CAP: How Arizona's prolife bills got passed

July 17, 2009 The Horse and the Snail My favorite hymn rings out how great is God's faithfulness! As I reflect on the victories this week, I am humbled and encouraged. Our prayer is that God be glorified by our work. Two themes come to mind. The first is the Proverb that I quote often - the horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord. After at least thirteen years of legislative battles, the victorious passage of the Abortion Consent Act (HB 2564) into law indeed belongs to the Lord. The second is a reminder of the importance to not give up - through persistence the snail made it to the ark. This week a friend emailed me, "Thirteen years says it all in some ways. Too many do not understand what it takes to accomplish even fairly basic things." It takes prayer, persistence, and never giving up! Here's a sampling of the preparation and effort leading to this victory: Post-abortive women who courageously came forward to share their abortion experiences. To share how they were not told about the harms of abortions or the available alternatives. Doctors and nurses whose expertise and experience showed the legislation was necessary to protect the well-being of women and preborn children. A mom and dad's public testimony about their daughter who got an abortion at a local abortion clinic with a falsified, emailed parental consent form. Pharmacists and pharmacy owners asking for their right of conscience to be protected so they would not have to dispense abortion-inducing medication. Attorneys who vetted each bill carefully to check for constitutionality. Thousands who prayed and supported CAP's work. Thousands who voted their values, called legislators and Governors. Len Munsil's vision to follow God's lead in building Center for Arizona Policy as an effective advocate for families at our State Capitol. A team at CAP who never gave up. The leadership and support from Arizona Catholic Conference and Arizona Right to Life. Pro-life legislators who persisted even in the midst of defeat after defeat. 36 state representatives and 17 state senators and one Governor who said yes to HB 2564, never wavering and keeping their word to defend and protect the sanctity of human life. Rep. Nancy Barto and Sen. Linda Gray who led the final charge to pass this legislation. Gov. Jan Brewer who signed the bill. I encourage you to take a moment to send a thank you email to these three elected officials by simply clicking on their names. Rep. Nancy Barto Sen. Linda Gray Gov. Jan Brewer Thank you for being co-laborers with us! To God be the glory! Truth Project Training in Tempe! Looking for a Bible study for fall? Interested in Truth Project but haven't had a chance yet to attend a CAP training? On August 1st, CAP will be hosting another Truth Project training at Christ Life Church in Tempe. Just in time for fall, this half day training will equip you to be a small group leader for a Truth Projectsmall group. Register online today for this event! Live from Washington, D.C. I'm off to Washington, D.C. I'll be meeting with members of Arizona's congressional delegation to voice our concerns about national health care and Judge Sonia Sotomayor. Look for my updates on CAP's blog next week.