Governor Tim Pawlenty Draws Cheers, Jeers for Declaring April Abortion Recovery Month
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
April 12, 2010
St. Paul, MN (LifeNews.com) — Tim Pawlenty, the pro-life Minnesota governor and potential 2012 Republican presidential candidate, is drawing cheers and jeers from pro-life and pro-abortion groups for declaring April as a month to help women negatively affected by their abortions.
As LifeNews.com first reported two weeks ago, Pawlenty and Texas Gov. Rick Perry both declared April as Abortion Recovery/Awareness Month.
Lisa Dudley, Director of Operation Outcry, a group that helps women who regret their abortions speak out, told LifeNews.com at the time that Pawlenty’s move showed he has an "understanding of the consequences of abortion" and a " willingness to protect women and the unborn."
Pawlenty’s proclamation “encourages and promotes healing opportunities and raises awareness of the aftermath of abortion experienced by individuals and families,”
It also recognizes that “many Minnesota organizations offer support and recovery services to those who have had abortions or who have been impacted by abortion” and that “many organizations in Minnesota promote policies that reinforce a culture of life and hope.”
“Abortion recovery programs help individuals heal by providing counseling, support groups, encouragement,” the proclamation says.
Now, Pawlenty is coming under fire from abortion advocacy groups Planned Parenthood and NARAL, which claim Pawlenty is merely pandering to pro-life groups.
Kathi Di Nicola, communications director for Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, told the Minnesota Independent that the move was “pure politics.”
Linnea House of NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota, added, “I was hoping the governor’s proclamation was an April Fool’s Day joke last week, but unfortunately, it is very real. Clearly, this proclamation is truly nothing more than Gov. Pawlenty pandering to the anti-choice organizations in the state."
Pawlenty’s deputy chief of staff, Brian McClung, responded to the attacks.
“Recovery programs can help individuals heal by providing counseling, support groups, encouragement and education,” McClung said. “While critics may say this is just ‘politics,’ women who have been helped by these programs would strongly disagree.”
And Molly White, Operation Outcry leader in Texas, told LifeNews.com that women hurt spiritually, emotionally, and physically after an abortion.
"Many women and men hurt by abortion, as I was, suffer from guilt, shame, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts, to name a few symptoms," she said.
There are several resources available including A.R.I.N. www.abortionrecovery.com and The National Help Line for Abortion Recovery 1-866-482-LIFE where caring people who have experienced abortion are there to help.
The text of the full Pawlenty resolution:
Whereas: Many Minnesota organizations offer support and recovery services to those who have had abortions or who have been impacted by abortion; and
Whereas: Many organizations in Minnesota promote policies that reinforce a culture of life and hope; and
Whereas: Abortion recovery programs help individuals heal by providing counseling, support groups, encouragement; and
Whereas: Abortion Recovery Month encourages and promotes healing opportunities and raises awareness of the aftermath of abortion experienced by individuals and families.
Sign Up for Free Pro-Life News From LifeNews.com
Daily Pro-Life News Report Twice-Weekly Pro-Life
News Report Receive a free daily email report from LifeNews.com with the latest pro-life news stories on abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. Sign up here. Receive a free twice-weekly email report with the latest pro-life news headlines on abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. Sign up here.
