To: National Desk
Contact: Joe Giganti at 703-928-9695, for the 11th Hour Coalition to save
Terri Schiavo's life
WASHINGTON, March 23 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is a copy of the open
letter presented today as part of simultaneous press conferences held by the
11th Hour Coalition to save Terri Schiavo's life at the White House and the
Governor's mansion in Florida.
March 23, 2005
George W. Bush
President of the United States of America
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Jeb Bush
Florida Governor
700 North Adams Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32303-6131
Dear President Bush and Governor Bush:
Early this morning, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta denied
Terri Schiavo's parent's application for a stay of her sentence of death. The
ruling was based on arcane matters of law and jurisdiction-heady subjects that
only lawyers and judges understand. While the law may be complicated and hard to
understand, the reality is that an innocent woman, who has committed no crime,
and is only dependent upon others to give her food and drink, will soon be dead.
Her mother and father, sister and brother love her - have cared for her and
ministered to her. Her estranged husband has constructively abandoned her - yet
still claims control over her life. Her situation is pitiful, and we as a people
have failed her miserably. Our instinct ought to be to rush to the side of an
ailing, dying fellow human being. We should be willing to sacrifice to provide
her aid and comfort, but instead, we debate, litigate, and posture.
In the wake of the failure of the courts and legislatures to save Terri
Schiavo from a national experiment with Euthanasia, we are here at the White
House and at the Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee because there are yet two men
in this country that can save Terri Schiavo's life; President George W. Bush and
Governor Jeb Bush.
As citizens and people of faith - we implore, beg, nay... insist, that you
brothers, so distinguished by their singular accomplishments and political
leadership - use the Constitutional powers of their respective offices to
interpose yourselves and deploy the police services at your disposal and take
Terri Schiavo into your protective custody, direct that her food and water be
restored to her, and save her alive while the lawyers debate arcane matters of
jurisdiction and jurisprudence. For God's sake, take pity, have mercy, and
please do not delay in saving Terri Schiavo's life.
On behalf of the 11th Hour Coalition and...
In Christ's Name,
Paul Schenck, PhD, Executive Director,
National Pro-Life Action Center on Capitol Hill
Coalition Co-Signers:
Fr. Thomas Euteneuer, President, Human Life International;
Stephen G. Peroutka, Host, Face the Truth TV & Radio;
Joe Scheidler, Founder, Pro-Life Action League;
Michael A. Peroutka, Co-Founder, Institute on the Constitution;
Christopher Slattery, Founder, The Evergreen Association, Inc.;
Rev. Greg Cox, Faith and Action;
Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life;
Rev. Stephen Cox, Gospel of Life, Ministries;
Rev. John Vandenberge, National Clergy Council;
Archbishop Randolph W. Sly, Charismatic Episcopal Church
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