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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Monday, April 23, 2012

PHONE: (614) 547-0099 ext. 309

COLUMBUS, OH – Rachel del Guidice, a member of Right to Life of Northeast Ohio, won first place in the 2012 Ohio Right to Life Oratory Contest held this past Saturday at The Ohio State University. The contest was hosted by The Pro-Life Club at The Ohio State University. Rachel, a high school senior in Wayne County, will compete at the National Pro-Life Oratory Contest to be held during the National Right to Life Convention in Crystal City, Virginia this June.

“We are proud to have Rachel represent the pro-life state of Ohio in this year’s national contest,” stated Erin Cain, Director of External Affairs at Ohio Right to Life. “All of the contestants this year spoke very well on the issue. We are excited that these youth are the future of the pro-life movement.”

Second place went to Hannah Beck of Mercer County Right to Life and third place to Katelynn Buchwalter of Wayne-Holmes Right to Life.

The eight high school juniors and seniors, each of whom won their local pro-life oratory contest, wrote and presented an original speech on abortion, embryonic stem cell research, infanticide or euthanasia.

“The dignity and sanctity of human life is at the forefront of public debate, now more than ever,” said Mike Gonidakis, President of Ohio Right to Life. “Today’s teens are tomorrow’s public officials and pro-life leaders. We need to do everything we can to encourage them to establish the skills needed to speak out in a positive way.”

There were three judges for the contest, all from Columbus: Pastor John Coats, Ohio Right to Life Trustee; Judy Schlueter, Founder and Director of Bethesda Healing Ministry and Collin Maio, member of The Pro-Life Club at OSU.

As the winner of the state competition, Rachel will receive a paid trip to the national contest in Virginia this June from Ohio Right to Life. The winner of the national contest will receive a $1000 scholarship. To see pictures from the event, click here.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Thursday, February 2, 2012                                                     

PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 309

(COLUMBUS) - Today, joint resolutions were filed in the Ohio legislature, demanding that President Obama reverse a Health and Human Services rule that requires employers to pay for drugs that can cause abortions.

"Requiring religious-based organizations to cover such drugs is a blatant violation of the conscience rights of pro-life organizations and individuals. If an employer has a conscience objection to providing such coverage, this new federal mandate will force them to comply regardless," said Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis. "This completely contradicts the rights of religious liberty afforded to all Americans."

The rule requires health plans to cover all FDA-approved forms of contraception which include both Plan B and Ella, "emergency contraception" more commonly known as the morning-after pill.  There is significant evidence that these drugs can act as abortifacients by preventing a human embryo from implanting in the womb. Ella in particular is similar to the chemical composition of the abortion drug RU-486.

"This federal requirement completely disregards the religious freedoms of faith-based institutions and crosses the boundary between church and state," said Representative Stautberg. "The federal government should not force employers to offer a product that violates their conscience or force religious leaders to act against their own teachings. Today we are sending a message to President Obama and Washington that here in the state of Ohio, we believe that religious freedom is worth defending." 

"This mandate from the Obama administration blatantly disregards the personal religious beliefs of many employers," said Senator Peggy Lehner. "We wish to express the Ohio Senate's objection to this blatant overreach." 

"Protecting human life is at the top of my personal duty list.  Forcing taxpayer money and religious institutions to comply with a misguided policy from the President is something that must be corrected," said Senator Dave Burke. 

Ohio Right to Life is grateful to Senator Peggy Lehner, Representative Peter Stautberg, Representative Barbara Sears and Senator Dave Burke for introducing this life affirming resolution.

Ohio Right to Life encourages all pro-life Ohioans to take a definitive stand against the Obama mandate and oppose this threat to our freedom. Please contact your elected representative to support this resolution and express your outright opposition to the Obama mandate. Find your office holders by clicking here