PRA Is Being Introduced! Time to Call Congress!

The PRA Is Being Introduced! Time to Call Congress! Representative Trent Franks and Senator Jim DeMint have both agreed to introduce the Parental Rights Amendment in both the House and Senate in the next few days. This is very welcome news. And the really good news is that we have worked with National Right to Life Committee to find language that resolves their concerns. The PRA will not resolve the debate about abortion. The added language just ensures that our Amendment does not tip the scale one way or the other. And there’s even more good news! Representative Trent Franks is the Chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee in the House, and we have his promise of an early hearing – but he has asked us for one thing right now. We need to call every single member of Congress and urge them to become original cosponsors of the PRA. If we get a strong initial showing of original cosponsors, we can get the PRA on a fast track. So we need everyone to take the actions outlined below – Act right away! Action Item: Please Call! 1. Please call your congressman and ask him or her to contact Rep. Trent Franks’s office to sign on as an original cosponsor to the Parental Rights Amendment. You can find their contact information by clicking on your state at parentalrights.org/states, or ask for them by name at the Capitol switchboard: 1-202-224-3121. When you call, please be courteous and respectful. Many of these congressmen are friendly toward the Amendment, and the delays we have experienced have not been their fault. We don’t want to alienate them or their staffs with rudeness. 2. Please call your senators and give them the same message, asking them to contact Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina to sign on. You can find their information in the same places listed above. Keep in mind that Capitol Hill staff are used to dealing with bill numbers for everything. So if they ask you for one, respectfully remind them that we are looking fororiginal cosponsors, so there is no bill number yet. It is simply “the Parental Rights Amendment being proposed by” Rep. Franks or Sen. DeMint. You can also assure them that Rep. Franks or Sen. DeMint’s office is actively seeking cosponsors, so they will know what your lawmaker is talking about when he or she calls. 3. Please give generously. Your donation of $5, $25, or even $75 or more will greatly help sustain our efforts during this crucial time. As our activity in Washington picks back up, your renewed support is so important! And as an added bonus, from now through June 1 we are offering my Constitutional Literacy as a free gift with any donations of $85 or more. So if you don’t have your copy yet, be sure to request one when you give.

The Amendment With this new introduction, the Parental Rights Amendment will be slightly different than it has been in the past. The thrust and legal standard remain the same, but the fact that it is not meant to tackle the abortion issue in any way will now be a little bit clearer. Here is the new proposed Amendment, with additions in bold face: SECTION ONE The liberty of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children is a fundamental right. SECTION TWO Neither the United States nor any State shall infringe this right without demonstrating that its governmental interest as applied to the person is of the highest order and not otherwise served. This article shall not be construed to apply to parental actions or decisions that would end life. SECTION THREE No treaty may be adopted nor shall any source of international law be employed to supersede, modify, interpret, or apply to the rights guaranteed by this article.Thank you for patiently awaiting this exciting moment with us. Now that it is here, thank you for taking a moment to call your leaders and urge their support. We are deeply grateful for your support of families, parents, and the Parental Rights Amendment. Sincerely, Michael Farris President

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