May / June 2007
 Struggle for Ban Took 15 Years
On Wednesday, April 18, 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban, a law enacted by the Congress and signed by President Bush in 2003.
“At long last, unborn children in the United States will be protected from this gruesome late-term partial-birth abortion procedure,” stated Barbara Lyons, Executive Director for Wisconsin Right to Life. “It is tragic that our nation struggled for 15 years to outlaw this procedure,” said Lyons.
In a partial-birth abortion procedure, a baby at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy is pulled feet first from the mother’s womb until only the head remains inside the mother. The abortionist then stabs the baby at the base of the skull and inserts a device which suctions out the baby’s brains.
The federal partial-birth abortion ban will be in effect in all states, including Wisconsin.
The 5-4 ruling was written by Justice Anthony Kennedy. He was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Antonin Scalia, Samuel Alito, and Clarence Thomas. The majority stated that opponents of the ban were not successful in persuading the court that the law violates a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion. Ban opponents argued that the law was vague, prohibited other abortion procedures, and did not have an exception for the woman’s health.
The complete text of the decision can be found at online at www.WisconsinRightToLife.org. For in-depth information on the partial-birth abortion procedure and the history of the partial-birth abortion ban, please go to www.nrlc.org, the web site of the National Right to Life Committee.
 Wisconsin Abortions Continue
Downward Skid
237 Few Abortions Performed in 2006
Thanks to your investment in the value of human life, Wisconsin abortions declined another 2% in 2006 with the number of lives saved at 250. In, 1987, the year that Wisconsin’s required abortion reporting law went into effect, there were 17,318 abortions. The 9,580 abortions reported in 2006 are almost half of the 1987 total.
We estimate that over 75,000 human lives have been saved from abortion in Wisconsin, cumulatively, since 1987!
Wisconsin Right to Life Executive Director Barbara Lyons attributed the decrease three years in a row to right-to-life laws in place in Wisconsin; the educational efforts of Wisconsin Right to Life which reach millions each year; and the increasing right-to-life attitudes of young people.
State Legislative Update
Planned Parenthood Working to Repeal Wisconsin’s Protective Abortion Law (no bill number yet) Wisconsin Right to Life strongly opposes any attempt to repeal Wisconsin’s current law (sec. 940.04) that would protect unborn babies if Roe v. Wade is overturned. The law has been on Wisconsin’s law books for decades but is enforceable because of Roe v. Wade. If Roe is overturned, the law would immediately go back into effect. Wisconsin is in a truly unique position to protect the unborn in a post-Roe world. Pro-abortion forces desperately want to remove sec. 940.04 from the law books! We must never let this happen! Read more at our Legislative Information Center.
Risser/Boyle Bill to Legalize Assisted Suicide (SB151) Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison) and Representative Frank Boyle (D-Superior) are once again introducing legislation that would legalize the killing of vulnerable patients by allowing their physicians to prescribe lethal doses of drugs so the patients can kill themselves. Wisconsin Right to Life strongly opposes this measure. Read the full news release.
Coercive Abortion Prevention Act (no bill number yet) Wisconsin Right to Life strongly supports this legislation. Research collected after decades of research reveals that in many cases, choosing to abort a baby is not what a woman really wants. Woman and their unborn babies must be protected from a coerced abortion. The Coercive Abortion Prevention Act is authored by Sen. Roger Breske (R-Eland) and Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) in the State Senate and by Rep. Mark Gundrum (R-New Berlin) in the Assembly. Read more at our Legislative Information Center.
Wisconsin Health Care Proposals Include Abortion Coverage (no specific legislation drafted yet) A number of proposals are being considered that would reform the Wisconsin health care system. Wisconsin Right to Life does not take a position on health care reform itself. However, we would oppose any health care reform proposal that would permit abortion coverage, require taxpayer funding for abortion, discriminate against pregnant women or that would not adequately protect the health care needs of the elderly, the infirm or those with disabilities. Read more at our Legislative Information Center.
Senator Jeff Plale’s Proposal to Insure Pregnant Women Will Receive Necessary Maternity Care (no bill number yet) Wisconsin Right to Life is current working with Sen. Jeff Plale (D-So.Milwaukee) on a proposal that would insure that pregnant women receive maternity health care. If a woman is already pregnant when her health insurance program begins, her pregnancy may be viewed as a “preexisting condition” and maternity coverage could be denied. This could be a strong incentive for a woman to abort her baby for financial reasons. Wisconsin Right to Life strongly supports this proposal.
Please contact your Assembly Representative and your state senator regarding these proposals. Call the State Legislative hotline toll free to leave a message for your elected officials at or visit our Legislative Information Center email your message to them.
 You can make a difference tomorrow...
Remember Wisconsin Right to Life in your will today
Did you know that making a gift through your will is a meaningful way to make a lasting commitment to Wisconsin Right to Life? It’s true. You can bequeath a sum of money, an item or any portion of your estate. Want to learn more? We can direct you to professionals who can answer your will-related questions.
For more information on planned giving, contact Mary Phillips in our development office, toll free (877) 855-5007.
Judge Annette Ziegler Enjoys Decisive State Supreme Court Victory
Existing Ziegler's Election Demonstrates that Judicial Philosophy Mattered to Voters
The Wisconsin Right to Life Political Action Committee (WRTL/PAC) hailed the April 3rd election victory of Judge Annette Ziegler to the Wisconsin State Supreme Court.
“Pro-life voters throughout the state understood the vital importance of this race,” said Susan Armacost, WRTL/PAC Director. “They also understood that the judicial philosophies of Judge Ziegler and Linda Clifford were worlds apart.”
Judge Ziegler said that she would defer to the legislature - not legislate from the bench - and fairly and impartially rule in cases of concern to Wisconsin Right to Life.
"Contrast Judge Ziegler's philosophy with how Linda Clifford would address issues of concern to pro-life voters." said Armacost. "Planned Parenthood, the state's largest abortion provider, endorsed Clifford. That organization publicly stated that Linda Clifford would swing the State Supreme Court to a pro-abortion majority. That one statement says it all."
"We congratulate Judge Ziegler and we thank the pro-life people throughout Wisconsin who so greatly contributed to her victory."
Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann and
Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner Honored at Education Fund Dinner
 Gianna Jessen Delivers
Passionate Right to Life Message
Two outstanding right-to-life champions were recognized at the April 26th Wisconsin Right to Life Education Fund Dinner and Auction. Recently retired Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann was honored for 38 years of service to the vulnerable. He fought to keep Wisconsin's law prohibiting abortion on the books, helped defend other right-to-life state laws in court and advocated passionately in court for treatment of a baby boy born with spina bifida.
Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner was the chief architect of the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. Sensenbrenner shepherded that law and many other right-to-life laws through the Congress as Chair of the House Judiciary Committee.
Both honorees received standing ovations from the crowd of 650.
Featured speaker, Gianna Jessen, is a living, breathing testimony to the wonder and value of life, and the horror of "choice" in our nation. Jessen created an abortionist's worst nightmare by surviving an abortion attempt in the 7th month of her mother's pregnancy. Her poignant remarks and beautiful singing captured the attention and hearts of those at the dinner.
You can listen to audio of Gianna's address for free by registering online here.
 Sign Up for E-Voice
Sign Up for E-Voice at WisconsinRightToLife.org and you can be a strong voice in the legislature on behalf of the unborn by joining the E-Voice network.
Or, print, complete and mail this form to Wisconsin Right to Life E-Voice, 10625 W. North Ave. Suite LL, Milwaukee, WI 53226-2331
 You Can Help Save Lives by Donating
Your Vehicle to Wisconsin Right to Life!
Donated cars benefit the Wisconsin Right to Life Education Fund and you receive a tax deduction for your donation.
It’s a win-win for you, the babies and the Education Fund. Be sure to check with a tax professional to determine how you can benefit.
Learn more and print donation forms online.
You Can Send a Teen to Summer Leadership Camp
Are there teens you know who would benefit by attending? Would you help pay their way?
Camp Esther (Basic)
June 24 - 26, 2007 in Cable, Wis.
July 22 - 24, 2007 in Walworth, Wis.
Camp Nehemiah (Advanced)
June 27 - 29, 2007 in Cable, Wis.
July 25 - 27, 2007 in Walworth, Wis.
Camp costs: Wisconsin Residents = $60 before June 8 Cable / July 6 Walworth and $80 after; Out of State = $100 before June 8 Cable / July 6 Walworth and $120 after.
Download a registration packet here or for more information, contact Joleigh Little at (715) 378-4302 or send email to: jlittle@wrtl.org
Memorials
Remember a loved-one with a memorial gift to Wisconsin Right to Life. Gifts may be mailed to: Wisconsin Right to Life 10625 W. North Ave., Suite LL Milwaukee, WI 53226-2331 By visiting www.WisconsinRightToLife.org/memorials.htm you can give online and view the current list of memorials and special gifts.
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