newsletter

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One Giant Step - Let The People Vote
After many years of working hard to get SJR127 to pass both chambers of the Tennessee Legislature, and seeing it die in a House Subcommittee, we have good news to report. On Tuesday May 18th we were successful in seeing an overwhelming bipartisan vote (77 to 21) to pass SJR127 in the State House. Our many years work have paid off, thanks to everyone who signed petitions, called or emailed your State Representative or otherwise worked for passage of this very important bill. I along with Reba and John K. (with buttons on) were able to be in attendance the day this bill came up for its finale action in this session of the House. While there were some pro-abortion opposition and attempts to weaken the bill, it was clear that there was a majority of Representatives supporting this bill. After the finale vote, the whole House applauded its passage. Earlier in the year, this same bill passed the State Senate by a vote of 24 to 8.
While we are very pleased with this victory, it is but the first step in the process. Since this bill amends the State Constitution, it must be passed again in the next Legislative Session which begins in 2011 and it must receive a 2/3 majority vote to pass. And then the amendment will be placed on the November 2014 state ballot to be voted on by the people. So you see, we have a long way to go and we need to continue to work to make sure that we do not lose any ground or support. Next year all the State Representatives and many of the State Senators have to run for election. We need to make sure we keep and add to our prolife legislatures across the state.

Other News
We are still watching and working on 2 other bills; HB 1756 and SB 470 to prevent tax dollars from going to Planned Parenthood for women's health services. In 93 Tennessee Counties, the State directs these funds to the county health departments, but in Davidson and Shelby Counties the State gives this funding (1.1 billion dollars) to Planned Parenthood. This must be stopped, there is no reason that the county health depts. in those 2 counties cannot and should not provide these services. Keep these bills in mind and contact the Legislators and push for there passage. Go to the State Right to Life website to send messages to the Legislators.
I am sure you have heard of the news of the murder of infamous abortion doctor George Tiller this past Sunday. He has admitted of performing over 60,000 abortions many of which were done late term. In fact he was one of only 3 doctors nationwide who would perform late term abortions. He was violently gunned down while serving in his church in Kansas. Many of the media and in the pro-abortion movement will attempt to cast blame on pro-life supporters. We must take every opportunity to reiterate that violence can never be accepted as a solution to our problems and remind people that true prolife supporters are very much peaceful and non-violent. At the same time we must not allow the media or others to cause us to back down in our efforts to push for prolife protections and an end to abortions.

Next Meeting
The next chapter meeting will be June 9th. We meet at the Christ Church Fellowship, 209 3rd. Ave. West in Carthage The time for our meetings is 6:30 p.m. Try to attend our meetings and help us plan our projects. Your support is needed at our meetings and on our projects.

To contact the Smith County Chapter of the Tennessee Right To Life, to change your email address, to subscribe or to unsubscribe; send an email to smithcountyrtl@bellsouth.net or send a letter to Smith County RTL, 118 Ballenger Rd. Carthage TN 37030. Telephone number: 615-735-2486 or 615-489-7796 Contact the Tennessee Right To Life office my emailing info@tnrtl.org or by calling 877 CHOOSE LIFE (877-246-6735)	Officers
	President	Ronnie Collins
	Vice President	John Rich
	Secretary
	Treasurer	Reba Collins