2009 in Review and Looking Forward to 2010

Dear Pro-Life Friend,
Will You Join Us?

At Louisiana Right to Life, our goal is to build a stronger pro-life Louisiana.

And in 2009, I believe we did just that.

Take a good look below at what we accomplished this year with a very small staff (about 1.5 people) and some dedicated volunteers.

Then, see the expanded set of initiatives we are planning for 2010.

As you see, we are serious about creating a even more pro-life Louisiana. And as an organization, we are not content with doing just a few things. We put the pedal to the metal everyday and blaze new pro-life paths right here in Louisiana.

But to build a stronger pro-life Louisiana, we need the assistance of thousands of pro-life Louisianians just like you.

You can join us today with either a one time year-end tax-deductible donation, or you can join our "Every Life, Every Month Partnership" and contribute to us every single month!

Now, without further ado, lets look back at 2009, and get ready for 2010!

For a Pro-Life Louisiana,

Benjamin Clapper
Executive Director
Louisiana Right to Life

"Dynamic Dozen" Successes of 2009

Here are a dozen successes from 2009 that have built a stronger pro-life Louisiana. We are proud of each success, so these are in no particular order!

  1. Louisiana Camp Joshua Triples Number of Students Trained in 2nd Year

    In April, the Second Annual Baton Rouge Louisiana LCJ 2009Camp Joshua tripled its numbers from its first year and trained just under 90 students to be the pro-life leaders of tomorrow.  The camp, co-sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and Louisiana Students for Life, was a powerful event that sent these students back to their schools and communites to spread the message of life.  The picture at the right shows the students at the Governor's Mansion with First Lady Supriya Jindal. Click here to visit www.CampJoshua.org, and be sure to see the great video there!

  2. March for Life Reception with Congressmen expose students to their pro-life legislators.

    Congressional ReceptionEvery year, Louisiana Right to Life hosts a Congresional Reception at the March for Life in DC to expose the many high school and college students from Louisiana who attend the March to their pro-life Congressmen and Senators.  As you can see from the image at the left, we packed the room.  This year, students heard from Congressmans Scalise, Cao, Alexander, Fleming, and Cassidy. 

  3. Pro-Life Persuasion Tour Around State Trains over 200 adultsPro-Life Persuasion

    During 2009, we criss-crossed the state on a tour to educate people to be more persuasive and confident in speaking about abortion and other life issues.  We held 9 four-hour Saturday "Pro-Life Persuasion" workshops where we trained over 200 pro-life advocates. In addition to the intensive workshops, we presented the material at Tulane, Southeastern Uni. in Hammond, and UNO.  Check out more information on our Pro-Life Persuasion series, and be sure to catch the great video there!

  4. High School and College Activism Reaches Thousands of Students at Schools and elsewhere
    Education at Youth Conferences

    Through our direct efforts, and coordinating with Louisiana Students for Life, we were able to reach thousands of high school and college students with the pro-life message.  The photo here shows Kacie Hampton, LARTL's Youth Development Director, educating students at summer youth conferences.  Through Louisiana Students for Life, speaker Rebecca Kiesling reached 4 high schools, 6 colleges, and 3,000 people in 72 hours.  These are just a sampling of the numerous high school and college related efforts!

  5. LARTL assists Danielle Inn, a new maternity home, open in Covington

    Danielle Inn, a new maternity home in Covington, recently opened its doors on December 19th to pregnant woman looking for shelter in tough times.  Back in May, Louisiana and New Orleans Right to Life hosted a "Garden Party" to benefit Danielle Inn and to spread the word about the facility.

  6. Pro-Life Laws passed in State Legislative Session, including Conscience Protection Bill

    Citizens Lobby Senator Claitor in favor of Conscience BillEvery Spring, Louisiana Right to Life spends considerable amounts of time and energy to not only protect pro-life laws on the book, but to pass new laws at the State Legislature in Baton Rouge.  In 2009, Louisiana Right to Life led the charge in passing a bill that protects the conscience rights of health care professionals, including doctors, nurses, and physicians.  The photo at the left shows pro-life citizens, organized by LARTL, asking Senator Claitor to support the legislation.  The conscience protection bill was not the only success of the session- our Top Ten Legislative Successes of 2009 will be up soon!

  7. 40 Days for Life New Orleans saved at least 12 livesVigilers at 40 Days for Life

    For the second consecutive year, Louisiana Right to Life helped New Orleans Right to Life plan and execute the 40 Days for Life New Orleans Campaign.  The campaign, which consisted of a 40 day, 12 hour a day vigil at Louisiana's largest abortion facility in Metairie, end up saving at least 12 unborn lives.  Numerous schools, churches, and group participated in the campaign.  The photo at the right shows students from the Academy of our Lady vigiling at the campaign.

  8. Stop FOCA / Save HYDE Petition Collected over 12,000 signatures

    Stop FOCAOnce President Obama came in office, Louisiana Right to Life began a petition campaign aimed at Senator Landrieu asking her to help save the "Hyde Amendment" and stop "FOCA".  The petition, which garnered over 12,000 signatures, helped to signal to DC that FOCA was unacceptable.  FOCA was never taken up in Congress in 2009.

  9. Pro-Life Citizens Educated by LARTL and Speak Up at Health Care RalliesCitizens Rally at Forums

    Although President Obama did not push FOCA in 2009, he did push a health care reform package intended to fund abortion through government funds.  Since the early spring, Louisiana Right to Life has studied legislation, communicated and met with our Congressional delegation, and educated citizens throughout the state.  We have helped lead the charge in Louisiana to make sure abortion is not included in health care.  Most notably, we were present at health care forums and rallies making it known that "Abortion is NOT Health Care".  And while our campaign focused on Senator Landrieu, including newspaper ads in three state newspapers, did not get her vote, it did educate our electorate on the issues and where Senator Landrieu stands!  See more on health care reform.

  10. Over 2000 Preaux Life Magnets and Stickers on the road.

    Preaux Life Stickers and MagnetsFirst introduced in 2008, our "Preaux Life" bumper stickers and magnets took off across the state in 2009.  Currently, there are over 2,000 of them on the road today.

  11. LARTL takes over Choose Life License Plates and Distributes over 60k to pro-life agencies.
    Choose Life License Plate

    In the Spring, Louisiana Right to Life took over the Louisiana Choose Life License Plate program.  For every plate on the road, $25 a year goes to pro-life service agencies helping women and babies in need.  After improving the logistics of the program, LARTL presided over a $64,000 disbursement to 20 agencies from Metairie to Monroe.  LARTL is already preparing for a grassroots promo campaign for 2010 to put more plates on the road.

  12. All Seven Louisiana Congressmen vote to strip abortion funding in Health Care Reform

    After much communication with Louisiana Right to Life, all seven Louisiana Congressman contributed to what could be remembered as the greatest strike to President Obama's abortion agenda.  On November 7th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Stupak Amendment to H.R. 3590, thereby removing abortion funding from the House health care reform bill.  The removal of abortion funding enraged abortion supporters and has placed the issue of abortion in the middle of the health care reform discussion.  The fate of the Stupak Amendment will be decided in 2010 when leaders negotiate on the differences between the House and Senate versions of health care reform.

A "few" things we are looking for in 2010...

This list provides a look at some of the efforts we are undertaking for 2010. As you can see, we are expanding our efforts, especially when it comes to training the youth, the future of the pro-life movement.

* = Brand new