According to data in a report from the Texas Department of State Health Services, the abortion rate for black women in Texas is much higher than for other major ethnic groups. Abortions are performed on black women at almost twice the rate as Hispanic women and more than twice the rate as white women.
Dr. Alveda King (shown at left speaking to a packed house at a Texas Alliance for Life Dinner in October) is the niece of the late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. During the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Alveda King's family home was bombed, her father -- Rev. A.D. King -- was assassinated, and she marched for justice. After healing from the pain and tragedy of her own abortion, Dr. Alveda King became a pro-life advocate, speaking out against the injustice of abortion as well as the importance of making her uncle's dream a reality for all. Dr. Alveda King has served as a Georgia State Representative, is a former college professor, and has authored several books and the compelling essay, "How Can the Dream Survive If We Murder the Children?" She serves as the Director of African American Outreach for Priests for Life. For more information about Dr. Alveda King, visit www.kingforamerica.com.
The excitement is building for the Texas Rally for Life at the State Capitol in Austin on Saturday, January 28, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Rally commemorates the 33rd anniversary of the tragic Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, which has claimed the lives of more than 46 million unborn babies. Roe has also hurt untold numbers of women, leaving emotional and physical scars.There will be an exciting program. Two buses are coming from Houston (contact Life Advocates), with other buses and car pools being organized from other cities as well.Meet at 1:00 p.m. at Republic Square at 4th and Guadalupe streets in Austin for the march on CongressAvenue to the rally at the State Capitol at 2:00 p.m. (Parking is available at both sites.) Tell our elected officials and the media that Roe Hurts Women. Bring a banner with your organization or church.
For more information visit www.texasrallyforlife.org or call 512-477-1244.Listen to a 60-second radio ad by clicking here (right click to download). Over 40 pro-life, pro-family organizations from across the state are cosponsors. For a list, click here. (To add your organization to list, send an email to rally@texasallianceforlife.org.)To make a donation to support the Texas Rally for Life, click here.
Here is a partial list of other pro-life events also being held in Texas:
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee conducted five days of hearings last week on the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito, Jr. for the U.S. Supreme Court. The American Bar Association recently gave Judge Alito a "well qualified" rating, its highest. The Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, January 24, to discuss and vote on the nomination. After the Committee votes, the full Senate is expected to consider Alito's nomination shortly thereafter. Public support for Alito took a six-point jump after the hearings, according to Lifenews.com.
When pro-abortion Senator Arlen Spector (R-PA) asked Alito if overturning the precedent of Roe v. Wade would "undermine [the public perception of] the legitimacy of the court," Alito responded, "I think that the legitimacy of the court would be undermined in any case if the court made a decision based on its perception of public opinion. It should make its decisions based on the Constitution and the law."Both of Texas' U.S. Senators -- Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn -- support Alito. Cornyn, a member of the Judiciary Committee, predicted success: ". . . it is clear to me that Judge Alito should be confirmed to serve on the United States Supreme Court. And he will be confirmed."President Bush nominated Judge Alito in October to replace pro-abortion Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who remains until a successor is confirmed by the full Senate. Bush devoted his January 14 radio address to Alito's nomination, urging the Senate to promptly take and up-or-down vote.
Researchers at the The University of Texas Medical School at Houston and Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital have proposed a new treatment for children with brain injuries using non-embryonic stem cells. The treatment will use a child's own stem cells extracted from his/her bone marrow (a form of adult stem cells). No embryonic stem cells will be used, making the research supported by the pro-life community. "We find this type of non-embryonic stem cell research very exciting," said Joe Pojman, Ph.D., executive Director of Texas Alliance for Life. "The potential to help patients is enormous without destroying innocent human embryos."
Charles Cox, M.D., and James Baumgartner, M.D., have received approval for a study to be conducted early this year. According to a news release from the UT Health Science Center, Cox and Baumgartner have permission to recruit 10 head injury patients etween the ages of 5 and 14 who meet criteria set for enrollment. After initial treatment and evaluation, a pediatric surgeon will approach the injured child's parents to explain the trial and request permission to enroll the child in the study. If permission is granted, bone marrow will be extracted from the child's hip and then processed to derive non-embryonic stem cells, which are then given intravenously to the injured child. The cells will migrate to the damaged area of the brain and induce brain repair. Because the non-embryonic stem cells come from the child, rejection is not thought to be a problem. The children's brain function will be carefully evaluated one month and six months after the procedure to see if it is improved compared to historical data for children of similar age who suffered a similar injury."Trauma is far and away the main cause of death and disability among children, and the main reason children die from trauma is brain injury," Cox said. "Even marginal improvement could mean a great deal to someone who suffers a brain injury. It could be the difference between being able to recognize your loved ones and not being able to, or between doing things for yourself or having to rely on others. That would be a huge impact on families and on society," he added.
The researchers say that, while the project is very promising, more state funds are needed to attract federal dollars for subsequent studies.
