Concerned citizens
do make a difference

Sometimes we might feel discouraged in dealing with public policy issues in our society. We might feel like one person can't have an impact on what happens.

	Editor's View Mary C. Uhler

However, the recent state legislative session proved that concerned citizens can - and do indeed - make a difference. Two pieces of proposed legislation did not pass, thanks to concerted efforts by many committed people.

Attempt to overturn abortion ban

An attempt to overturn Wisconsin's long-standing ban on abortion did not make it out of committee. Why? Because over 500 people showed up at a public hearing to speak in favor of keeping this abortion ban on the books. "I think it was a case when the hearing made a big difference," commented Barbara Lyons, executive director of Wisconsin Right to Life. [See also letter #1, below.]

Lyons reminded me that her organization was formed 40 years ago to combat efforts to repeal the abortion ban. That was five years before the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade, which legalized abortion. Other attempts to repeal Wisconsin's abortion ban have not been successful, thanks to hard work by people in our state.

Legalizing assisted suicide

Also defeated during the recent state legislative session was an attempt to legalize assisted suicide in our state. Wisconsin Right to Life recruited doctors and people with disabilities to speak to legislators in opposition to this bill.

Concerned citizens also contacted their legislators urging them to oppose assisted suicide. [See Jan. 31 editorial.] Fortunately it was the bill that died.

Make our voices heard

We must continue to make our voices heard in the legislative and political process. On April 1, there is a election for a 10-year term on the state Supreme Court. It's important that people study the candidates and the issues - and vote.

Mailbag

	Mailbag policy We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Limit letters to 200 words or less. All letters must be signed. Please include your city or town of residence. Send letters to: Mailbag The Catholic Herald 702 S. High Point Rd. Madison, WI 53719-3522 Fax: 608-821-3071 E-mail: info@madisoncatholicherald.org

State right-to-lifers save Wisconsin's abortion ban

To the editor:

If you believe people can't make a difference, you are wrong. Over 500 valiant, committed Wisconsin right-to-lifers left home, school, and jobs to come to the state Capitol for a public hearing on February 27. Their goal: to save Wisconsin's 160-year-old historic abortion ban by opposing SB 398, proposed legislation to repeal the ban.

SB 398 never even made it out of committee as the sun faded on the 2007-2008 biannual legislative session on March 13. Mission accomplished! The ban is saved. [See also editorial, above.]

Planned Parenthood and its legislative allies were taken by surprise when their 50 or so people were totally outnumbered by the hundreds of right-to-lifers. The most compelling part of the hearing was the testimony of post-abortive women who have been devastated by abortion. Up-and-coming right-to-life leaders in their teens were poised, passionate, and articulate in their defense of human life.

Wisconsin Right to Life gratefully thanks those who came, those who testified, Relevant Radio, diocesan respect life coordinators, and the diocesan newspapers for their part in achieving this glorious outcome. We must be ever vigilant to ensure that s. 940.04 of the statutes, our Wisconsin abortion ban, continues to transcend the centuries as a lasting solution to protect our precious unborn children and their mothers.

Barbara Lyons, executive director, Wisconsin Right to Life, Milwaukee

Thanks for publicity

To the editor:

Thank you for putting information in the paper regarding our third annual Jacob Tjugum bowling fund-raiser. The event raised just over $3,000 for Sacred Hearts School. Thanks again!

Sue Tjugum, Sun Prairie