Illinois Right to Life Committee
A Time of Transition
A Time of Transition Illinois Right to Life Committee has a new president! At my request, the Board of Directors elected a new president at the Annual Meeting in April. I have served as president for 20 years and three years before that as a member of the board. It has been a labor of love and a joy for me to participate in this important cause. My heart is committed to the cause of life and even though I will no longer be president of Illinois Right to Life, I will continue to work for the pro-life cause as a volunteer in several capacities. The new president is my daughter, Rosemary Hackett. She has served on the board of Illinois Right to Life for 10 years and has recently served as Vice-Chairman. Other newly elected officers are Vice Chairman – Mari Heavey, Vice President – Diane Pietrzak, Secretary – Kathy Swift. Bob Bland was re-elected as Chairman of the Board. The officers will continue to be supported in the work of Illinois Right to Life by other board members, Larry Theriault, Vice Chairman of Special Events, Dr. Rafael Carreira, Mary Lynn Davison, Rev. Jaime Canty, and Dr. Jeffrey Cullen. Two new board members – Jeff Eschbach and Dorsey Jastrebski - were also elected at the board meeting in April. It is my belief that Roe v. Wade will be overturned, not making abortion illegal again but returning the decision to the states. The battleground for changing the laws on abortion, restricting its access and even hopefully making it illegal, will be fought at the state level in all of the states. I am excited about the new team of officers at Illinois Right to Life who will be leaders in our state battle for the right to life. New ideas and new plans of action can be put in place, while still receiving the support and advice of the seasoned members of the board. My work has been made easy by the wonderful staff at the office, Bill, Alice and Denise. I want to thank Maureen Sager who is also leaving the board at this time. She has served as Secretary of Illinois Right to Life for many years and has been a friend and volunteer who has worked with me in the numerous events of Illinois right to Life.Finally, I must take this opportunity to thank all of you, our members, for your friendship and support for me personally and for Illinois Right to Life over the years. I have always considered our work a partnership with you. And the great success we have had in educating the public through speakers, college flyers, car cards, mall ads and, currently, radio ads could only be accomplished through the generous and faithful support you have given to Illinois Right to Life. I know I can depend on you to continue to support the work of Illinois Right to Life and the new officers who have willingly stepped up to defend the cause of life. Abortion can be ended in America and in the State of Illinois if we have the resolve to do it. God bless you and God bless Illinois Right to Life! May 22, 2008
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