LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 8, 2006
HOUSE AND SENATE IN SESSION
NOTE: We have a special at our Internet store on "Under God" Christmas ornaments. Click here for details!
CONGRESS
THE BITTER END OF THE 109th
UNBORN VICTIMS OF PAIN
Babies in the womb suffer incredible pain from the knife of the abortionist when they are aborted past 20 weeks. By the 20th week the nerve endings have extended to the skin. When a wanted fetus is operated on in the womb by an experienced surgeon, it is first given anesthesia. If a child that is to live receives pain killers, should not one doomed to die by the mother also have the opportunity not to feel the pain of the death blow?
That is the purpose of the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act that was voted on in the House just before Republican control ended. The bill went straight to the floor on December 6, 2006 and failed even though a majority of 250 congressmen voted for it and only 162 against. Because the Republican leadership brought the bill directly to the floor under "suspension rules" a 2/3rds vote was needed for passage. The bill received about 60%.
This will be the last pro-life bill to be voted on in the House for at least two years. The new Speaker of the 110th Congress, Nancy Pelosi, is a pro-abortion Catholic. While she has five children herself, she wants to see other people's children die at the abortionist's hand. She has already made that commitment to the abortion industry to reward them for financial support in the elections.
HONORING HENRY HYDE
Congressman Henry Hyde of Illinois did not run for reelection this year, or he would have won. He has served in the House for 32 years, and during that time was the number one pro-life advocate. Whether the House was controlled by Democrats or Republicans he pushed legislation to protect the unborn. During one of the last days of the Republican controlled 109th Congress, the House voted to pass a resolution naming Room H139 of the Capitol as the "Henry J. Hyde Room." The room is in the actual Capitol Building and I have met there several times with Tom DeLay while he was Majority Leader. Many thousands of men and women have served in the House, but very few have been so honored as to have a room in the Capitol Building named after them. Having worked with this wonderful and gentle man for decades in the pro-life movement I can honestly say that no current member deserves the honor as much as he. (Click here for Chicago Sun Times story)
INTERNATIONAL
BETHLEHEM
While we continue to fight for the religious freedom of Christians in the United States we cannot forget those who are persecuted throughout the world, particularly in Islamic nations. What is happening to Christians in places like Indonesia and Pakistan should raise alarms for all Christians, but the condition of Christians in the birthplace of Jesus should make us cry.
For a decade I have been traveling to and supporting Christian schools in Bethlehem. Now that Bethlehem is out of the control of Israel and directly administered by the Palestinian Authority, the condition of Christians there has deteriorated greatly. Hundreds of Christian businesses have been closed and most of the stands selling Nativity scenes and crosses around the Church of the Nativity are now operated by Muslims. Christian children have been murdered in the public schools. We must do our best to keep what Christian children remain in Bethlehem, in Christian schools where they are not forced to study Islam.
Although we have not had the funds we need for all our programs, The Bethlehem Project continues. There is a wonderful powerpoint program at our Bethlehem Project site and if you have never viewed it I urge you to do so. We have just received about 30 hand made Nativity scenes made by Christians in the Holy town of Bethlehem. You can help Christian families, many of whom are unemployed, by purchasing one of these cute little Nativity sets. Last year we offered these for $24.95, but because we received the shipment late this year I want to sell them all this weekend so I have lowered the price to $19.95. The full amount promised to the Christian families will be sent regardless of the amount we sell these for. Click here or on image for details. (Note: Other Jeruselem stone items at our store are fabricated in the United States.)
CHRISTMAS
Some of the custom made Religious Freedom Coalition Christmas ornament featuring "under God" 3 dimensionally imposed over the American flag still remain. This is a beautiful 3" high ornament that can be purchased nowhere else! The ornament symbolizes our work to protect the words "under God" in the Pledge to our flag. These ornaments are almost sold out, we have only about 25 left!!! When they are gone they are gone. Click here or on the image for ornament information. We also have men's Christian neck ties in our Christmas store. Proceeds from sales at our Internet store assist us in our work both in the United States and internationally. AND: My autobiography, My Life Without God, which has sold hundreds of thousands of copies, is once again available at the RFC Internet store. For an added contribution to our work I will autograph for you or your friends any of the books I have written. AND: We still have some Christian men's ties in stock. We can still get them to you for Christmas! Our store is located at www.rfcstore.com.
OUR CHRISTIAN INTERNET STORES
We have two Internet stores: Find one of a kind items such as those above at our private online store and thousands of Christian books, CD's, DVD's and gifts at our affiliate store! There are literally tens of thousands of Christian themed items available at the affiliate store including jewelry from the Holy Land. It is a great place to shop for Christmas. The store is located at www.rfcstore.deepershopping.com. Please help us with our various projects on Capitol Hill and in the Holy Land by shopping at our affiliate Christian Superstore .
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William J. Murray, Chairman
Religious Freedom Coalition , PO Box 77511, Washington, DC 20013 - (202) 543-0300
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Religious Freedom Coalition * Copyright - 2006