Continued from Part 1
When we reached the south side of the Capitol, we saw a sign being held by 8 youths which read “Texas Rally for Life”.
My favorite sign being held by 3 young girls showed a picture of a pregnant Virgin Mary with the caption “Her Baby saved the world! What will yours do?”
In front on the steps sat the speakers.
The first to give a rousing speech was Governor Abbott, who spoke about the tiny baby he held in his arms 21 years ago.
He told the hushed crowd that “the mother decided against an abortion, giving the baby a chance at life.” This child is Audrey and is the adopted daughter of Gov. Abbott and his wife. She is now on the Dean’s List in college!
The Governor also gave us the good news that there had been 9000 less abortions this year than last year!
There are many reasons for this successful decline in the abortion rate. In addition to appointing pro-life judges, he reviewed for us the pro-life legislation that his administration has put into place in Texas:
A ban on the sale of baby body parts and requiring the dignified burial of their tiny bodies (SB 8)
A ban on abortions after 20 weeks
Increased funding to the Alternatives to Abortion programs
The sonogram law
And a ban on partial birth abortion.
He asked the crowd to remain vigilant and challenged us to become the most pro-life state in America!
And when he asked how many young people there were that day under the age of 45 (they survived the 45 years since Roe v. Wade legalized the killing of unborn babies), a huge youthful cheer went up from all around us!
Texas Senator Charles Schwertner spoke next. He recounted how his mother was advised by her doctor to abort him because she had rubella. She refused and never returned to that doctor.
Today he is a successful orthopedic surgeon.
He related how he is haunted by the sights he witnessed in his visit to a Planned Parenthood abortion facility which led him to author Senate Bill 8.
In summary, it hit home to all of us that the effectiveness of those who fight for and are successful in passing pro-life legislation, and the many people who fast for an end to abortion and stand and pray in front of abortion facilities has resulted, by the grace of our Heavenly Father, in closing these facilities and in abortion workers leaving this heinous business.
It was reported that 31 out of 45 abortion facilities in Texas have closed!
We can thank God for our tenacious Legislators and our 40 days for Life prayer warriors!
And our Youth!!
This experience has reminded me of the scripture we read in last week’s morning Liturgy of the Hours: “Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, You have fashioned praise because of Your foes, to silence the hostile and the vengeful.” (Psalm 8:3)
The Pro-Life battle belongs to the Lord, our God, and He will provide the youth to lead the way!
