• How can you help get out the pro-life vote this November? It's critical . . . and easy! Read more...
• Nearly 100 people attended a civic action conference on Saturday, July 17, to learn what they and their churches could do to defend life in the public square. Read more...
• Meet TAL's summer interns! Read more...

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The following is a featured article by Executive Director Joe Pojman, Ph.D., from the Summer 2010 issue of TAL's Life Matters newsletter. Read the online version...

Success in the elections this fall depends on our support -- yours and mine -- for all of our pro-life candidates, from Gov. Perry down to the state house races.

The stakes are so high that abortion advocates -- Planned Parenthood, Texas Abortion Rights Action League, and Annie’s List -- are already hard at work. They know well that winning elections requires getting money and votes for their candidates.

We need to do the same. The lives of thousands of innocent unborn babies depend on it.

One great example of how pro-life voters can help turn the tide in an election is the recent runoff election victory of Brian Birdwell, candidate to fill a vacancy in Texas State Senate District 22. Just days before the runoff election on June 22, it was publicized that Birdwell's opponent had received significant backing from Bernard Rapoport, a major donor to Planned Parenthood of Central Texas.

Texas Alliance for Life and other pro-life groups helped spread the word to pro-life voters. Their influence undoubtedly helped Birdwell win the election by an astounding 22.8 percentage points on election day after the Rapoport story broke, after leading in early voting by a much more modest 7.4 percentage points.

How can you help get out the pro-life vote? It’s easy!

First, make sure you, your family, and all of your pro-life friends are registered to vote.

Second, note the dates of the general election: Early voting begins Monday, October 18. Election Day is Tuesday, November 2.

Third, use our new Personalized Voter Guide at www.TexasAllianceforLife.org to enter your address and get the list of pro-life candidates endorsed by the TAL PAC who will be on your ballot.

Don’t stop there! You can even click on the candidates’ names to go to their campaign websites to learn how to volunteer for them in these crucial months leading up to the elections.

Pro-life voting has never been more critical, but now it has never been easier.

On Saturday, July 17, nearly 100 grassroots citizens gathered in Coppell, Texas, for a civic action conference aimed at clarifying the dos and don'ts for churches, public policy, and political action.

The conference, cosponsored by Texas Alliance for Life and the Catholic Pro-Life Committee of North Texas (CPLC, the Respect Life Ministry of the Diocese of Dallas), was entitled "Render Unto Caesar: Defending Life in the Public Square" and was held at St. Ann Catholic Church.

For only $25 per person, attendees received a helpful information packet as well as breakfast and lunch. The conference was open to all denominations.

Conference attendees learned . . .

• What actions are and are not permitted for churches. Karen Garnett, executive director of CPLC, explained the differences between educating and lobbying on issues and advocating and campaigning for political candidates.
• How bishops and other church leaders have been involved in public policy issues, and what their limits are. Andrew Rivas, J.D., executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference, fielded many questions from the crowd.
• How the pro-life movement has been successful in changing Texas public policy and the key issues for the upcoming 2011 state legislative session. Joe Pojman, Ph.D., executive director of Texas Alliance for Life, gave the crowd an overview of the structure of the Texas Legislature and explained how the grassroots can get involved in the process.
• The importance of testifying in committees. Jonathan Saenz, J.D., director of legislative affairs for Liberty Institute, shared practical tips on staying involved at the state level.

Bishop Mark Seitz, auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Dallas, shared his longtime commitment to the life issue in a talk entitled "Check Your Faith at the Door: The Dilemma of the Catholic Citizen." Keynote speaker and former abortion provider Carol Everett shared her moving conversion story.

Pictured above: Pojman, Garnett, CPLC Director of Communications Becky Visosky, Rivas, and Saenz.

TAL is interested in working with local church and pro-life groups to bring this kind of event to other cities in Texas. If you are interested in partnering with us, please email us or call 512.477.1244.

The following is a featured article from the Summer 2010 issue of TAL's Life Matters newsletter. Read the online version...

Every summer, the TAL office welcomes student interns who assist with special projects and legislative research. This year, we welcome four students who are helping with background research on the Sonogram Bill and other key issues for the upcoming 2011 Texas legislative session:

• Phillip Henderson, a Georgetown native, is studying philosophy and literature as a sophomore at Ave Maria University, where he is active with the campus Students for Life organization.
• Brittany Williamson graduated in 2009 from Texas A&M University with a history major and geography minor. In her words, “I sought an internship with TAL because I passionately believe it is our responsibility to defend those whose most fundamental right, the right to life, is not being recognized, respected, or protected.” Brittany currently lives in Liberty Hill.
• Erin Blauvelt is pursuing a law degree at The University of Texas School of Law. She sought an internship with TAL after hearing Executive Director Joe Pojman, Ph.D., speak at a Christian Legal Society meeting. “Interning at TAL is a great opportunity for me to use my legal education to give a voice to those who do not have one,” says Erin. “I cannot imagine a more rewarding way to spend my summer.” Erin hails from Cinnaminson, New Jersey.
• Will Munsil is pursuing a law degree through the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. He graduated from Colorado Christian University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. Will is working with TAL as part of the prestigious Blackstone Legal Fellowship, run by the Alliance Defense Fund. “I hope that this summer at Texas Alliance for Life will further prepare me for a life spent fighting for the things that matter, and that I’m able to do some small thing to help the cause of life in Texas in these six weeks,” says the Scottsdale, Arizona, native.

updated 7/22/10