Scott, R-Dorchester, after she said pregnant women should have the right to choose an abortion.
“How about her husband and the child?” asked Scott, who wondered whether they had rights, too.
“I believe most women do consult with their partner,” Luchok said.
Abortion opponent Robert Hayes, director of the S.C. League of the South, told subcommittee members the male sperm and the female egg must not be aborted once they are joined. “South Carolina must protect innocent life,” he said.
Under questioning by Sen. Joel Lourie, D-Richland, Hayes also said South Carolina would be better off as an independent nation. Federal laws allowing abortion are unconstitutional, he said. (In a 1972 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court said a woman has a constitutional right to choose to have an abortion.)
[CCL note: The U.S. Supreme Court's unconstitutional, Oath-breaking, Covenant-breaking Roe v. Wade decision was issued in 1973.]
Another issue raised Wednesday is whether to bestow legal protections upon embryos for matters other than abortion.
Abortion opponent Holly Gatling said a pregnant woman can be beaten and miscarry, but if the unborn child is less than 24 weeks old, the assailant can’t be charged with the death.
[CCL note: There were three bills on the Senate Subcommittee's agenda: S.111 (original version of the RTL Act of SC, vesting legal "personhood" for all pre-birth human beings); H.3213 (RTL Act of SC passed by the S.C. House on April 14, now amended with the 'fatal flaw' rape EXCEPTION language), and S.479 (bill supported by S.C. Citizens for Life (the S.C. chapter of NRL) that recognizes fetal "personhood" in certain limited areas of law, but specifically not in the area of abortion; saying this S.C. Citizens for Life bill "does not apply to a mother's right to privacy" (her alleged 'right' to murder her child), "to a lawful procedure performed by a physician or other licensed medical professional at the request of the mother of an unborn child or the mother's legal guardian" (child-murder by surgical abortion to cut-up, pull apart, or saline poison the pre-born baby to death), "or to the lawful dispensation or administration oflawfully prescribed medication" (including the 'hard-core' abortifacient drug RU-486, or so-called "Morning-After-Pills" which are both abortifacient and contraceptive in their functionality, or other chemical abortion causing drugs, like Depo-Provera and Birth Control Pills (both are multi-functional).
At this Senate Judiciary Subcommittee public hearing, both H.3213 and S.111, the two versions of the Right to Life Act of SC, were on the agenda. The version of the Right to Life Act of SC without the rape exception amendment added before the vote on Second Reading in the SC House on April 13, had the support of at least these three orgainizations: Columbia Christians for Life, Voice of the Unborn, and the S.C. League of the South. H.3213 and S.111 can be seen on-line with links form the homepage of www.ChristianLifeandLiberty.net. Updates and action items in support of the bill can be seen at www.RighttoLifeActofSC.net.
The Unborn Victim's Act, S.479, is supported by S.C. Citizens for Life (NRL chapter),and can be viewed at: www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/bills/479.htm ]
Under one bill considered Wednesday, an assailant could face criminal charges for causing the miscarriage of an unborn child younger than 24 weeks old.
Subcommittee chair Sen. Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg, cut short the hearing because senators had to go into session. He promised to hold another hearing.
At the next hearing, Lourie said he would like to hear from an impartial legal expert from the USC law school. “The expert could tell us about current South Carolina law and what the implications would be if these bills passed.”
Last month, a right-to-life bill breezed through the S.C. House.
Since then, thanks to a controversial amendment offered by bill opponent Rep. Thayer Rivers, D-Jasper, medical and some women’s rights advocates have questioned the proposal.
Rivers’ amendment, which the House approved, said a rape victim could take a morning-after pill to end or prevent a pregnancy.
[CCL note: "Morning-After-Pills," which are just high-doses of birth control chemicals, have three functioning mechanisms, two are contraceptive, one is chemically abortifacient, just like Birth Control Pills. See article on the subject at the Pharmacists For Life Int'l website at: www.pfli.org/begin108.html ]
The amendment infuriates abortion opponents. They hold that all human life even if the result of rape is sacred.
[CCL note: The rape EXCEPTION amendment 'fatally flaws' the entire bill because it undermines the whole legal "personhood" concept / strategy uponwhich the bill is based. This is a primary reason why the Texas law challenged in the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision was overturned, because it too had an"EXCEPTION," which helped fatally undermine the legal argument that Texasattempted to make for fetal personhood. This is all documented in the text anda germaine Footnote of the Roe decision itself. See entire text of Roe decision on-line at: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=410&invol=113 ]
However, medical groups said doctors should be able to prescribe morning-after pills, a legal drug, to all women, not just rape victims. Some women’s rights advocates have said incest victims or women whose lives are at risk from pregnancy could not have an abortion under the bills.
Dr. Renee Carter of Charleston testified Wednesday that if these bills are passed, a doctor performing an abortion to save a woman’s life might face murder charges. “That I could be charged with murder is inconceivable.”
[CCL note: How ironic that someone associated with Planned Parenthood (Murder, Inc.),finds it inconceivable she could be charged with murder.]
[CCL note: Again, this article fails to mention that Dr. Renee Carter's name ledthe list of a block of five women from Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthoodoperates the only remaining free-standing child-murder mill in Columbia, S.C.(the Lord has shut down four other abortuaries here since 1995), and last year reported murdering over 1,400 pre-birth human beings by surgical abortion alone in their death camp located in Middleburg Park, just off Forest Drive. Since 1978, PP in Columbia has likewise murdered over 25,000 individuals who have grown and matured WEEKS past what The State newspaper here calls "fertilized eggs."The Bible says in Hosea 4:1 that the Lord has a controversy with the rebellious, wicked people in the land in that day (like America today). One of God's indictments upon thispeople was, "... there is no truth,..." Think about that as you consider the statements of false witness given by various individuals in this article - no wonder in America that,"... blood toucheth blood." (Hosea 4:2), or bloodshed follows bloodshed. We sow,we reap. We sow bloodshed in the womb; we reap bloodshed in homes, on the streets, in workplaces, in churches, in schools, in the World Trade Towers.]
© 2005 The State and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.http://www.thestate.com
Senate Judiciary Subcommittee plans to schedule another public hearing to hearmore speakers from both sides, for and against the Right to Life Act of SC. Next Wednesday (May 11), Senator Ritchie's subcommittee has a hearing on S.590, a bill opposing stem cell research, so the soonest another public hearing for the Right to Life Act of SC (H.3213/S.111) could be scheduled, is Wednesday, May 18.
May 6, 2005
Steve Lefemine, pro-life missionary
dir., Columbia Christians for Life
CCL lobbyist
Columbia, SC
www.ChristianLifeandLiberty.net
www.RighttoLifeActofSC.net
_______________________
The State
Columbia, SC
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/columnists/john_monk/11566702.htm
Posted on Thu, May. 05, 2005
Senators debate rights of embryos
by John Monk
News columnist
Opponents clashed Wednesday in the kickoff of the state Senate’s debate of one of this year’s most contentious topics the rights of the unborn.
“These bills are not about abortion,” declared leadoff witness Sen. Mike Fair, R-Greenville, testifying at a Senate hearing on bills that would bestow citizenship rights on a fertilized egg within minutes of conception.
[CCL note: Senator Mike Fair (R-Greenville) is the primary sponsor of S.111.]
[CCL note: should read: "... on human embryo at conception (fertilization)."]
“These bills are to clarify the fact that an unborn child is an unborn child and becomes such at fertilization,” Fair said at a Judiciary subcommittee meeting.
Minutes later, witness No. 2 Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg denounced Fair’s position. The bills are all about abortion, Hutto said, and will spark numerous lawsuits to protect just-conceived embryos. “That is the whole emphasis behind this bill.”
Over the next 40 minutes, witnesses served up clashing religious, medical and political viewpoints over whether to grant citizenship rights to just-conceived embryos. Under the bills, embryos could not be “deprived of life without due process of law.”
Kathryn Luchok, a health professor at the USC School of Public Health, said the bills would take the right to choose an abortion away from a woman and let a “third party” decide.
[CCL note: This article fails to mention that Dr. Luchok's name was listed on the Subcommittee sign-in sheet with a block of five women from Planned Parenthood, right after Dr. Renee Carter's name, with whom Dr. Luchok paired up with at thewitness table as Dr. Carter and Dr. Luchok testified side-by-side against the bill.]A sixth woman from the Planned Parenthood of South Carolina Board was also on the sign-up sheet,]
[CCL note: Here is a good illustration why taxpayer money should not be spent toaugment the budgets of universities like the University of South Carolina (USC), Clemson University, etc. - Christian pro-life taxpayers are being forced to fund the salaries of pro-abortion professors teaching young people in South Carolina !]
Luchok was grilled by Sen. Randy Scott, R-Dorchester, after she said pregnant women should have the right to choose an abortion.
“How about her husband and the child?” asked Scott, who wondered whether they had rights, too.
“I believe most women do consult with their partner,” Luchok said.
Abortion opponent Robert Hayes, director of the S.C. League of the South, told subcommittee members the male sperm and the female egg must not be aborted once they are joined. “South Carolina must protect innocent life,” he said.
Under questioning by Sen. Joel Lourie, D-Richland, Hayes also said South Carolina would be better off as an independent nation. Federal laws allowing abortion are unconstitutional, he said. (In a 1972 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court said a woman has a constitutional right to choose to have an abortion.)
[CCL note: The U.S. Supreme Court's unconstitutional, Oath-breaking, Covenant-breaking Roe v. Wade decision was issued in 1973.]
Another issue raised Wednesday is whether to bestow legal protections upon embryos for matters other than abortion.
Abortion opponent Holly Gatling said a pregnant woman can be beaten and miscarry, but if the unborn child is less than 24 weeks old, the assailant can’t be charged with the death.
[CCL note: There were three bills on the Senate Subcommittee's agenda: S.111 (original version of the RTL Act of SC, vesting legal "personhood" for all pre-birth human beings); H.3213 (RTL Act of SC passed by the S.C. House on April 14, now amended with the 'fatal flaw' rape EXCEPTION language), and S.479 (bill supported by S.C. Citizens for Life (the S.C. chapter of NRL) that recognizes fetal "personhood" in certain limited areas of law, but specifically not in the area of abortion; saying this S.C. Citizens for Life bill "does not apply to a mother's right to privacy" (her alleged 'right' to murder her child), "to a lawful procedure performed by a physician or other licensed medical professional at the request of the mother of an unborn child or the mother's legal guardian" (child-murder by surgical abortion to cut-up, pull apart, or saline poison the pre-born baby to death), "or to the lawful dispensation or administration oflawfully prescribed medication" (including the 'hard-core' abortifacient drug RU-486, or so-called "Morning-After-Pills" which are both abortifacient and contraceptive in their functionality, or other chemical abortion causing drugs, like Depo-Provera and Birth Control Pills (both are multi-functional).
At this Senate Judiciary Subcommittee public hearing, both H.3213 and S.111, the two versions of the Right to Life Act of SC, were on the agenda. The version of the Right to Life Act of SC without the rape exception amendment added before the vote on Second Reading in the SC House on April 13, had the support of at least these three orgainizations: Columbia Christians for Life, Voice of the Unborn, and the S.C. League of the South. H.3213 and S.111 can be seen on-line with links form the homepage of www.ChristianLifeandLiberty.net. Updates and action items in support of the bill can be seen at www.RighttoLifeActofSC.net.
The Unborn Victim's Act, S.479, is supported by S.C. Citizens for Life (NRL chapter),and can be viewed at: www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/bills/479.htm ]
Under one bill considered Wednesday, an assailant could face criminal charges for causing the miscarriage of an unborn child younger than 24 weeks old.
Subcommittee chair Sen. Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg, cut short the hearing because senators had to go into session. He promised to hold another hearing.
At the next hearing, Lourie said he would like to hear from an impartial legal expert from the USC law school. “The expert could tell us about current South Carolina law and what the implications would be if these bills passed.”
Last month, a right-to-life bill breezed through the S.C. House.
Since then, thanks to a controversial amendment offered by bill opponent Rep. Thayer Rivers, D-Jasper, medical and some women’s rights advocates have questioned the proposal.
Rivers’ amendment, which the House approved, said a rape victim could take a morning-after pill to end or prevent a pregnancy.
[CCL note: "Morning-After-Pills," which are just high-doses of birth control chemicals, have three functioning mechanisms, two are contraceptive, one is chemically abortifacient, just like Birth Control Pills. See article on the subject at the Pharmacists For Life Int'l website at: www.pfli.org/begin108.html ]
The amendment infuriates abortion opponents. They hold that all human life even if the result of rape is sacred.
[CCL note: The rape EXCEPTION amendment 'fatally flaws' the entire bill because it undermines the whole legal "personhood" concept / strategy uponwhich the bill is based. This is a primary reason why the Texas law challenged in the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision was overturned, because it too had an"EXCEPTION," which helped fatally undermine the legal argument that Texasattempted to make for fetal personhood. This is all documented in the text anda germaine Footnote of the Roe decision itself. See entire text of Roe decision on-line at: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=410&invol=113 ]
However, medical groups said doctors should be able to prescribe morning-after pills, a legal drug, to all women, not just rape victims. Some women’s rights advocates have said incest victims or women whose lives are at risk from pregnancy could not have an abortion under the bills.
Dr. Renee Carter of Charleston testified Wednesday that if these bills are passed, a doctor performing an abortion to save a woman’s life might face murder charges. “That I could be charged with murder is inconceivable.”
[CCL note: How ironic that someone associated with Planned Parenthood (Murder, Inc.),finds it inconceivable she could be charged with murder.]
[CCL note: Again, this article fails to mention that Dr. Renee Carter's name ledthe list of a block of five women from Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthoodoperates the only remaining free-standing child-murder mill in Columbia, S.C.(the Lord has shut down four other abortuaries here since 1995), and last year reported murdering over 1,400 pre-birth human beings by surgical abortion alone in their death camp located in Middleburg Park, just off Forest Drive. Since 1978, PP in Columbia has likewise murdered over 25,000 individuals who have grown and matured WEEKS past what The State newspaper here calls "fertilized eggs."The Bible says in Hosea 4:1 that the Lord has a controversy with the rebellious, wicked people in the land in that day (like America today). One of God's indictments upon thispeople was, "... there is no truth,..." Think about that as you consider the statements of false witness given by various individuals in this article - no wonder in America that,"... blood toucheth blood." (Hosea 4:2), or bloodshed follows bloodshed. We sow,we reap. We sow bloodshed in the womb; we reap bloodshed in homes, on the streets, in workplaces, in churches, in schools, in the World Trade Towers.]
© 2005 The State and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.http://www.thestate.com
May 01, 2005
Letter to 4 Members of Senator Jim Ritchie's Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee vis-a-vis the "Right to Life Act of SC" - H.3213 / S.111
Columbia Christians for Life
P.O. Box 50358, Columbia, S.C. 29250 * (803) 765-0916 * www.christianlifeandliberty.net
“… I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Matthew 16:18
To: Members (4) of Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee: May 1, 2005
1) Senator Jim Ritchie, chairman (R-Spartanburg)
2) Senator Luke Rankin (R-Myrtle Beach / Conway)
3) Senator Randy Scott (R-Summerville)
4) Senator Joel Lourie (D-Columbia)
Fr: Steve Lefemine
dir., Columbia Christians for Life / http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/ / http://www.righttolifeactofsc.net/
Subject: The “Right to Life Act of South Carolina” – H.3213 / S.111 (upcoming hearing May 4)
Re: The Purpose of the Right to Life Act of SC is to Vest Legal ‘Personhood’ at Fertilization to Pre-Birth Human Beings under the South Carolina State Constitution – without any so-called ‘EXCEPTIONS’ – which would ‘fatally flaw’ the entire bill in logic and law.
Request: Removal of the Rape EXCEPTION for so-called "morning-after-pill" abortifacient(chemical abortion causing) Amendment added at Second Reading in House, when H.3213 and S.111 is taken up by Senator Ritchie's Subcommittee of the Senate
Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, May 4, at 11 AM in Room 207, Gressette Bldg
Dear Gentlemen,
This letter will attempt to explain why the text of the Roe v. Wade decision itself, and the germaine footnote in the Roe v. Wade decision itself by (pro-abortion) Justice Harry Blackmun includes the following assertions in the Roe framework, as adjudicated and issued as the Supreme Court’s Opinion
on January 22, 1973:
Assertions in framework of Roe v. Wade decision:
1. Vesting legal "personhood" at fertilization unravels ("collapses" in the words of the Roe decision itself, see below) the pro-abortion argument, and;
2. Conversely, why any so-called "EXCEPTIONS" to legal "personhood" unravel the whole "personhood" argument, which is what happened to the state of Texas over 30 years ago when the State of Texas tried to argue for "personhood" and failed because of a "life-of-the-mother"exception in the Texas law challenged in Roe.
The original text of the "Right to Life Act of South Carolina" (H.3213 / S.111) states its purpose is:TO ENACT THE "RIGHT TO LIFE ACT OF SOUTH CAROLINA" WHICH ESTABLISHES THAT THE RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS AND THE RIGHT TO EQUAL PROTECTION VEST
AT FERTILIZATION…
Whereas, Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1895, guarantees that no person may be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law or denied the equal protection of the laws;…
Section 1-1-320. The right to due process, whereby no person may be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, and the right to equal protection of the laws, both of which rights are guaranteed by Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution of this State, vest at fertilization."
Yesterday in The State paper there was an article on the Right to Life Act of SC and the rape EXCEPTION so-called "morning-after-pill" abortifacient (chemical abortion causing) Amendment. This amendment ‘fatally flaws’ the bill, and makes it logically nonsensical and legally indefensible (just as the Texas law in the 1973 Roe case was determined to be logically nonsensical and legally indefensible, as is documented in the text and the germaine footnote of the Roe decision itself).
The amended House version of the bill must be corrected, or the bill must be killed. It will do more harm than good if passed with the fatally flawed, dead-end rape EXCEPTION amendment.
As even a well-known children's book series has said, A person's a person no matter how small. The whole concept of this bill is to establish legal "personhood" for all pre-birth human beings at fertilization - either a human being is a legal "person" at fertilization, or they are not. This is one time when there is no “middle ground” – choose where you will stand – on the side of “life” and the Lord of life, or against the sanctity of all innocent human life expressed in the Bible, the Declaration, and the Constitution.
An "exception" to legal “personhood” for some human beings makes no sense in logic or law.
This was the same mistake the State of Texas made with the law challenged in the 1973 Roe v Wade case. There was a life-of-the-mother" exception. Texas tried to make the "personhood" argument, but even pro-abort Justice Harry Blackmun saw the logical and legal inconsistency as Texas tried to argue for fetal personhood when there was an "exception." Blackmun said in a footnote recorded right in the text of the Roe v. Wade decision itself:
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=410&invol=113
From the Roe v. Wade decision:
“[ 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. The exception contained [410 U.S. 113, 158] in Art. 1196, for an abortion procured or attempted by medical advice for the purpose of saving the life of the mother, is typical. 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? ...”
[Footnote by Justice Blackmun]
[emphasis added]
So, in other words, the life-of-the-mother EXCEPTION in the Texas law appealed in what became the abominable 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, helped to undermine the case that the State of Texas tried to make for fetal personhood under the Fourteenth Amendment (note: it would be better to make the argument under the 5th Amendment), and helped open the blood-stained floodgates to over 45 million dead and counting... from surgical abortion alone.
The South Carolina Right to Life Act would suffer the same fate as the Texas law appealed in Roe, for having a rape EXCEPTION for the abortifacient (chemical abortion causing) so-called "morning-after-pill" that has a mechanism to prevent post-fertilization one-week old embryos from being able to properly implant in the mother's uterus, thereby causing a one-week old pre-birth human being, with its complete genetic blueprint determined at fertlization seven days earlier, to be sloughed off, and purged from the woman's body, thereby killing her week-old son or daughter. [Go to http://www.pfli.org/, the Pharmacist’s for Life International website for further information - www.pfli.org/begin108.html (article on morning-after-pill ]
The critical nature of maintaining the integrity of the vestment of legal "personhood' for all human beings, without EXCEPTION, is seen by the result which came when the State of Texas failed to make the case for legal "personhood" - i.e., the Supreme Court handed down the abominable Roe decision that has brought our country to the brink of destruction with the flood of innocent blood being shed and the accompanying divine judgment from God upon America (e.g., Numbers 35:33, Jeremiah 19:3-5, 2 Kings 24:1-4). The Bible says “…blood toucheth blood.” (Hosea 4:2), or bloodshed follows bloodshed. We sow, we reap.
As someone else has said, "The Supreme Court, in the Roe v. Wade Decision itself, provided a way to overturn their decision."
www.solport.com/roundtable/archives/000472.php
Again, this time in the main body of the text of the Roe v. Wade decision, the Supreme Court stated:
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=410&invol=113
A. The appellee [Texas] and certain amici argue that the fetus is a "person" within the language and meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment. In support of this, they outline at length and in detail the well-known facts of fetal development. If this suggestion of personhood is established, the appellant's case [i.e., Norma McCorvey, the former “Jane Roe” who is now completely pro-life and who appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn her 30-plus years old case], of course, collapses, [410 U.S. 113, 157] for the fetus' right to life would then be guaranteed specifically by the [Fourteenth] Amendment.
[ emphasis added]
So, in other words, if the "Right to Life Act of South Carolina" is passed without any exceptions, it would accomplish what was missing in the Texas law that was challenged and became the Roe decision – the South Carolina Right to Life Act would define in law that all pre-birth human beings are legal "persons" at fertilization.
However, if there are any so-called "EXCEPTIONS" to legal "personhood" for any pre-birth human beings, then the South Carolina Right to Life Act would fall dead on its face. It would be internally self-contradictory, and therefore logically nonsensical and legal indefensible just as the Texas law challenged in Roe was over 30 years ago. I guess after 32 years of innocent bloodshed and over 45 million dead, we still have not yet learned the lesson of what is plainly written right in the text of the Roe v. Wade decision.
Gentlemen, I urge you, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Yahshua Messiah), that when you take up this bill this coming Wednesday, May 4th, that you please save this bill (which was conceived in late 1997, and first filed in February 1998 in both the SC House and the Senate), and remove the rape EXCEPTION "morning-after-pill" abortifacient (chemical abortion causing) amendment, restore the bill (H.3213) to its original, unamended condition, and pass the bill favorably out of Senator Ritchie's Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The Declaration of Independence is part of the organic law of the United States of America (United States Code Annotated http://uscode.house.gov/usc.htm (search “Declaration of Independence”). It is posted on the landing of the stairs between the First and Second State House floors on the SC House side.
I take pleasure in reading the words in the very first sentence, that the principal premise asserted by the founders as the basis for America to exist as a separate nation among the Powers of the Earth, was based upon “…the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God…” “Thou shalt not kill [murder]” is one of those “Laws of … God” (Ex. 20:13).
Gentlemen, you have a duty, So Help [you]God, to do your utmost to uphold the plain text of the Declaration of Independence, and the South Carolina and United States Constitutions, to preserve and protect the unalienable right to life. After the acknowledgment of God, it is your first duty as civil ministers. May the Lord be glorified in the process and outcome of the Subcommittee public hearing on May 4.
King Jesus is Lord of the ‘Gates’ (Matt. 16:18, Ps. 24:1,7-10, Ps. 110:1)
Steve Lefemine, pro-life missionary
dir., Columbia Christians for Life
CCL lobbyist
http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/
wwww.RighttoLifeActofSC.net
cc:
Senator Mike Fair (R-Greenville)
Senator Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson)
Senator Larry Grooms (R-Berkeley-Charleston-Colleton-Dorchester)
Senator Wes Hayes (R-York)
Senator David Thomas (R-Greenville)
Senator Danny Verdin (R-Greenville-Laurens)
Rep. Ralph Davenport (R-Spartanburg)
Governor Mark Sanford (R)
Mr. Johnny Gardner, dir., Voice of the Unborn
Inclosures:
1. “Preven will increase, not lower, number of abortions,” by Lloyd J. DuPlantis, P.D., (past) president
Pharmacists For Life International (http://www.pfli.org/). Article explaining that “Morning-After-Pills”
are abortifacient, causing chemical abortions, can be found at: www.pfli.org/begin108.html
2. “Judge Rules Embryos ‘Human Beings,” (Feb. 5, 2005), can be found at CovenantNews.com at:
http://www.covenantnews.com//newswire/archives/009709.html
3. Two pages of excerpts from the United States Supreme Court decision ROE v. WADE, 410 U.S. 113 (1973) – one, addressing that if “personhood” for the “fetus” is established, the pro-abortion argument “collapses;” and the second page, addressing that in light of the “life of the mother” exception in the Texas law challenged in Roe, that the State of Texas argument for personhood under the Fourteenth Amendment was undermined.
4. Brochure: “When it comes to banning abortion… EXCEPTIONS BREAK THE RULE,” by Marie Dietz, published by American Life League, 1992 (reprinted 1996)
April 28, 2005
New Updated Flyer for Right to Life Act of South Carolina (H.3213/S.111) -April 28, 2005
TAKE ACTION TO PASS the "Right to Life Act of South Carolina"
Now is the time for action !
1. Pray* (if you are a born-again Christian)
2. Call
3. Inform others
4. E-mail
5. Write
6. Lobby
7. Donate
* as you are led of the Lord, you might also consider fasting between now and Wednesday, May 4th, whether a regular complete fast (water-only),or some form of a partial fast.
UPDATE:
1. The Right to Life Act of SC passed the S.C. House of Representatives on, April 13, with 52 House co-sponsors, by a vote of 95-18 on Second Reading, albeit with a 'fatal flaw' rape EXCEPTION by a so-called 'morning-after-pill' (which is an abortifacient causing chemical abortions) amendment that was unfortunately added to the bill.
2. On April 14, H.3213 again passed in the S.C. House on Third Reading by a vote of 91-10, and was sent to the SC Senate, where it was later assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
3. The next step is a public hearing in a Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee, that is scheduled for next Wednesday, May 4, in Room 207, Gressette (Senate office) Bldg. (behind the SC State House bldg.) at 11:00 AM. If you would like to come and stand in support of this bill, please come by 10:45 AM and look for someone handing out lapel tags and pins indicating your support.
There are 46 total members in the full Senate (26 R's, 20 D's). There are only four members in the Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee which is holding the public hearing on S.111 and H.3213 on Wednesday, May 4th. The committee is comprised of THREE REPUBLICANS and ONE DEMOCRAT. There are at present only6 Republican co-sponsors of S.111 in the SC Senate (out of the 26 Republican Senators), and none of these six (Senators Fair, Bryant, Grooms, Thomas, Verdin and Hayes) are members of this four-man Subcommittee holding the public hearing on Wednesday, May 4.
Please contact one or more of the three Republican Senators listedbelow who are on this Subcommittee conducting the public hearing, and ask them to support and vote for the wording of the Right to LifeAct in its original form, without the rape EXCEPTION. Give them both the House and Senate bill #'s: H.3213 and S.111. These Senators can remove the 'fatal flaw' rape EXCEPTION Amendment that was added in the SC House and still, Lord willing, save this bill !
On Wednesday, April 13, with 52 House co-sponsors, the RTL Act of SC (H.3213) passed the S.C. House of Representatives by a vote of 95 - 18 on Second Reading, albeit with a ‘fatal flaw’ rape EXCEPTION by a so-called ‘morning-after-pill’ (an abortifacient causing chemical abortions) amendment that was added to the bill.
On April 14, H.3213 passed on Third Reading by a vote of 91 - 10, and was sent to the SC Senate, where it was later assigned to the Judiciary Comm.
While we praise and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ for the bill’s progress, the rape EXCEPTION unravels the whole legal ‘personhood’ concept of the bill (just as a life-of-the-mother EXCEPTION in the Texas statute overturned in Roe v. Wade helped undermine the case for legal ‘personhood’ Texas tried to make over 30 years ago). CONCLUSION: The rape ‘exception’ must be removed, or the bill must be killed.
The next step is a public hearing in a Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee, that is scheduled for next Wednesday, May 4, in Rm. 207, Gressette (Senate office) Bldg. at 11:00 AM.
There are presently only 6 co-sponsors of the Senate companion bill (S.111), which is still in its original form (i.e., without the rape EXCEPTION amendment like on H.3213). BOTH H.3213 and S.111 are on the agenda for May 4. You can help by contacting, first, at least one of the three REPUBLICAN senators who are members of this four-man Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee: Please call / write / e-mail / fax these men by NLT Tuesday, May 3rd:
Sen. Jim Ritchie, chair. (R-Spartanburg)
Sen. Randy Scott (R-Summerville)
Sen. Luke Rankin (R-Myrtle Beach)
Sen. Joel Lourie (D-Columbia)
Please contact the three Republicans first, then contact Democrat Senator Joel Lourie.
The Republicans outnumber the one Democrat by 3 votes to 1 vote.
Please focus on contacting the three Republicans first. When you call/write/e-mail/or fax these state senators, ask them to support and vote for the language of the Right to Life Act of SC in its original form, without the rape EXCEPTION. Give them both House/Senate bill #’s: H.3213 and S.111. These Senators can remove the ‘fatal flaw’ Amendment and still, Lord willing, save this bill.
If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, pray God would turn the hearts of all 4 members of this Senate Subcomm. (3 R's, 1 D) to support the RTL Act of SC in its original form without the rape EXCEPTION.
The "Right to Life Act of South Carolina", if passed by the Republican-majority SC Legislature, and if signed by Republican SC Governor Mark Sanford, would recognize the God-given, legal ‘personhood’ of pre-birth human beings at fertilization under the SC State Constitution. See link to bill at ChristianLifeandLiberty.net
Contact info for SC Senators: Jim Ritchie (R), Randy Scott (R), Luke Rankin (R), & Joel Lourie (D):
NOTE:
All Senators can be faxed at 803-212-6299 include the Senator’s name on whatever you fax !
Senator James H. "Jim" Ritchie, Jr.
District 13 - Greenville, Spartanburg & Union Cos.
Contact Address: E-Mail Address: JHR@scsenate.org
(H) 302 South Pine St., Spartanburg, 29302
Bus. (864) 585-2275 Home (864) 585-6047
(C) 608 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6008/6032
Senator Randy Scott
District 38 - Charleston & Dorchester Cos.
Contact Address: E-Mail Address: SCOTTR@scsenate.org
(H) 107 Cleveland St., Summerville, 29483
Bus. (843) 873-5544 Home (843) 871-2964
(C) 606 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6024
Senator Luke A. Rankin, Sr.
District 33 - Horry Co.
Contact Address: E-Mail Address: LR@scsenate.org
(H) 201 Beaty St., Conway, 29526
Bus. (843) 248-2405 Home (843) 626-6269
(C) 508 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6132
Senator Joel Lourie
District 22 - Kershaw & Richland Cos.
Contact Address: E-Mail Address: JBL@scsenate.org
(H) P.O. Box 6212, Columbia, 29260
Bus. (803) 765-9200 ext.257 Home (803) 787-5802
(C) 504 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6116
_____________________________________________
Prepared by Columbia Christians for Life
* http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/ http://www.righttolifeactofsc.net/ *
(803) 765-0916 * Columbia, SC
____________________________________________
If you wish to contribute to Columbia Christians for Life, go to
http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/ and click on "Support" for further
information (contributions are not tax deductible)
Now is the time for action !
1. Pray* (if you are a born-again Christian)
2. Call
3. Inform others
4. E-mail
5. Write
6. Lobby
7. Donate
* as you are led of the Lord, you might also consider fasting between now and Wednesday, May 4th, whether a regular complete fast (water-only),or some form of a partial fast.
UPDATE:
1. The Right to Life Act of SC passed the S.C. House of Representatives on, April 13, with 52 House co-sponsors, by a vote of 95-18 on Second Reading, albeit with a 'fatal flaw' rape EXCEPTION by a so-called 'morning-after-pill' (which is an abortifacient causing chemical abortions) amendment that was unfortunately added to the bill.
2. On April 14, H.3213 again passed in the S.C. House on Third Reading by a vote of 91-10, and was sent to the SC Senate, where it was later assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
3. The next step is a public hearing in a Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee, that is scheduled for next Wednesday, May 4, in Room 207, Gressette (Senate office) Bldg. (behind the SC State House bldg.) at 11:00 AM. If you would like to come and stand in support of this bill, please come by 10:45 AM and look for someone handing out lapel tags and pins indicating your support.
There are 46 total members in the full Senate (26 R's, 20 D's). There are only four members in the Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee which is holding the public hearing on S.111 and H.3213 on Wednesday, May 4th. The committee is comprised of THREE REPUBLICANS and ONE DEMOCRAT. There are at present only6 Republican co-sponsors of S.111 in the SC Senate (out of the 26 Republican Senators), and none of these six (Senators Fair, Bryant, Grooms, Thomas, Verdin and Hayes) are members of this four-man Subcommittee holding the public hearing on Wednesday, May 4.
Please contact one or more of the three Republican Senators listedbelow who are on this Subcommittee conducting the public hearing, and ask them to support and vote for the wording of the Right to LifeAct in its original form, without the rape EXCEPTION. Give them both the House and Senate bill #'s: H.3213 and S.111. These Senators can remove the 'fatal flaw' rape EXCEPTION Amendment that was added in the SC House and still, Lord willing, save this bill !
____________________________________
FLYER - see Attachment below for properly formatted version for use as a one-page hand-out for distribution.
______________________________________
FLYER - see Attachment below for properly formatted version for use as a one-page hand-out for distribution.
______________________________________
(4/28/05)
TAKE ACTION TO PASS the
"Right to Life Act of South Carolina"
On Wednesday, April 13, with 52 House co-sponsors, the RTL Act of SC (H.3213) passed the S.C. House of Representatives by a vote of 95 - 18 on Second Reading, albeit with a ‘fatal flaw’ rape EXCEPTION by a so-called ‘morning-after-pill’ (an abortifacient causing chemical abortions) amendment that was added to the bill.
On April 14, H.3213 passed on Third Reading by a vote of 91 - 10, and was sent to the SC Senate, where it was later assigned to the Judiciary Comm.
While we praise and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ for the bill’s progress, the rape EXCEPTION unravels the whole legal ‘personhood’ concept of the bill (just as a life-of-the-mother EXCEPTION in the Texas statute overturned in Roe v. Wade helped undermine the case for legal ‘personhood’ Texas tried to make over 30 years ago). CONCLUSION: The rape ‘exception’ must be removed, or the bill must be killed.
The next step is a public hearing in a Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee, that is scheduled for next Wednesday, May 4, in Rm. 207, Gressette (Senate office) Bldg. at 11:00 AM.
There are presently only 6 co-sponsors of the Senate companion bill (S.111), which is still in its original form (i.e., without the rape EXCEPTION amendment like on H.3213). BOTH H.3213 and S.111 are on the agenda for May 4. You can help by contacting, first, at least one of the three REPUBLICAN senators who are members of this four-man Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee: Please call / write / e-mail / fax these men by NLT Tuesday, May 3rd:
Sen. Jim Ritchie, chair. (R-Spartanburg)
Sen. Randy Scott (R-Summerville)
Sen. Luke Rankin (R-Myrtle Beach)
Sen. Joel Lourie (D-Columbia)
Please contact the three Republicans first, then contact Democrat Senator Joel Lourie.
The Republicans outnumber the one Democrat by 3 votes to 1 vote.
Please focus on contacting the three Republicans first. When you call/write/e-mail/or fax these state senators, ask them to support and vote for the language of the Right to Life Act of SC in its original form, without the rape EXCEPTION. Give them both House/Senate bill #’s: H.3213 and S.111. These Senators can remove the ‘fatal flaw’ Amendment and still, Lord willing, save this bill.
If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, pray God would turn the hearts of all 4 members of this Senate Subcomm. (3 R's, 1 D) to support the RTL Act of SC in its original form without the rape EXCEPTION.
The "Right to Life Act of South Carolina", if passed by the Republican-majority SC Legislature, and if signed by Republican SC Governor Mark Sanford, would recognize the God-given, legal ‘personhood’ of pre-birth human beings at fertilization under the SC State Constitution. See link to bill at ChristianLifeandLiberty.net
Contact info for SC Senators: Jim Ritchie (R), Randy Scott (R), Luke Rankin (R), & Joel Lourie (D):
NOTE:
All Senators can be faxed at 803-212-6299 include the Senator’s name on whatever you fax !
Senator James H. "Jim" Ritchie, Jr.
District 13 - Greenville, Spartanburg & Union Cos.
Contact Address: E-Mail Address: JHR@scsenate.org
(H) 302 South Pine St., Spartanburg, 29302
Bus. (864) 585-2275 Home (864) 585-6047
(C) 608 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6008/6032
Senator Randy Scott
District 38 - Charleston & Dorchester Cos.
Contact Address: E-Mail Address: SCOTTR@scsenate.org
(H) 107 Cleveland St., Summerville, 29483
Bus. (843) 873-5544 Home (843) 871-2964
(C) 606 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6024
Senator Luke A. Rankin, Sr.
District 33 - Horry Co.
Contact Address: E-Mail Address: LR@scsenate.org
(H) 201 Beaty St., Conway, 29526
Bus. (843) 248-2405 Home (843) 626-6269
(C) 508 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6132
Senator Joel Lourie
District 22 - Kershaw & Richland Cos.
Contact Address: E-Mail Address: JBL@scsenate.org
(H) P.O. Box 6212, Columbia, 29260
Bus. (803) 765-9200 ext.257 Home (803) 787-5802
(C) 504 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202
Bus. (803) 212-6116
_____________________________________________
Prepared by Columbia Christians for Life
* http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/ http://www.righttolifeactofsc.net/ *
(803) 765-0916 * Columbia, SC
____________________________________________
If you wish to contribute to Columbia Christians for Life, go to
http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/ and click on "Support" for further
information (contributions are not tax deductible)
April 15, 2005
South Carolina House Passes Personhood Bill (albeit, with fatal flaw amendment)
The South Carolina House passed the "Right to Life Act of SC" (H.3213) recognizing pre-birth human beings as "persons" at fertilization on April 13, by a vote of 95 to 18 (Second Reading). However a killer Amendment was added at the beginning of the House floor debate (by voice vote) for a rape "morning-after-pill" EXCEPTION, which fatally flaws the bill. The bill has now been sent to the South Carolina Senate, where efforts will be made, Lord willing, to remove the internally self-contradictory EXCEPTION to establishing personhood at fertilization for all pre-birth human beings.
April 15, 2005
Steve Lefemine, pro-life missionary
dir., Columbia Christians for Life
CCL lobbyist
Columbia, SC
www.christianlifeandliberty.net
www.righttolifeactofsc.net
------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.covenantnews.com/abortion/archives/011434.html
House Passes Personhood Bill
The state House on Wednesday approved a bill that its primary sponsor, Rep. Ralph Davenport, says sends a message that South Carolina is a pro-life state. The bill extends the right to due process and the right to equal protection under the law to unborn children at the moment of fertilization. "This creates a situation that at conception there is personhood," said Davenport, R-Boiling Springs. "It gives babies rights that they had not had before in South Carolina."
Posted by Editor at April 14, 2005 11:04 AM
---------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.covenantnews.com/newswire/archives/011416.html
April 14, 2005
South Carolina House Bill Extends Rights To Unborn
Personhood Bill Passes in South Carolina House
COLUMBIA -- The state House on Wednesday approved a bill that its primary sponsor, Rep. Ralph Davenport, says sends a message that South Carolina is a pro-life state.
The bill extends the right to due process and the right to equal protection under the law to unborn children at the moment of fertilization.
"This creates a situation that at conception there is personhood," said Davenport, R-Boiling Springs. "It gives babies rights that they had not had before in South Carolina."
Davenport said that abortion is being used as a "tool of convenience."
"A woman has rights like anybody else," Davenport said. "When they involve themselves in certain situations and a human being is created, those rights end."
Kim Forde-Mazrui, an associate professor of law specializing in constitutional law at the University of Virginia, said the bill was lawful, but only to a limited degree.
He said current case law allows states to treat unborn fetuses as human beings as long as it doesn't interfere with a women's constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy.
"It would have no force and effect," Forde-Mazrui said. "Her constitutional right trumps state law."
Forde-Mazrui said the law would allow the state to prosecute someone for murder if they assaulted a pregnant woman and the fetus died.
House members approved an amendment that would allow a woman who was raped to receive a "morning-after pill" to prevent pregnancy. Davenport said he didn't attempt to kill the amendment because the bill would receive more votes with it attached.
The House passed the bill by a 95-18 vote.
"This sends a strong message to the Senate that this is a bill they are going to have to deal with," Davenport said.
Rep. Brenda Lee, D-Spartanburg, Davenport's longtime deskmate, voted against the bill.
"I've always voted against such bills," Lee said. "I'm adamant about that. Me being a woman, I should have the right to choose."
Lee said the bill sets the stage for South Carolina to outlaw abortions if Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that upheld a woman's right to have an abortion, is ever overturned.
Kate Landishaw of Lyman, the South Carolina coordinator for a national effort to pass the Equal Rights Amendment, said the bill is "once again men telling women how to live their lives."
Becci Robbins, communications director for the Lexington-based South Carolina Progressive Network, agreed.
"If this isn't government intrusion, I don't know what is," she said. "Ironically it's a Republican-led effort, and Republicans claim to be the party of less government."
http://www.goupstate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050414/NEWS/504140347/1051/NEWS01
Posted by Editor at April 14, 2005 08:41 AM
April 12, 2005
UPDATE on "Right to Life Act of South Carolina" (H.3213) - April 12, 2005
___________________________________________
1) The Right to Life Act of South Carolina (H.3213) was placed on the "contested" calendar today, and has a strong likelihood of debate beginning on the bill after the SC House finishes the "uncontested" part of the calendar, on Wednesday, April 13.
2) Five additional new co-sponsors signed on today, bringing the total to 51 co-sponsors (46 Republicans, 5 Democrats). The SC House has a total of 124 members, so that mathematically, 63 votes would constitute a majority if all members voted. Therefore, if all 51 co-sponsors were to be present and voting for the bill, we would need an additional 12 votes to assure passage if all 124 members of the SC House voted. [note: there had been a question of whether or not Rep. Dantzler had signed onto the bill, and so his name had not been reported or counted in previous reports; it has now been verified that he is a co-sponsor; most likely, he signed on back in February]
H. 3213 - STATUS INFORMATION:
Sponsors: Reps. Davenport, Vaughn, Toole, Tripp, Vick, Simrill, Bingham, J.R. Smith, Rice, Talley, G. Brown, Barfield, Owens, M.A. Pitts, G.R. Smith, Hamilton, White, Clark, Walker, Pinson, Loftis, Leach, McGee, W.D. Smith, Viers, Cato, Perry, Delleney, Altman, Cooper, Dantzler, Haskins, Huggins, Littlejohn, Hiott, Mahaffey, Wilkins, Merrill, D.C. Smith, Herbkersman, Bailey, Ceips, J. Brown, G.M. Smith, Weeks, Coates, F.N. Smith, E.H. Pitts, Thompson, Young and Duncan
3) The bill appeared on the SC House calendar last Thursday (April 7), after having passed the full Judiciary Committee April 5 by a 15-5 vote, and was then reported to the House as having received a favorable Judiciary Committee report, on April 6. A point-of-order 24-hour rule invoked on April 7 put the bill back to the next meeting of the SC House, which was today, Tuesday, April 12.
4) When the bill came up on the uncontested calendar today (approx. 12:40 PM), it was introduced by Rep. Greg Delleney, chairman of the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee (and a co-sponsor of the bill). It was then opposed by Rep. Thayer Rivers (D), who had also spoken articulately against the bill in the Judiciary Committee meeting on April 5. Rep. Rivers (D-Beaufort/Hampton/Jasper Counties) was one of the 5 who voted against the bill in the Judiciary Committee meeting. Rep. Rivers has been outspoken now in two forums against this bill. It might be helpful if people in Beaufort/Hampton/Jasper Counties, particularly in his district (District # 122), would express their concern to him about his opposition to the Right to Life Act of SC (H.3213) [his contact information is given at the end of this e-mail below - call/e-mail/fax TODAY !] On the other hand, persons outside his district can certainly call and e-mail him as well. Be polite. Express to him your concern for his lack of respect for the sanctity of life of pre-birth human beings. Inform him that as a civil minister (Romans 13:4), it is his first duty, after the acknowledgment of God, to prevent the shedding of innocent blood.
5) After Delleney introduced the bill, and Rivers spoke against the bill, then 7 legislators were recorded as "requesting debate," on the bill, which places it on the "contested" part of the House calendar. If the SC House finishes its work on the "uncontested" part of the House calendar tomorrow (Wed., April 13), then the Right to Life Act of SC (H.3213) may be 'first up' for debate on the "contested" part of the calendar. [Those who "requested debate" were: Kennedy, James Smith, Breeland, Miller, Hosey, Jennings, and Mack.]
6) An Opinion of the SC Attorney General was obtained on March 31st, just prior to the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee hearing. It takes the position that the RTL Act of SC is constitutional on-its-face, but, in light of Roe v. Wade, that if the RTL Act of SC were applied to the area of abortion, that it would be unconstitutional. In other words, in a snapshot of the confused, perverse state of American jurisprudence in the day in which we live, the "fetus" would be a legal "person" at fertilization for all purposes in law except if the mother wanted to have her baby killed by a paid murderer (abortionist). For some legislators, this has helped them get past the stumbling block of thinking (erroneously) that Roe v. Wade is the law of the land, and therefore the Right to Life Act of SC is unconstitutional, and so they had refused to support it. Some, by no means all, of the lawyer-legislators have stumbled over this issue. For them, they can apply the SC Attorney General's Opinion, and take the position that the bill on its face is constitutional, and if/when Roe v. Wade is overturned, that means that the very next moment after Roe is overturned, abortion becomes illegal (immediately) in the entire state of South Carolina, if the Right to Life Act of SC is passed by the SC House, the SC Senate, and signed by the Governor into law.
Up until March 30, the day before the SC Attorney General's Opinion was received, there were 41 co-sponsors of the bill. There are now 51 co-sponsors to H.3213.
7) In truth, the Roe v. Wade decision itself states that if legal "personhood" is established for the "fetus" that the pro-abortion argument "collapses," because the right to life of the "fetus" would be protected by the U.S. Constitution. As the SC Attorney General Opinion acknowledges, the Right to Life Act of SC would establish legal personhood at fertilization.
8) If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, please pray for all 124 members of the SC House of Representatives: (Proverb 21:1)
9) Also, I would invite Christians who are so led of the Lord, to consider fasting between now, Tuesday, April 12th, and whenever the bill is voted upon on the floor of the House (most likely Wednesday, April 13), crying out to God in repentance and tears for the Lord to tear down this demonic stronghold of child-murder-by-abortion in our state.
Jesus said there were some devils that "goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
Matthew 17:21
I have been fasting in different modes, and plan to continue. One may practice a normal fast (water only), or some variation as the Lord leads (perhaps juices in addition to water, or perhaps fasting 1 or 2 meals per day instead of all three). Whatever you do, do it in "faith" (Romans 14:23), as unto the Lord, and for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Hallelu-Yah !
April 12, 2005
Steve Lefemine, pro-life missionary
dir., Columbia Christians for Life
CCL lobbyist
Columbia, SC
www.christianlifeandliberty.net
www.righttolifeactofsc.net
____________________________________
Representative R. Thayer Rivers, Jr.
E-Mail Address: rtr@scstatehouse.net
1) The Right to Life Act of South Carolina (H.3213) was placed on the "contested" calendar today, and has a strong likelihood of debate beginning on the bill after the SC House finishes the "uncontested" part of the calendar, on Wednesday, April 13.
2) Five additional new co-sponsors signed on today, bringing the total to 51 co-sponsors (46 Republicans, 5 Democrats). The SC House has a total of 124 members, so that mathematically, 63 votes would constitute a majority if all members voted. Therefore, if all 51 co-sponsors were to be present and voting for the bill, we would need an additional 12 votes to assure passage if all 124 members of the SC House voted. [note: there had been a question of whether or not Rep. Dantzler had signed onto the bill, and so his name had not been reported or counted in previous reports; it has now been verified that he is a co-sponsor; most likely, he signed on back in February]
H. 3213 - STATUS INFORMATION:
Sponsors: Reps. Davenport, Vaughn, Toole, Tripp, Vick, Simrill, Bingham, J.R. Smith, Rice, Talley, G. Brown, Barfield, Owens, M.A. Pitts, G.R. Smith, Hamilton, White, Clark, Walker, Pinson, Loftis, Leach, McGee, W.D. Smith, Viers, Cato, Perry, Delleney, Altman, Cooper, Dantzler, Haskins, Huggins, Littlejohn, Hiott, Mahaffey, Wilkins, Merrill, D.C. Smith, Herbkersman, Bailey, Ceips, J. Brown, G.M. Smith, Weeks, Coates, F.N. Smith, E.H. Pitts, Thompson, Young and Duncan
3) The bill appeared on the SC House calendar last Thursday (April 7), after having passed the full Judiciary Committee April 5 by a 15-5 vote, and was then reported to the House as having received a favorable Judiciary Committee report, on April 6. A point-of-order 24-hour rule invoked on April 7 put the bill back to the next meeting of the SC House, which was today, Tuesday, April 12.
4) When the bill came up on the uncontested calendar today (approx. 12:40 PM), it was introduced by Rep. Greg Delleney, chairman of the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee (and a co-sponsor of the bill). It was then opposed by Rep. Thayer Rivers (D), who had also spoken articulately against the bill in the Judiciary Committee meeting on April 5. Rep. Rivers (D-Beaufort/Hampton/Jasper Counties) was one of the 5 who voted against the bill in the Judiciary Committee meeting. Rep. Rivers has been outspoken now in two forums against this bill. It might be helpful if people in Beaufort/Hampton/Jasper Counties, particularly in his district (District # 122), would express their concern to him about his opposition to the Right to Life Act of SC (H.3213) [his contact information is given at the end of this e-mail below - call/e-mail/fax TODAY !] On the other hand, persons outside his district can certainly call and e-mail him as well. Be polite. Express to him your concern for his lack of respect for the sanctity of life of pre-birth human beings. Inform him that as a civil minister (Romans 13:4), it is his first duty, after the acknowledgment of God, to prevent the shedding of innocent blood.
5) After Delleney introduced the bill, and Rivers spoke against the bill, then 7 legislators were recorded as "requesting debate," on the bill, which places it on the "contested" part of the House calendar. If the SC House finishes its work on the "uncontested" part of the House calendar tomorrow (Wed., April 13), then the Right to Life Act of SC (H.3213) may be 'first up' for debate on the "contested" part of the calendar. [Those who "requested debate" were: Kennedy, James Smith, Breeland, Miller, Hosey, Jennings, and Mack.]
6) An Opinion of the SC Attorney General was obtained on March 31st, just prior to the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee hearing. It takes the position that the RTL Act of SC is constitutional on-its-face, but, in light of Roe v. Wade, that if the RTL Act of SC were applied to the area of abortion, that it would be unconstitutional. In other words, in a snapshot of the confused, perverse state of American jurisprudence in the day in which we live, the "fetus" would be a legal "person" at fertilization for all purposes in law except if the mother wanted to have her baby killed by a paid murderer (abortionist). For some legislators, this has helped them get past the stumbling block of thinking (erroneously) that Roe v. Wade is the law of the land, and therefore the Right to Life Act of SC is unconstitutional, and so they had refused to support it. Some, by no means all, of the lawyer-legislators have stumbled over this issue. For them, they can apply the SC Attorney General's Opinion, and take the position that the bill on its face is constitutional, and if/when Roe v. Wade is overturned, that means that the very next moment after Roe is overturned, abortion becomes illegal (immediately) in the entire state of South Carolina, if the Right to Life Act of SC is passed by the SC House, the SC Senate, and signed by the Governor into law.
Up until March 30, the day before the SC Attorney General's Opinion was received, there were 41 co-sponsors of the bill. There are now 51 co-sponsors to H.3213.
7) In truth, the Roe v. Wade decision itself states that if legal "personhood" is established for the "fetus" that the pro-abortion argument "collapses," because the right to life of the "fetus" would be protected by the U.S. Constitution. As the SC Attorney General Opinion acknowledges, the Right to Life Act of SC would establish legal personhood at fertilization.
8) If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, please pray for all 124 members of the SC House of Representatives: (Proverb 21:1)
9) Also, I would invite Christians who are so led of the Lord, to consider fasting between now, Tuesday, April 12th, and whenever the bill is voted upon on the floor of the House (most likely Wednesday, April 13), crying out to God in repentance and tears for the Lord to tear down this demonic stronghold of child-murder-by-abortion in our state.
Jesus said there were some devils that "goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
Matthew 17:21
I have been fasting in different modes, and plan to continue. One may practice a normal fast (water only), or some variation as the Lord leads (perhaps juices in addition to water, or perhaps fasting 1 or 2 meals per day instead of all three). Whatever you do, do it in "faith" (Romans 14:23), as unto the Lord, and for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Hallelu-Yah !
April 12, 2005
Steve Lefemine, pro-life missionary
dir., Columbia Christians for Life
CCL lobbyist
Columbia, SC
www.christianlifeandliberty.net
www.righttolifeactofsc.net
____________________________________
Contact information for pro-abortion SC House of Representatives member Thayer Rivers:
Representative R. Thayer Rivers, Jr.
District 122 - Beaufort, Hampton & Jasper Cos.
Contact Address:
(H) P.O. Box 104, Ridgeland, 29936
Bus. (843) 726-8136
Home (843) 726-3296
Fax (843) 726-4401
(C) 532D Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29211
Bus. (803) 734-3073
Bus. (843) 726-8136
Home (843) 726-3296
Fax (843) 726-4401
(C) 532D Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29211
Bus. (803) 734-3073
E-Mail Address: rtr@scstatehouse.net
April 07, 2005
New Updated Flyer for Right to Life Act of South Carolina (H.3213) - April 7, 2005
TAKE ACTION TO PASS the "Right to Life Act of South Carolina"
Now is the time for action !
1. Pray (if you are a born-again Christian)
2. Call
3. Inform others
4. E-mail
5. Write
6. Lobby
7. Donate
UPDATE:
1. The Constitutional Laws Subcommittee public hearing for the Right to Life Act of SC (H.3213) was Thursday, March 31. The bill passed by a 3 - 0 vote ! Praise the Lord !
2. The next step was the full House Judiciary Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 5. The bill passed by a 15 - 5 vote ! Glory to Jesus !
3. The next step is debate on the floor of the SC House of Representatives, possibly as soon as Tuesday, April 12 (check the House calendar and House Journal at http://www.scstatehouse.net/ for what is on the agenda for the day (the calendar), and then, after-the-fact, what actually took place during the legislative session (the House Journal)).
There are 124 total members in the full House of Representatives(74 R's, 50 D's). At present there are 43 bill co-sponsors. If all 124 members in the SC House were to vote, then 63 votes would be needed for the bill to pass with a majority.
Please contact one or more of the remaining 33 Republicans listedbelow who have not yet signed up as co-sponsors of the bill, and/orthe selected Democrats, and ask them to vote for the bill.
On Tuesday, April 5, the RTL Act of SC (H.3213) passed the House Judiciary Committee on a 15 5 vote ! We give praise and all glory to the Lord Jesus Christ for the bill’s progress !
The next step, Lord willing, is floor debate of H.3213 in the SC House of Representatives, possibly as soon as Tuesday, April 12 after the House comes back into session at 12 noon. At present there are 45 co-sponsors of the bill in the 124-member House of Representatives [74 R’s, 50 D’s]. Mathematically, 63 votes in support of the bill would assure passage.
Co-sponsors: Reps. Davenport, Vaughn, Toole, Tripp, Vick, Simrill, Bingham, J.R. Smith, Rice, Talley, G. Brown, Barfield, Owens, M.A. Pitts, G.R. Smith, Hamilton, White, Clark, Walker, Pinson, Loftis, Leach, McGee, W.D. Smith, Viers, Cato, Perry, Delleney, Altman, Cooper, Haskins, Huggins, Littlejohn, Hiott, Mahaffey, Wilkins, Merrill, D.C. Smith, Herbkersman, Bailey, Ceips, J. Brown, G.M. Smith, Weeks, Coates.[41 Republicans, 4 Democrats]
You can help by contacting one or more legislators from the list below of 33 Republicans not yet co-sponsoring the RTL Act of SC, and selected Democrats. Please call and/or e-mail these legislators NLT COB Monday, April 11th and ASK THEM TO VOTE FOR the RTL Act of SC:
Rep. Nathan Ballentine (R-Irmo)
Rep. James Lucas (R-Hartsville)
Rep. Joan Brady (R-Columbia)
Rep. Becky Martin (R-Anderson)
Rep. Richard Chalk (R-Hilton Head Island)
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-Rock Hill)
Rep. Converse Chellis (R-Summerville)
Rep. Ted Pitts (R-Lexington)
Rep. Alan Clemmons (R-Myrtle Beach)
Rep. Bill Sandifer (R-Seneca)
Rep. Bill Cotty (R-Columbia)
Rep. Wallace Scarborough (R-Chas.)
Rep. Tom Dantzler (R-Goose Creek)
Rep. Phil Sinclair (R-Spartanburg)
Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-Laurens)
Rep. B.R. Skelton (R-Six Mile)
Rep. Tracy Edge (R-N. Myrtle Beach)
Rep. Jim Stewart (R-Aiken)
Rep. Marion Frye (R-Leesville)
Rep. Adam Taylor (R-Laurens)
Rep. Ben Hagood (R-Sullivan’s Island)
Rep. Michael Thompson (R-And.)
Rep. Nikki Haley (R-Lexington)
Rep. Ronnie Townsend (R-And.)
Rep. Nelson Hardwick (R-Surfside Beach)
Rep. David Umphlett (R-Moncks C.)
Rep. Bobby Harrell (R-Charleston)
Rep. Bill Whitmire (R-Walhalla)
Rep. Jim Harrison (R-Columbia)
Rep. Billy Witherspoon (R-Conway)
Rep. Shirley Hinson (R-Goose Creek)
Rep. Annette Young (R-Summerv’ll)
Rep. Chip Limehouse (R-Charleston)
---------------------------------------------------
Rep. Jerry Govan (D-Orangeburg)
Rep. David Mack (D-N. Charleston)
Rep. Mack Hines (D-Florence)
Rep. Joe Neal (D-Hopkins)
Rep. Doug Jennings (D-Bennettsville)
Rep. Fletcher Smith (D-Greenville)
If they still refuse to vote for the bill, then ask them if they will at least not vote against the bill. Ask them then if they will at least abstain.
If you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, pray that God would turn the hearts of all 124 in the SC House of Representatives (74 R's, 50 D's) to support H.3213 there are 45 co-sponsors at present.
Contact Information for SC House Representatives members:
You may look up SC House member’s e-mail addresses and phone numbers at this website:
[Note: if you write letters at this point, they must be sent to the legislator’s home address, and mailed NLT Saturday, April 9 to reach the legislator’s home by Monday, April 11.]
You can see the text of bill H.3213 from the homepage link at:
http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/
or go to the SC Legislative website at:
www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/bills/3213.htm
____________________________________________
Prepared by Columbia Christians for Life
* http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/ http://www.righttolifeactofsc.net/ *
(803) 765-0916 * Columbia, SC
Now is the time for action !
1. Pray (if you are a born-again Christian)
2. Call
3. Inform others
4. E-mail
5. Write
6. Lobby
7. Donate
UPDATE:
1. The Constitutional Laws Subcommittee public hearing for the Right to Life Act of SC (H.3213) was Thursday, March 31. The bill passed by a 3 - 0 vote ! Praise the Lord !
2. The next step was the full House Judiciary Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 5. The bill passed by a 15 - 5 vote ! Glory to Jesus !
3. The next step is debate on the floor of the SC House of Representatives, possibly as soon as Tuesday, April 12 (check the House calendar and House Journal at http://www.scstatehouse.net/ for what is on the agenda for the day (the calendar), and then, after-the-fact, what actually took place during the legislative session (the House Journal)).
There are 124 total members in the full House of Representatives(74 R's, 50 D's). At present there are 43 bill co-sponsors. If all 124 members in the SC House were to vote, then 63 votes would be needed for the bill to pass with a majority.
Please contact one or more of the remaining 33 Republicans listedbelow who have not yet signed up as co-sponsors of the bill, and/orthe selected Democrats, and ask them to vote for the bill.
-----------------------------------------------------
TAKE ACTION TO PASS the
"Right to Life Act of South Carolina"
South Carolina's pro-life bill to end "legalized" abortion (SC House bill H.3213)On Tuesday, April 5, the RTL Act of SC (H.3213) passed the House Judiciary Committee on a 15 5 vote ! We give praise and all glory to the Lord Jesus Christ for the bill’s progress !
The next step, Lord willing, is floor debate of H.3213 in the SC House of Representatives, possibly as soon as Tuesday, April 12 after the House comes back into session at 12 noon. At present there are 45 co-sponsors of the bill in the 124-member House of Representatives [74 R’s, 50 D’s]. Mathematically, 63 votes in support of the bill would assure passage.
Co-sponsors: Reps. Davenport, Vaughn, Toole, Tripp, Vick, Simrill, Bingham, J.R. Smith, Rice, Talley, G. Brown, Barfield, Owens, M.A. Pitts, G.R. Smith, Hamilton, White, Clark, Walker, Pinson, Loftis, Leach, McGee, W.D. Smith, Viers, Cato, Perry, Delleney, Altman, Cooper, Haskins, Huggins, Littlejohn, Hiott, Mahaffey, Wilkins, Merrill, D.C. Smith, Herbkersman, Bailey, Ceips, J. Brown, G.M. Smith, Weeks, Coates.[41 Republicans, 4 Democrats]
You can help by contacting one or more legislators from the list below of 33 Republicans not yet co-sponsoring the RTL Act of SC, and selected Democrats. Please call and/or e-mail these legislators NLT COB Monday, April 11th and ASK THEM TO VOTE FOR the RTL Act of SC:
Rep. Nathan Ballentine (R-Irmo)
Rep. James Lucas (R-Hartsville)
Rep. Joan Brady (R-Columbia)
Rep. Becky Martin (R-Anderson)
Rep. Richard Chalk (R-Hilton Head Island)
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-Rock Hill)
Rep. Converse Chellis (R-Summerville)
Rep. Ted Pitts (R-Lexington)
Rep. Alan Clemmons (R-Myrtle Beach)
Rep. Bill Sandifer (R-Seneca)
Rep. Bill Cotty (R-Columbia)
Rep. Wallace Scarborough (R-Chas.)
Rep. Tom Dantzler (R-Goose Creek)
Rep. Phil Sinclair (R-Spartanburg)
Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-Laurens)
Rep. B.R. Skelton (R-Six Mile)
Rep. Tracy Edge (R-N. Myrtle Beach)
Rep. Jim Stewart (R-Aiken)
Rep. Marion Frye (R-Leesville)
Rep. Adam Taylor (R-Laurens)
Rep. Ben Hagood (R-Sullivan’s Island)
Rep. Michael Thompson (R-And.)
Rep. Nikki Haley (R-Lexington)
Rep. Ronnie Townsend (R-And.)
Rep. Nelson Hardwick (R-Surfside Beach)
Rep. David Umphlett (R-Moncks C.)
Rep. Bobby Harrell (R-Charleston)
Rep. Bill Whitmire (R-Walhalla)
Rep. Jim Harrison (R-Columbia)
Rep. Billy Witherspoon (R-Conway)
Rep. Shirley Hinson (R-Goose Creek)
Rep. Annette Young (R-Summerv’ll)
Rep. Chip Limehouse (R-Charleston)
---------------------------------------------------
Rep. Jerry Govan (D-Orangeburg)
Rep. David Mack (D-N. Charleston)
Rep. Mack Hines (D-Florence)
Rep. Joe Neal (D-Hopkins)
Rep. Doug Jennings (D-Bennettsville)
Rep. Fletcher Smith (D-Greenville)
If they still refuse to vote for the bill, then ask them if they will at least not vote against the bill. Ask them then if they will at least abstain.
If you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, pray that God would turn the hearts of all 124 in the SC House of Representatives (74 R's, 50 D's) to support H.3213 there are 45 co-sponsors at present.
Contact Information for SC House Representatives members:
You may look up SC House member’s e-mail addresses and phone numbers at this website:
[Note: if you write letters at this point, they must be sent to the legislator’s home address, and mailed NLT Saturday, April 9 to reach the legislator’s home by Monday, April 11.]
You can see the text of bill H.3213 from the homepage link at:
http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/
or go to the SC Legislative website at:
www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/bills/3213.htm
____________________________________________
Prepared by Columbia Christians for Life
* http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/ http://www.righttolifeactofsc.net/ *
(803) 765-0916 * Columbia, SC
April 06, 2005
Preliminary Report on: RTL Act of SC passes House Judiciary Committee - Tuesday, April 5, 2005
The House Judiciary Committee passed (reported out favorably) the Right to Life Act of South Carolina (H.3213) during a meeting Tuesday, April 5, 2005 in the Blatt Building near the SC State House, in Columbia, South Carolina.
Praise the Lord !
The vote on the 25-member House Judiciary Committee was 15 - 5 in favor of passage (with one abstention, and four members absent).
See also story reported on-line at:
http://www.covenantnews.com/abortion/
Pro-Life News
MAKE ABORTION ILLEGAL
April 06, 2005
Committee Passes Personhood Bill
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- An unborn child would have rights to due process and equal protection of the law under a bill passed by the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday. The measure passed on a 15-to-5 vote. It would establish that rights begin "at fertilization."
Posted by Editor at 07:22 AM
------------------------------------------
We give all praise and glory to the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Yahshua Messiah) for this second step of progress in moving the bill through the legislative process.
The next step, Lord willing, is debate (and hopefully, prayerfully, passage) on the floor of the South Carolina House of Representatives. The bill was just reported to the full House assembled today, April 6, as having been reported favorably out of the House Judiciary Committee. It is anticipated that the bill (H.3213) will likely appear on the "uncontested" portion of the House calendar for tomorrow, Thursday, April 7, but that it will in fact then be contested by those (pro-aborts) who oppose the bill. If that is the case, the bill would then be placed on the "contested" calendar, and would likely, Lord willing, come up for actual floor debate on either Tuesday, April 12, or Wednesday, April 13.
You can look at the daily SC House calendars to see if the bill is scheduled at: http://www.scstatehouse.net/hcal/houcal.htm
More information will be sent out later (either later today or tomorrow).
If you support establishing justice for pre-birth human beings and ending so-called "legalized" child-murder-by-abortion, you can help with the ongoing lobbying effort, as we now move to focus on the 124 members (70 R's, 50 D's) of the full SC House of Representatives.
Mathematically, we would need 63 co-sponsors to have a majority of the votes in the full 124-member SC House.
We presently have 43 co-sponsors (40 Republicans, 3 Democrats), We need 20 more votes beyond these 43 co-sponsors !
These are the 43 co-sponsors:
H. 3213
Sponsors: Reps. Davenport, Vaughn, Toole, Tripp, Vick, Simrill, Bingham, J.R. Smith, Rice, Talley, G. Brown, Barfield, Owens, M.A. Pitts, G.R. Smith, Hamilton, White, Clark, Walker, Pinson, Loftis, Leach, McGee, W.D. Smith, Viers, Cato, Perry, Delleney, Altman, Cooper, Haskins, Huggins, Littlejohn, Hiott, Mahaffey, Wilkins, Merrill, D.C. Smith, Herbkersman, Bailey, Ceips, J. Brown and G.M. Smith
These above are the 43 co-sponsors (40 Republicans, 3 Democrats).There are 81 other members of the SC House (34 Republicans and47 Democrats) who are not yet co-sponsors. Some of these have already told us verbally that they will support the bill on the floor of the SC House, however, for targeted legislators, we want to ask pro-life people to contact the targeted legislators (i.e., all the remaining 34 Republicans, and a few selected Democrats), and ask them to: "Please vote for the RTL Act of SC when it comes up for floor debate in the SC House, most likely either Tuesday, April 12, or Wednesday, April 13."
A list of these 34 Republicans and selected Democrats will besent out in the form of a "flyer" later (today or tomorrow), but those who wish to get started lobbying can look for the e-mail addresses, phone numbers, and mailing addresses of any Republican members of the SC House who are not among the 43 co-sponors listed above, at the website URL below:
www.scstatehouse.net/html-pages/housebios.html
There are presently a total of 43 co-sponsors of the bill out of the 124-member SC House of Representatives actually listed on-line with thebill as of this report. The goal is to have 50. To have a "majority-plus-one"for assured passage of the bill in the full SC House, we would need at least63 total votes for the bill.
Praise the Lord !
The vote on the 25-member House Judiciary Committee was 15 - 5 in favor of passage (with one abstention, and four members absent).
See also story reported on-line at:
http://www.covenantnews.com/abortion/
Pro-Life News
MAKE ABORTION ILLEGAL
April 06, 2005
Committee Passes Personhood Bill
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- An unborn child would have rights to due process and equal protection of the law under a bill passed by the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday. The measure passed on a 15-to-5 vote. It would establish that rights begin "at fertilization."
Posted by Editor at 07:22 AM
------------------------------------------
We give all praise and glory to the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Yahshua Messiah) for this second step of progress in moving the bill through the legislative process.
The next step, Lord willing, is debate (and hopefully, prayerfully, passage) on the floor of the South Carolina House of Representatives. The bill was just reported to the full House assembled today, April 6, as having been reported favorably out of the House Judiciary Committee. It is anticipated that the bill (H.3213) will likely appear on the "uncontested" portion of the House calendar for tomorrow, Thursday, April 7, but that it will in fact then be contested by those (pro-aborts) who oppose the bill. If that is the case, the bill would then be placed on the "contested" calendar, and would likely, Lord willing, come up for actual floor debate on either Tuesday, April 12, or Wednesday, April 13.
You can look at the daily SC House calendars to see if the bill is scheduled at: http://www.scstatehouse.net/hcal/houcal.htm
More information will be sent out later (either later today or tomorrow).
If you support establishing justice for pre-birth human beings and ending so-called "legalized" child-murder-by-abortion, you can help with the ongoing lobbying effort, as we now move to focus on the 124 members (70 R's, 50 D's) of the full SC House of Representatives.
Mathematically, we would need 63 co-sponsors to have a majority of the votes in the full 124-member SC House.
We presently have 43 co-sponsors (40 Republicans, 3 Democrats), We need 20 more votes beyond these 43 co-sponsors !
These are the 43 co-sponsors:
H. 3213
Sponsors: Reps. Davenport, Vaughn, Toole, Tripp, Vick, Simrill, Bingham, J.R. Smith, Rice, Talley, G. Brown, Barfield, Owens, M.A. Pitts, G.R. Smith, Hamilton, White, Clark, Walker, Pinson, Loftis, Leach, McGee, W.D. Smith, Viers, Cato, Perry, Delleney, Altman, Cooper, Haskins, Huggins, Littlejohn, Hiott, Mahaffey, Wilkins, Merrill, D.C. Smith, Herbkersman, Bailey, Ceips, J. Brown and G.M. Smith
These above are the 43 co-sponsors (40 Republicans, 3 Democrats).There are 81 other members of the SC House (34 Republicans and47 Democrats) who are not yet co-sponsors. Some of these have already told us verbally that they will support the bill on the floor of the SC House, however, for targeted legislators, we want to ask pro-life people to contact the targeted legislators (i.e., all the remaining 34 Republicans, and a few selected Democrats), and ask them to: "Please vote for the RTL Act of SC when it comes up for floor debate in the SC House, most likely either Tuesday, April 12, or Wednesday, April 13."
A list of these 34 Republicans and selected Democrats will besent out in the form of a "flyer" later (today or tomorrow), but those who wish to get started lobbying can look for the e-mail addresses, phone numbers, and mailing addresses of any Republican members of the SC House who are not among the 43 co-sponors listed above, at the website URL below:
www.scstatehouse.net/html-pages/housebios.html
ALL HOUSE MEMBERS MAILING ADDRESS:
You may also write any Member of the House at:
You may also write any Member of the House at:
Post Office Box 11867
Columbia, S.C. 29211-1867
ALL HOUSE MEMBERS FAX NUMBER:
You may also fax any Member of the House at (make sure "To:" their name is included):
803-734-2925
You can see the text of bill H.3213 from the homepage link at:
or go to SC Legislative website at:
where you can also see an up-to-date list of the bill co-sponsors
There are presently a total of 43 co-sponsors of the bill out of the 124-member SC House of Representatives actually listed on-line with thebill as of this report. The goal is to have 50. To have a "majority-plus-one"for assured passage of the bill in the full SC House, we would need at least63 total votes for the bill.
The 124-member SC House has 74 Republicans and 50 Democrats. So far there are 40 R's and 3 D's co-sponsoring H.3213). So there remain 34 other Republicans in the SC House who are not yet co-sponsors, or over 45% of the Republicans in the SC House who are not co-sponsoring the RTL Act of SC (H.3213) at present.
If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, please pray for all 124 members of the SC House of Representatives: (Prov. 21:1)
Also, I would invite Christians who are so led of the Lord, to consider fasting one or more days between now, Wednesday, April 6th, and whenever the bill is voted upon on the floor of the SC House (most likely either Tuesday, April 12, or Wednesday, April 13), crying out to God in repentance and tears for the Lord to tear down this demonic strongholdof child-murder-by-abortion in our state.
Jesus said there were some devils that "goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." Matthew 17:21
I have been fasting in different modes, and plan to continue. One may practice a normal fast (water only), or some variation as the Lord leads (perhaps juices in addition to water, or perhaps an occasional bowl of soup, or perhaps fasting 1 or 2 meals per day instead of all three). Whatever you do, do it in "faith" (Romans 14:23), as unto the Lord, and forHis glory (1 Corinthians 10:31).
More to come later after this preliminary report.
Hallelu-Yah !
April 6, 2005
Steve Lefemine, pro-life missionary
dir., Columbia Christians for Life
CCL lobbyistColumbia, SC
April 01, 2005
New Updated Flyer for Right to Life Act of South Carolina (H.3213) - April 1, 2005
TAKE ACTION TO PASS the
"Right to Life Act of South Carolina"
Now is the time for action !
1. Pray (if you are a born-again Christian)
2. Call
3. Inform others
4. E-mail
5. Write
6. Fax
7. Lobby
8. Donate
UPDATE:
The Constitutional Laws Subcommittee public hearing for theRight to Life Act of SC (H.3213) was Thursday, March 31. The bill passed by a 3 - 0 vote ! Praise the Lord !
The next step is the full House Judiciary Committee meeting onTuesday, April 5th (less than 4 days from now), in Rm. 516, Blatt Bldg., at 2:30 PM (or 1 and 1/2 hours after adjournment; the House comes into session at 12 noon).
There are 25 total members on the full House Judiciary Committee (14 R's, 11 D's). At present there are 10 identified as bill co-sponsors. 13 votes are needed for passage if all 25 members vote.
Please contact one or more of the six House Judiciary Committee members below (5 R's, 1 D) to ask them to co-sponsor the bill, to support the bill, and to vote for the bill.
---------------------------------------------
TAKE ACTION TO PASS the
"Right to Life Act of South Carolina"
South Carolina's pro-life bill to end "legalized" abortion
(SC House bill H.3213)
On Thursday, March 31, the RTL Act of SC (H.3213) passed the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee, on a 3 0 vote ! Rep’s Delleney, F.N. Smith, and Hagood voted for the bill. Rep. Harrison abstained. (Rep. Coleman was not present.)
We give praise and all glory to the Lord Jesus Christ for the bill’s progress !
The next step is the full House Judiciary: next Tuesday, April 5, in Rm. 516, Blatt Bldg. at 2:30 PM (or 1 ½ hours after adjourn). Judiciary has 25 members (14 R’s, 11 D’s). At present there are 10 identified co-sponsors of the bill on the Committee. At least 13 votes are needed to be assured of a majority for passage. 5 Republicans on Judiciary are not co-sponsoring.
You can help by contacting at least one of these key legislators who are members of the 25-member Judiciary Committee: Please call / write / e-mail and/or fax these men by NLT Monday, April 4th and ASK THEM TO VOTE FOR the RTL Act of SC (H.3213):
- Rep. Alan Clemmons (R-Myrtle Beach)
- Rep. Ben Hagood (R-Mount Pleasant)
- Rep. Jim Harrison (R-Columbia)
- Rep. Phil Sinclair (R-Spartanburg)
- Rep. Jim Stewart (R-Aiken)
- Rep. Doug Jennings (D-Bennettsville)
If they still refuse to co-sponsor, or even just vote for the bill, then ask them if they will at least not vote against the bill. Ask them then if they will at least abstain.
For those who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, pray that God would turn the hearts of all 25 on the House Judiciary Comm. (14 R's, 11 D's) to support H.3213 there are 10 identified co-sponsors at present.
Contact Information for SC House Representatives members:
Representative Alan Clemmons (R) District 107 - Horry Co. [Mormon]
Contact Address: Fax: 843-448-5724
E-Mail Address: ClemmonsA@scstatehouse.net
(H) 610 18th Ave. North, Myrtle Beach, 29577
Bus. (843) 448-8405 Home (843) 448-8207
(C) 518A Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29211 Bus. (803)734-2994
Rep. Ben Hagood, Jr. (R) District 112 - Charleston County [Episcopalian]
Contact Address: Fax: 843-972-1005
E-Mail Address: HagoodB@scstatehouse.net
(H) P.O. Box 220, Mount Pleasant, 29465
Bus. (843)972-1000 Home (843) 883-9078
(C) 306D Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29211 / Bus. (803)734-2950
Rep. Jim Harrison (R) District 75 - Richland County [PCUSA Presbyterian]
Contact Address: Fax: 803-734-9945 and 803-252-7145
E-Mail Address: HJU@scstatehouse.net
(H) [write to: 512 Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29211]
Bus. (803)256-0049 Home (803) 782-6988
(C) 512 Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29211 /
Bus.(803)734-3120 Home (803) 782-6988
Representative Phil Sinclair (R) District 35 - Spartanburg Co. [Baptist]
Contact Address: Fax: 864-585-0183
E-Mail Address: PKS@scstatehouse.net
(H) 710 Zimmerman Lake Rd., Spartanburg, 29306
Bus. (864) 573-7575 Home (864) 583-4762
(C) 402A Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29211 /
Bus. (803) 734-3008
Representative Jim Stewart, Jr. (R) District 86 - Aiken Co. [Methodist]
Contact Address: Fax: 803-642-8034
E-Mail Address: StewartJ@scstatehouse.net
(H) 584 Beaver Dam Rd., Aiken, 29805
Bus. (803) 648-2635 Home (803) 649-5519
(C) 237 Chesterfield St., NW, Aiken, 29801/
Bus.(803)734-3034
Representative Doug Jennings, Jr. (D) District 54 - Chesterfield & Marlboro Cos. [Presbyterian]
Contact Address: Fax: 803-479-2866
E-Mail Address: DJ@scstatehouse.net
(H) 151 Broad St., P.O. Drawer 995, Bennettsville, 29512
Bus. (843) 479-2865 Home (843) 479-6354
(C) 333C Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29211 /
Bus. (803)734-3065
_________________________________________________
Prepared by Columbia Christians for Life
* http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/ www.RighttoLifeActofSC.net *
(803) 765-0916 * Columbia, SC
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