If anyone had told me I would spend weeks researching for speeches I’d have laughed. I am NOT a research enthusiast. But the issue of life is very important to me, so when I heard about a speech competition in RTL I was excited – I do love to speak. 

I had a blast in my first speech competition, placing 1st in state and in the top half at the National Right to Life competition. If anyone doubts the usefulness or just plain joy of the competition, I will gladly tell them that these things and a love of life made me decide to compete the next year, too. 

But after weeks of research, and nearly 5 written speeches, the “right” one just didn’t seem to be coming. I wrote and wrote, and it seemed like nothing I was doing was “working” so to speak. The night before the local competition my mom asked if I was really going to compete, since I still lacked a speech. I prayed, asking God to “give me words to speak” and I told him that whatever He wanted me to say, I would say. I asked Him to use me – let people see Him and not me, as I gave His message, and whatever He wanted to happen, would happen – win or lose. 

That night was one of the most amazing times of my life. My younger sister Sarah stayed up with me, giving input and praying, and I can honestly say it was a Spirit-filled night. I knew what to say, and I knew that whatever happened, I had been changed. It was not ME – not ME giving a speech, in front of everyone speaking my own words – it was God speaking through me. So I won – the local, then the state… 

I have to say that the experience was truly amazing, in that I learned a lot, and met people who were as passionate as I about life. Over and over again I was reminded how amazing it was to be a vessel through which God pours His words. The competition itself is more than worthwhile, with material researched and life-long friends made – but the complete experience is priceless. If I could go back, and relive those weeks of research and rehearsal over, I would not have it any other way, and I thank God for the great opportunity of competing in the National Right to Life Oratory Competition. 

-Elizabeth Trisler

The health care bill that was signed into law last March was not the reform that our country needs – I voted against the job-killing and anti-life legislation.  Thousands of my constituents contacted me in opposition to the bill, especially because it did not protect the sanctity of human life, and I know that Ohioans across the state shared in that sentiment. 

Today, I voted in support of H.R. 358, the Protect Life Act, during a meeting of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.  The bill, as many of you know, would stop government-funded abortions under the health care law and would strengthen conscience protections for doctors and hospitals that refuse to perform abortions.  This is the first step toward putting an end once and for all to taxpayer funded abortions, as well as to fixing the deeply flawed health care bill. 

I firmly believe that we must be vigilant in protecting the sanctity of human life and in defending the right to life of unborn children.  Furthermore, it is imperative that government funds should not be used to pay directly for abortions or health care coverage that pays for abortions.  Abortion has claimed 50 million innocent lives since 1973.   This statistic is tragic enough, but the fact that the government will facilitates funding for abortion through the health care law is equally disturbing.  That is why I am committed to passing the Protect Life Act, so that your government dollars are not being used to pay for abortions through the health care law. 

The House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to have a full committee vote on the Protect Life Act next Tuesday, February 15, 2011.  Ohioans please stay tuned and let’s make sure the right to life for the unborn is protected.

-Congressman Bob Latta, 5th Congressional District

For the last two weeks, the national media has been abuzz with the shocking story of the undercover sting operation that caught abortion giant Planned Parenthood red-handed in the despicable act of aiding and abetting sex trafficking and prostitution of girls as young as 14.

We must act swiftly and take a public stand against Planned Parenthood's harmful agenda -- raising awareness in the communities where we live, and calling upon Congress to IMMEDIATELY strip the abortion chain of all tax funding.

"Vigils for Victims" of underage sex trafficking are being organized outside Planned Parenthood offices coast-to-coast on Monday, February 14, from Noon to 1 PM in each U.S. Time Zone. 

Greater Columbus Right to Life has planned a vigil here in Columbus. Find out more by clicking here: http://bit.ly/g7VQVy

Learn more about "Vigil for Victims" at: http://www.exposeplannedparenthood.com/vigil

A coalition of pro-life organizations, including Ohio Right to Life, have signed a letter calling on Congress to pass H.R. 217, the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act, to ensure that Planned Parenthood does not receive taxpayer dollars. 

ACTION STEPS:

1. Call your Representative TODAY. Our goal is to flood Capitol Hill with phone calls in a nationwide lobbying effort to defund Planned Parenthood – we need every phone ringing off the hook. Call your Member of Congress directly and ask him or her to support the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act. Use the Expose Planned Parenthood Action Center to find your Representative’s phone number and use the helpful talking points to communicate your message.

2. E-mail your Representative. They need to hear from you right now, especially as the deep-pocketed pro-abortion lobby is mobilizing fast.

3. Help spread the word. Forward this e-mail to at least 5 or 10 friends, family, neighbors, or members of your Church. Every American needs to watch the footage, see what they subsidize, and take action. Post www.ExposePlannedParenthood.com on your Facebook and other social networks such as Twitter.