Last week, Americans United for Life was joined by pro-life leaders, Members of Congress, and many honorary guests to celebrate the many victories AUL has achieved over the past forty years to ensure everyone is welcomed in life and protected in law.
“Abortion uniquely undermines human community,” Dr. Charmaine Yoest, President and CEO of AUL reflected. “It tears apart the heart of human compassion.
AUL’s 40th Anniversary provided an invaluable opportunity to recognize the tireless efforts and victories of the many individuals who have dedicated their lives and careers to ensuring that the culture of death is not enshrined into law and to safeguarding the “human community” from those who depreciate the dignity of every human life.
AUL’s successful efforts to protect human life recognized at the 40th Anniversary Celebration include developing an effective state-based legal strategy, defending the Hyde amendment before the Supreme Court, defeating the movement to establish a Constitutional right to assisted suicide, developing the intellectual architecture for fetal homicide laws, developing a legal strategy for Reversing Roe v. Wade, testifying in four Supreme Court Confirmation battles, defeating an attempt to reground abortion rights in equal protection, and, most recently, publishing the “Case for Investigating Planned Parenthood,” which catalyzed the current Congressional Investigation into Planned Parenthood Federation of America by the Energy and Commerce Committee, led by Congressman Cliff Stearns.
It was with great honor that AUL welcomed many Members of Congress to AUL’s 40th Anniversary Gala to recognize AUL’s four decades of fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves. These Members’ presence signified their commitment to defending life and demonstrated the growing number of elected representatives in Congress who cherish human life and are steadfast in their dedication to protecting the human rights of all human beings.
Senator Jeff Sessions, an Honorary Co-Chair of AUL’s 40th Anniversary Gala, reflected: “It is well and good to celebrate forty years of faithful service to the highest and best ideals of the American Nation.”
Thanking AUL for its valiant efforts over the years, Senator Sessions stated: “I firmly believe that Roe v. Wade and its descendants represent one of the worse, colossally erroneous Supreme Court decisions of all time. It was an activist decision…it was a Court that decided to politically impose their will.”
“Good law should prevail,” the Senator noted. “Our policies in this country as a nation should focus on life, should focus on decency, and focus on love for even the least of these.”
In his inspiring speech, Senator Orrin Hatch, an Honorary Co-Host of AUL’s 40th Anniversary Gala, stated: “When the Court took sides with the culture of death, AUL committed itself to overturning Roe.” “The bottom line,” he continued, “is that our laws must be changed to protect the unborn; but, so too, our culture must embrace the weak and the vulnerable, the unborn, the disabled, and the elderly.”
Senator Hatch offered a message of perseverance and hope, “Let me tell you, we’re going to win. We’re going to win this in the end, and I can’t wait for the day.”
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers, an Honorary Co-Host of AUL’s 40th Anniversary Gala, welcomed attendees on behalf of the pro-life Members of the House of Representatives: “For forty years, AUL has dedicated themselves to the unborn. To that voice that many do not hear; to that voice that many do not want to hear. But that voice is strong and we must do everything we can to protect them because they are Americans as well. They are as much a part of my responsibility in Congress as all of you… I am just proud to be one of many in Congress who are there to fight for this very reason.”
“I came to Washington to solve problems…to repair a broken system,” Congresswoman Ellmers continued, “I cannot think of a better way to do that than to be nothing more than in total and complete support of AUL and other organizations such as AUL in this fight.”
The Congresswoman concluded, encouraging the many pro-life leaders present, “We will continue to fight—the fight will go on. And please remain as strong as you are.”
AUL’s history reveals incredible leadership and unwavering persistence to ensure that “even the least of these” are safeguarded and defended in law. AUL’s former board member, the late Richard John Neuhaus, conveyed a vision of an America where all are welcomed in life and protected in law. While that day may seem far off at times, it is achievable and it is being achieved by the hard-won accumulated victories of those who have committed their lives to the greatest cause worth fighting for, Life.
LifeNews.com Note: Bill Saunders is a senior legal counsel for Americans United for Life and a LifeNews blogger. Kellie Fiedorek is a Staff Counsel for AUL.
