A joint statement of commitment written by

Fr. Frank A. Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life

and signed by 100 leaders of the pro-life movement

across the United States of America

We, the undersigned, as leaders of the pro-life movement in America, join together today to condemn the partial-birth abortion procedure as an act that totally contradicts a civilized society. Furthermore, President Clinton's April 10 veto of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act totally contradicts the purpose of such a society's government, which is to care for and protect human life.

We consistently oppose the destruction of all innocent human life. The continuation of partial-birth abortion as a legal act in America, however, should be a serious wake-up call to all citizens. If we cannot reject this as wrong, what will we reject? If this does not disturb us, is there anything that will?

In fact, a December 1995 Tarrance poll shows that 71 % of Americans support a ban of this procedure, as do 65% of self-avowed "pro-choice" voters.

We call for an end to the myth that partial-birth abortions can be necessary for a woman's health. Expert testimony given in Congress states, "There are absolutely no obstetrical situations encountered in this country which require a partially delivered human fetus to be destroyed to preserve the life or health of the mother" (Dr. Pamela Smith, Senate hearing record, p.82).

We commit ourselves to educate every American about partial-birth abortion and to call them to a united response to end all destruction of innocent persons.

Fr. Frank Pavone

National Director

Priests For Life

Christopher H. Casey

Executive Director

Campaign For The

American Family

Beverly LaHaye

President

Concerned Women for America

Eugene F. Diamond, MD

President

American Association of

Pro-Life Pediatricians

Julia A. Grimstad

Executive Director

The Center for the Rights of the Terminally Ill, Inc. (CRTI)

Sylvia J Mobley

Executive Director

Human Development

Resource Council

Kay Ziloolsky

Founder and President

Life After Assault League

Rachel MacNair

Feminism & Nonviolence

Studies Association

Richard John Neuhaus

President

Inst. On Religion

& Public Life

Colleen Parro

Director

Republican National Coalition for Life

Marilyn Heigl

Executive Director

National Organization of

Episcopalians For Life

Jim Vittitow

Program Director

Pro-Life Action Ministries

Mike McHugh

Director

American Rights Coalition

Royce Dunn

President

Please Let Me Live

Director

National Life Chain

Kevin L. Cunningham

Director

Youth For Life

Joan Andrews Bell

Quo Vadis Rescue &

Adoption Outreach

Elaine D. Cook

Secretary/Treasurer

National Life Center

Greg Schleppenbach

State Director

Bishops' Pastoral Plan for

Pro-Life Activities

Nebraska

J. C. Wilke, MD

President

Life Issues Institute, Inc.

Kent Peters

Director, Office for the

Social Apostolate

Diocese of Duluth

Lawrence Breheny

Executive Director

Catholic Charities-Des

Moines, IA

Janet Krocheski

Director, Respect Life

Programs, Archdiocese of

St Paul and Minneapolis

Deborah Stafford Shearer

Director, Respect Life

Diocese of Orlando

Mark Lally

President

Ohio Right To Life Society

Sister John Joseph, SV

Sister Simeon Marie, SV

Sister Loretto Michael Creed, SV

Sister Margaret Robbins, SV

Sister Francis Weary, SV

Sister Josamarie Perpetua, SV

Sister Manea Doorosa, SV

Vicki DePalma

Director

Project Truth

Kevin J. Banet

President. Chicago Affiliate

Catholics United for Life

Rev. Paul Chaim Schenck

Minister-in -charge

Reformed Episcopal

Church

Conrad Wojnar

Executive Director

The Women s Centers of

Greater Chicagoland

Jerome B Higgins

Vice Chairman

Ll Coalition For Life &

NYS RTL Committee

Kathleen Essex

President

Defenders of Life

Maria McFadden

Executive Editor

Human Life Review

Rev. John B. Brown

President

National Pro-Ltfe

Religious Council

Ray Jamieson

Salvation Pro-Life Group

Anthony DeStefano

President Catholics United for the Faith

Staten Island, New York

0 W. Sailer

High Sierra RTI

Committee

Eileen M, Zeiter

Executive Director

A Better Choice, Inc

Vickie Mazur

Executive Director

Heartbeat of Monroe

James F Stapleton

President

St Claire RTL

Fr. Denis R. Breton

Pastor

Holy Cross Church

Ed & Ann Carbin

ii in & Pat Sheils

Co-Chairmen, RTL

St. Matthew the Apostle

Russell Pond

Director

NH Pro-Lite Council

Fr. Richard Hogan

Associate Director

Priests For Life

Clarke D. Forsythe

President

Americans United For Life

Janet L. Folger

Legislative Director

Ohio Right To Life

Rev. Robert L Behn

Executive Director

Last Call Ministries

John W Murphy

Vice President

Valusia Co, RTL

Joseph M. Scheidler

Executive Director

Pro-Life Action league

Magaly Llaguno

Coordinator for

Latin America

Human Life International

Gary R. Fisher

President

Life Matters Productions Inc.

Raymond E. Drake

President

The American Soc. For The Defense Of Tradition,

Family & Property

Bogomir M. Kuhar, Pharm. D

Executive Director

Pharmacists For Life Intl

Maggi Fitzpatrick Nadol

Respect Life Coordinator

Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

Jan Smith

Director

Family Resources Center

Hugh A. Pimentel

St. Martin De Porres

Lay Dominican Community

Judith A. Gorman

Director, Off. Pro-Life Activities

Diocese of Buffalo, NY

Ruben Obregon

Catholic Justice Network

Rev. Flip Benham

Director

Operation Rescue National