by Fran Eaton
Yesterday in the Illinois House Human Services committee, only two Republicans stood firm in a hostile environment, affirming the value of preborn humans -- State Rep. Patti Bellock (R-Hinsdale) and State Rep. Paul Froehlich (R-Schaumburg). They should be congratulated.
In an overwhelming 6 to 2 vote, State Rep. John Fritchey successfully passed HB 317, which would remove the rights of parents to know their minor daughters were undergoing an abortion. While Illinois' 1995 parental notification law is still not in effect, Fritchey is pre-empting parental involvement by making it possible for grandparents, adult siblings, a clery member or even a counselor at a Planned Parenthood abortion-providing clinic to suffice as a notification recipient.
More to come on this. . .
In addition yesterday, State Rep. Tom Cross (R-Plainfield) passionately pled with Human Services to push his legislation coordinating with State Senator Jeff Schoenberg's SB 004, which would formalize Governor Blagojevich's 2005 embryonic stem cell research executive order. In testimony, Northwestern University researcher Dr. David Kessler explained the need for embryos to be used in experimentation for the greater good of someday curing juvenile diabetes, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's and heart diseases.
Kessler also admitted to the committee that embryonic experimentation would permit "therapeutic" cloning, a research technique that creates a clone, but prevents him or her from being implanted in a woman's body to grow. Rep. Bellock said she could not support the measure because it allowed for cloning. She and Rep. Froehlich were the only two "no" committee votes on Cross' bill. Pro-life activists were disappointed that their freshman Republican State Rep Sandy Cole (R) declared her pro-choice position by supporting the bill along with Republican colleague Elizabeth Coulson, along with all the Democrats. Cole is replacing former State Rep. Bob Churchill, who was a solid pro-life vote when in the legislature.
Cross said he expects to call his bill on the House floor next week.
Both Bellock and Froehlich stood by traditional family values and moral absolutes in their questions and in their votes. They are to be congratulated and encouraged.
