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Americans United for Life Honors New Yorkers for Parental Rights at Gala Dinner
By Matthew Eppinette | October 10, 2008
Chicago, Illinois — Americans United for Life (AUL) last night presented the Henry J. Hyde Defender of Life Award to New Yorkers for Parental Rights (NYFPR). Jessica Shanahan, President of NYFPR, was on hand to accept the award.
AUL President Dr. Charmaine Yoest said, “The work of New Yorkers for Parental Rights is both an inspiration and a guide to all who work to protect women and the unborn.”
In presenting the award, AUL Staff Counsel Mailee Smith, who worked closely with NYFPR, said, “Tonight we honor Jessica Shanahan and New Yorkers for Parental Rights for their outstanding efforts and political insight.”
Upon accepting the award, Ms. Shanahan said, “We did not relish this fight, but I felt a responsibility to do something. Unless more pro-life legislation is enacted and pro-abortion legislation is defeated, we will not continue to see a reduction in abortion in our country. It’s an honor to be recognized and to accept this award on behalf of New Yorkers for Parental Rights.”
New Yorkers for Parental Rights was formed to combat the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act (RHAPP) in the New York state legislature. The Act would have elevated abortion to a “fundamental right”—enshrining Roe v. Wade into New York law, eliminating all current regulation of abortion, and preventing future attempts to introduce common-sense regulations.
The Henry J. Hyde Defender of Life Award is presented by Americans United for Life in recognition of outstanding legislative efforts in the defense of human life. “Henry Hyde will always be an inspiring model of commitment to public service and the sanctity of human life—the William Wilberforce of our time,” said AUL Senior Counsel Clarke Forsythe. Congressman Hyde represented Illinois’ 6th District from 1975 to 2006; he served as Honorary Chairman of Americans United for Life until his death in November 2007.
The award was presented at the 2008 Annual Gala. Held at the Palmer House Hilton of Chicago, the Gala was emceed by social commentator and activist Lakita Garth-Wright, and featured a keynote speech by author and National Review Senior Editor Ramesh Ponnuru.
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Topics: AUL, Abortion, Events, FOCA, Press Release |
