Texas—Incumbent Speaker of the House Joe Straus, “Life Begins at Conception” Law and the Marana, Arizona Example

Tomorrow is our nation’s designated day of thanksgiving. Of course, we should be thankful every day of our lives. GOD is good. Life, itself, is one blessing for which all should be thankful. Unfortunately, for the last forty-one years, we, as a nation, have not honored our own declared allegiance for life.

The Declaration of Independence

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The Constitution of the United States

“Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”

Let us renew and double our efforts to return the United States to the proposition that all have a GOD-given right to life.

The last two posts dealt with advancing the fight for life by having States pass a “life begins at conception” law in the States. The question must be asked: Is this possible? My answer is yes and I base that answer upon personal experience.

I was a member of the Marana Unified School District Governing Board from 1983-1986. The school district is Northwest of the city of Tucson, Arizona. During that time, girls’ basketball and girls’ softball were played in the spring and winter respectively while the boys played in the traditional winter season for basketball and spring season for baseball.

I was at an away junior high school softball game that should not have been played. It was cold, windy, and miserable. The only people who were in the stands must have been parents and family members. I know it was for our team. No one else would have ventured out. During that game, other parents asked me why I didn’t do something about this untenable situation.

Actually, I was. I, as the parent of a daughter who played junior high softball and basketball, was suing the State athletic board in federal court. Further, our high school girls’ basketball coach and the parents of a player were suing in federal court to move basketball. However, the cases would have taken several years and we may not have won.

Therefore, I decided to take a more direct approach as a school board member. Our superintendent suggested I meet with the athletic directors of the conference. I did. Of those who spoke, all were against making any change. They said it couldn’t be done. There would not be enough facilities, coaches, referees and umpires, any excuse they could think of. I continued on anyway.

Here is a section of the board minutes from May 13, 1986 page 948.

“Season of Sports:

Mr. Vance moved, and Mr. Lewandowski seconded the motion that the Governing Board adopt the following directive and resolution:

It is the intent and desire of the Marana School District Governing Board that the current seasons of sports established by the AAA Conference of the Arizona Interscholastic Association and the Delta League for Junior High for girls’ basketball and girls’ softball be changed to match the season for boys’ basketball and boys’ baseball, respectively. Currently, girls play basketball in the Spring and softball in the Winter, while boys play baseball in the Spring and basketball in the Winter. The seasons of sports for Marana School District are set on a conference-wide basis by the AAA and Delta League. The Governing Board of Marana School District directs its administrators to vote in favor of any change in the season of sports for the AAA and Delta League to match girls and boys sports. The Governing Board also urges any other schools in the AAA and Delta League to support such a change.

Discussion followed.

Aye: Vance, Lewandowski, Coe, Post. Nay: Hill.

Motion Carried.”

Marana was the first school district in the State to move to change the sport seasons. The board lawyer wrote the motion for me and determined the board meeting when the motion would be made. After the motion passed, I wrote letters to all the school boards in our conference urging them to change also. I also wrote letters to all the boards in Southern Arizona who were not in our conference to change. Tucson Unified, which at the time, was the second largest district in the State and not in our conference changed next. After TUSD changed, the rest of Southern Arizona changed. Eventually, as far as I know, the entire State changed. One school board stepping out in faith changed the Statewide system.

If it can happen for this, we certainly should be able—with work, determination, and prayer—to convince the legislators of a conservative pro-life State to pass a law affirming the scientific truth that life begins at conception. There is only one way to find out. To try!

Let’s make next year, the year Texas affirms the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. The year that Texas affirms that all human life is protected by law from conception to natural death.

[Note: John Lewandowski and Dan Post are still members of the Marana Unified School District Governing Board. Some people are just gluttons for punishment!

http://www.maranausd.org/index.aspx?nid=654 ~ ]

Hebrews 12: 28 (NIV)

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe ….”

Abraham Lincoln:

http://vimeo.com/americanfamilystudios/review/112711051/80379bdcac

I will not be posting tomorrow since it is Thanksgiving Day. Have a great day and a great weekend as we give thanks for all GOD provides. Be safe.