Pregnancy Resource Centers Honored With Proclamation From Tennessee General Assembly
Image Credit: Kelly M. Jackson
The Tennessee Conservative [By Kelly M. Jackson] –
On February 9th 2023, Representative Debra Moody (R-D81-Covington) presented on the State House Floor of the Tennessee General Assembly, HJR0133, which was created to honor the pregnancy resource centers across the state of Tennessee. The resolution passed on party lines with 77 Aye’s and 22 Noe’s.
HJR0133 as the text on the state website explains, is a RESOLUTION to commemorate and honor the amazing work provided by pregnancy centers across the State of Tennessee.
On February 23rd, that resolution was celebrated in person by pregnancy resource center staff and leadership from all over the state, at The State Capitol Building in what was the original State Supreme Court Chamber.
Executive Director Andrew Wood of Hope Resource Center in Knoxville said, “today is a day about celebrating the work that is being done across the state, and we are unapologetically pro-Tennessee…what that means is we are also unapologetically Gospel-centric, we serve these moms, and these babies and these families, we are pointing them to something so much greater.”
Wood added “It’s pretty cool that in a state secular institution, they are honoring organizations that unapologetically serve Jesus.”
Those members of the General Assembly who stopped in to visit and personally thank those who were in attendance, were Senator Janice Bowling (R- D16-Tullahoma), Senator Mark Pody (R-D17-Lebanon), Senator Joey Hensley (R-D28-Hohenwald) Senator Adam Lowe (R-D1-Calhoun) Senator Dawn White (R-D13-Murfreesboro) and Senator Paul Rose (R-D32-Lauderdale, Shelby and Tipton counties).
Senator Janice Bowling, who presented the group with the resolution, added her own “whereas” as she said, “Thank you all for being here today, and for standing with us, and allowing us to stand for life, because we serve a Creator, and He created the life”.
On February 6th during his State of the State Address, Governor Bill Lee announced his plans to expand support for pregnancy resource centers all over the state, in the form of funding, in the amount of 100 million dollars.
Lee added in that address, “Pro-life is much more than defending the lives of the unborn. It’s not a matter of politics; this is about human dignity,”
A sentiment that is hopefully remembered by the Republicans in the General Assembly, who are this week, presenting bills with a goal of softening the current effective ban on abortion, put in place by the overturning of Roe V Wade back in August of 2022.
An amendment to a caption bill HB0883 , sponsored by Republican House Representative Esther Helton- Hayes (R- D30-East Ridge) will create an opportunity for physicians to perform abortions based on their “reasonable” discretion in determining if the life of the mother is in imminent peril. The current law includes an “affirmative defense” clause that would place the burden on physicians to prove their decision to carry out an abortion, as a necessary one in a criminal trial. This language has been removed.
Opponents of the law say the removal of that language creates more than ample opportunities for elective abortions to be carried out under the umbrella of “medically necessary” since there would no longer be any mechanism for accountability of the provider.
Additionally, HB 1440, sponsored by Republican House Representative Iris Rudder (R-D39-Winchester) makes exceptions for rape and incest. These carve outs require a penalty for false reports in order to obtain an abortion. Criminal penalties do not exist in the current law for anyone except the provider.
These new bills clearly contradict the point of view held by Governor Lee, who has expressed that he is satisfied with the law as it is.
While 100 million dollars of support from the governor is objectively a wonderful and much appreciated gesture, even more appreciated would be support in the form of a veto, should the aforementioned bills reach his desk.
We would encourage all constituents to reach out to Governor Lee and express their concerns with these bills, before they have an opportunity to become law.
About the Author: Kelly Jackson is a recent escapee from corporate America, and a California refugee to Tennessee. Christ follower, Wife and Mom of three amazing teenagers. She has a BA in Comm from Point Loma Nazarene University, and has a background in law enforcement and human resources. Since the summer of 2020, she has spent any and all free time in the trenches with local grassroots orgs, including Mom’s for Liberty Williamson County and Tennessee Stands as a core member. Outspoken advocate for parents rights, medical freedom, and individual liberty. Kelly can be reached at kelly@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
