Montana
Personhood bills introduced, gain traction across U.S.
by Rebecca Millette
* Tue Feb 15, 2011 16:29 EST * Comments (0) * Tags: abortion, personhood, personhood usa * http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/personhood-bills-introduced-gain-tracti…February 15, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Personhood bills and amendments are gaining notice and approval across the United States, with a one such bill having passed the House in North Dakota and another the Iowa House subcommittee. Georgia, Montana, Texas, and Oklahoma have also introduced personhood legislation, reports Personhood USA.
House Bill 1450, The Defense of Human Life Act, overwhelmingly passed the North Dakota House last week 68-25. The text defines “human being” as “an individual member of the species homo sapiens at every stage of development.”
“The overwhelming community and legislative support for HB 1450 proves that North Dakota could be the first state to recognize the value and dignity of every living human being,” stated Representative Dan Ruby who introduced the bill. “The Defense of Human Life Act is just common sense… I look forward to its passage in the Senate in the near future.”
In Iowa, the House subcommittee approved a personhood bill in a 2:1 vote on Monday. House File 153 states, “life is valued and protected from the moment of conception, and each life, from that moment, is accorded the same rights and protections guaranteed to all persons.” The bill will soon go to the full committee for a vote.
“The Personhood movement is growing rapidly, and we expect victory in every state,” stated Keith Mason, cofounder of Personhood USA. “Personhood USA is in it to end it, and as we continue to see new personhood amendments and legislation, we are witnessing a historical movement to finally end the destruction of human lives and to protect women and children at all stages of life.”
The Georgia Senate has filed a new amendment to State Constitution today that would recognize the personhood of an individual from the moment of fertilization.
Senate Resolution 153, called “Paramount Right to Life,” states, “The rights of every person shall be recognized, among which in the first place is the inviolable right of every innocent human being to life … the word ‘person’ applies to all human beings, irrespective of age, race, sex, health, function, or condition of dependency, including unborn children at every stage of their biological development.”
Georgia Right to Life sponsored a non-binding poll in 46 Georgian counties last July that gauged voter support of a personhood amendment, the results of which indicated that Georgians are largely in favor of the new amendment. The poll question, which received between 60-92% support, was almost identical to the question submitted with SR 153.
Monday also saw the introduction of a personhood amendment in Montana. The Constitutional Initiative No. 102 or “Personhood” Amendment has nearly identical wording to Georgia’s, recognizing the personhood rights of all human beings.
Rebecca Kiessling, a woman conceived in rape, gave a moving testimonial to the Montana Legislature at the hearing Monday. “I may not look the same as I did when I was four years old or four days old yet unborn in my mother’s womb, but that was still undeniably me and I would have been killed through a brutal abortion.”
Meanwhile Texas introduced amendments to the Health and Safety Code in House Bill 1109, filed earlier this month. The bill maintains that life begins at fertilization and that preborn children have “the rights, protections, and privileges accorded to any other person in this state.”
In Oklahoma, a personhood amendment was also recently introduced. “Protecting everyone, including the preborn, is consistent with the vision of our Founding Fathers,” stated Representative Blackwell, one of the bill’s sponsors.
Emotional testimony heard over "Personhood" Amendment
http://www.kulr8.com/news/local/Emotional-testimony-heard-over-Personhoo…
HELENA - Pro-life and pro-choice forces clashed again in Helena Monday. The House Judiciary committee heard a bill that would change the state’s constitution to recognize that life starts at conception. Opponents believe the so-called “Personhood” amendment is another attempt to ban abortion in the state. They say it would make women second-class citizens.
Even if the bill passes the legislature and is signed by the Governor, it would still have to approved by a vote of the people. Havre Republican Representative Wendy Warburton is sponsoring the bill. It calls for a person to be defined in the state’s constitution. It would give those rights to a fetus at the moment of conception.
Rebecca Kiessling testified at the hearing. She was conceived after her mother was kidnapped and raped. She says her life matters and she believes life begins at conception and should be defined as such in law.
If the bill received a total of 100 votes in the House and Senate, it will be put before voters.###
Personhood Abortion Bans Sweep Iowa, North Dakota, Montana, Texas, and Oklahoma
The subcommittee of the Iowa House approved the personhood bill at a 2:1 vote, sending it to the full committee for the next vote in the near future. The Iowa personhood bill, like all personhood efforts, will recognize the value and dignity of every single human being, protecting every child by law.
In North Dakota, The Defense of Human Life Act, HB 1450, passed in the North Dakota House with an overwhelming majority of 68 – 25. Introduced by Representative Dan Ruby, the text defines: “Human being” as an individual member of the species homo sapiens at every stage of development.”
“The Personhood movement is growing rapidly, and we expect victory in every state. Personhood USA is in it to end it, and as we continue to see new personhood amendments and legislation, we are witnessing a historical movement to finally end the destruction of human lives and to protect women and children at all stages of life,” stated Keith Mason, co-founder of Personhood USA.
Montana introduced a personhood amendment, recognizing the rights of all human beings, no matter their size, seeking to make Montana safer for women and children. Introduced by Representative Wendy Warburton, the Montana legislature heard moving testimony from Rebecca Kiessling, a woman conceived in rape. Rebecca’s testimony includes, “ I may not look the same as I did when I was four years old or four days old yet unborn in my mother’s womb, but that was still undeniably me and I would have been killed through a brutal abortion.”
Texas has introduced HB 1109, which amends the Texas Health and Safety Code by recognizing that preborn children have “the rights, protections, and privileges accorded to any other person in this state.”
Oklahoma has also introduced a Personhood Amendment, introduced by Representative Blackwell and Representative Vaughan, which recognizes the personhood rights of all human beings. “Protecting everyone, including the preborn, is consistent with the vision of our Founding Fathers,” stated Representative Blackwell.
Press Release: Personhood In Montana Delayed, Not Defeated.
July 20, 2010 – Billings, MT – The Montana Personhood Amendment Initiative CI-102 volunteers received news yesterday that they were just 6,000 signatures short of the required 48,674 signatures to put Personhood on the 2010 ballot.
“These are all volunteer signatures, which is an amazing feat in and of itself.” commented Chet Gallagher, Personhood volunteer. These folks, both with the Montana ProLife Coalition and Personhood Montana, were working nonstop evenings and weekends to collect signatures, while most campaigns hire professionals. The hardworking volunteers see this as a stepping stone to victory in 2011.”
The Montana ProLife Coalition and Personhood Montana see the victory in submitting well over the required number of signatures, though not all signatures were certified as valid. Personhood volunteers collected nearly double the signatures that they collected in 2008, and as the trend continues, organizers are confident that Montana will see Personhood on the ballot in 2012. It has been reported that the CI-102 initiative broke records for volunteer signatures in Montana.
“All unpaid volunteers, this grassroots prolife network will work to influence the November elections and bills during the 2011 legislative session,” pledged Dr. Annie Bukacek, amendment organizer. “The killing of innocent humans is not compatible with a civilized society. We have barely begun the fight for the rights and liberties of unborn babies, and we will keep working at it until their personhood is established in our Montana Constitution.”
“Jesus Christ is building a movement for personhood rights of babies across the country,” explained Cal Zastrow, co-founder of Personhood USA. “He will continue to build in Montana, and they will stand ready. Although this year Montana citizens will not have the opportunity to end baby murder, we know will we have the chance in the very near future to protect every Montana citizen, no matter how small.”Personhood In Montana Delayed, Not Defeated.
Precious Prolife Team:
My husband and I contacted 3/4 of the county offices this morning to find out the totals they sent to the Secretary of State’s office for CI 102 Personhood Amendment. From what we have so far, there are close to 37,000 signatures with 34 house districts qualified. The estimates for signatures by the regional leaders fell short of anticipated numbers in three large counties
Even with the 24 HDs remaining to check, it doesn’t look like we’ll make the cut. Plus, the Secretary of State’s office is making an official statement that we didn’t make it. Investigation of rejected signatures will take time, and there is uncertainty of the outcome of that. And, some of those qualified by the county offices might be rejected at the Secretary of State level. For these reasons, I have altered the press release from what I sent you over the weekend.
Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Pondera, Ravalli, and Sanders Counties qualified ALL their house districts! Many house districts missed qualifying by 20 or less signatures. We’ll send you a tally of the house districts when we have all the numbers.
Press Release sent around noon today:
Montana Prolife Coalition Won’t Back Down or Give Up
Dr. Annie Bukacek, sponsor of the Personhood Amendment CI 102, got word from the Secretary of State’s Office today that CI 102 didn’t get enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot. Undaunted, she has started the process of filing for a 2012 election cycle personhood initiative, “recognizing the importance of momentum and focus,” she says, while acknowledging no actual signatures can be collected until June 2011. It is anticipated the language will be the same as CI 102, referring to the due process clause of the Montana Constitution when stating that personhood begins at the biological beginning of human life (what most people refer to as conception).
She states, “When we launched CI 102, Montana Prolife Coalition was less than six months in existence and didn’t have the infrastructure of volunteers necessary to get the needed signatures. We are greatly encouraged by the steady growth of enthusiastic activists joining Montana Prolife Coalition—going from hundreds to thousands, and we anticipate tens of thousands a year from now. All unpaid volunteers, this grassroots prolife network will work to influence the November elections and bills during the 2011 legislative session. The killing of innocent humans is not compatible with a civilized society. We have barely begun the fight for the rights and liberties of unborn babies, and we will keep working at it until their personhood is established in our Montana Constitution.”
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
We have much to be pleased about and plan to get it next time.
Annie Bukacek MDPresident, Montana ProLife Coalition P.O. Box 2758 Bigfork, Montana 59911 (406) 270-0606
A note from Dr Annie in Montana
>THE OFFICIAL NEWS OF Montana ProLife Coalition
MPLC Online | Personhood is where it’s at!
June 10, 2010
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Dear Passionate Defenders of the Preborn:
Although we don’t know yet if we’ll make it on the ballot or not this year with the Montana Personhood Amendment, we do know that baby-murder will end in Montana. Here are some examples as to why, from the signature gatherers at polling places:
1. Voters not coerced by the CI 102 Blockers. Hundreds of people in Billings signed the ballot-access petitions after voting at the polls for the primary election. The signers had to endure pushy pro-abortion people from Planned Parenthood preaching loudly for folks not to sign, “If C.I. 102 passes, it will enslave women! Screech! The police will investigate miscarriages! It will deny healthcare to women! It goes too far!...“After (or during) moms and pops would walk through that, our volunteers would simply ask, “Would you like to sign the pro-life petition?” or “Would you like to sign to stop the killing of preborn babies?”
They signed! Many took volunteer packets and said that they would try to help get more signatures. They caught the vision to protect every baby in Montana by love and by law instead of attempting to regulate baby-murder in hopes that it will someday go away. http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/government-and-politics/elections/...
2. The “Nursing Mothers with Babies Petitioners Club.” Mrs. Anna Holmes stood with her baby alone at the polls in Laurel from 7:00 am - 2:00 pm. Mrs. Kari Love covered the polls while holding her baby the same length of time in west Billings. The “Walker Club.” Donna S. shuffled up with her walker to petition outside of the busy Metra in Billings. She stayed for five hours in the sun.
3. Kids. Fourteen year-old David competed with the noisiest pro-death hecklers to show his sign and get people to come over and sign for the circulators also at the Metra, for thirteen straight hours in the sun.http://www.kulr8.com/home/related/95949389.html?video=pop&t;=a Sixteen year-old Corrie had the loud-mouthed C.E.O. of Planned Parenthood Montana hairdressing her for hours. Corrie won the debates, endured the mocking and remained to help the petitioners at her poll for -thirteen straight hours in the sun. Even competing elk-hunting petitioners commented on how impressed they were by kids with zeal and faith.
5. Well Placed. The election judges in Lewistown told us we had to stay outside. It was soon apparent that God had prompted the decision—at 6:45 AM the rising sun was shining like a spotlight on the Personhood table of petitions. I was asked to tell the voters to vote before signing our petitions. Therefore God had put us in the up-front position with a mandate from the election officials to speak to every person entering the polling place. “After you vote, I have a Pro life petition I would love to show you.” We were able to say “Pro Life” to every person coming to vote. The result was we were able to gather signatures from 1/3 of the voters.
6. Many already signed in church. Many voters reported they had already signed at church” which was an opportunity to call out praise to God and Blessings on the churches. We marveled as we saw all of God’s provision in sending helpers right at the moment of need for a break or the recognition of particular persons.
7. No CI 102 Blockers in Flathead County. In 2008, there were “No to CI 100” blockers from Planned Parenthood, NARAL and the ACLU, and many of them were belligerent. This year we had no blockers. I guess they knew it was a waste of time. AND…Planned Parenthood closed their doors during the second round of 40 Days of Prayer this Spring in Kalispell! Halleluiah!.
8. Native Americans are Prolife. Browning CCD Center has 5 precincts voting so there were many voters. Add that to the huge effort to “get out the Indian vote” in the past years and you have a wonderful opportunity for our cause. The Indian people tend to be prolife and reverent of the family. Fortunately we were located right at the entrance. Folks came in and thought we were part of the process, thought they had to show us ID. So we got to make eye contact with every one of them as we spoke to them.
9. “Bless Those Who Persecute You; Bless and Do Not Curse”. 21 and 23 year old brothers were repeatedly insulted and yelled at for collecting prolife signatures in Missoula, and responded each time with “God Bless You.” http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_da598cde-7370-11df-84aa-001cc4c…
10. Pastors. Read about one pastor who is happy when some of his members don’t come to church, but go to other churches to collect signatures: http://church.spirit.org/wordpress/?m=201006
The most important reason to be optimistic: When people believe God and obey His commands, their prayers for the slaughtering to stop will be heard and answered. It will stop in the Name of Jesus!
The June 18th Deadline is Upon Us! Come to Helena this Saturday 8 am for the Governor’s Cup Race or to Missoula 9 am for the March to Life, or to Victor 9 am for the Victor Days Parade. GREAT opportunities to collect signatures and hand out packets for others to collect signatures. Give ten friends a petition and affidavit and ask them to get ten signatures a piece. If this happens across Montana, we’ll get the cushion of signatures we need. This Sunday, the last Sunday before the deadline, collect one more time in your church or at a large supportive church near you.
May God Bless You for all your hard work in this critical time!
Annie Bukacek MD
President, Montana ProLife Coalition
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Download or print Petition Here, be sure to print both sides of petition.
Download or print Affidavit Here.
Download or print Voter Registration Here.
Download or print Poster for signature collection Here.
Posters and instructions how to use posters effectively. Here.
How to set up and maintain a table at the polls. Here.
Church bulletins, flyers and invites. Here.
An overview of polling practices and rules to follow. Here.
Giving away petition packets and the printed instructions. Here.
———————————————————————————————————————— P.O. Box 2758 Bigfork, Montana 59911
(406) 270-0606
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Copyright 2010.
Pastors Commit Sanctity of Life Sunday to Petitioning for Preborn Lives
Pastors Commit Sanctity of Life Sunday to Petitioning for Preborn Lives
Washington D.C., January 13, 2010 – Pastors across the nation have committed to using January 24 – traditionally Sanctity of Life Sunday – as an opportunity to put their faith in action and gather signatures for the Personhood movement.
“At First Baptist Jackson, we are thrilled to give our people the opportunity to sign a petition to put the Personhood Initiative on the ballot,” stated Pastor Stan Buckley, Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Jackson, Mississippi. “Abortion - the taking of innocent human life - is one of the most important issues facing our state and our nation. We encourage more Christians and more churches to get involved in the fight for life. Getting the Personhood initiative on the ballot is a huge step because we believe the people of Mississippi, if given the opportunity, will choose life!”
Petition drives in Colorado and Mississippi are getting close to having enough signatures to put personhood amendments on the ballot. “In every Personhood campaign, churches are the key,” explained Keith Mason, cofounder of Personhood USA. “This year, we are very excited that hundreds of churches around the country will be honoring the sanctity of life.”
“By default, we are called to protect human life with our God given rights and resources,” added Pastor Adam Briggs of Damascus Road Bible Fellowship in Indiana. “Let all pastors join together and publicly declare the personhood of all human beings!”
Currently Montana, Colorado, Mississippi, Florida and California are all gathering signatures to put personhood amendments on their state’s ballot. In these states pastors can celebrate Petition for Life Sunday by collecting signatures to protect every child by love and by law.
In other states, pastors can encourage their flocks to restore the dignity of every human person, by supporting or even leading the personhood efforts in their state. Over 40 states are working towards Personhood for all human beings.
More information about Petition for Life Sunday is available at www.PersonhoodUSA.com.
“We will win the battle and restore dignity to every human person in America! Let’s use the coming sanctity of life Sunday to protect children not just in word, but also in deed by affirming their personhood rights in our law and by love,” concluded Mason.
Personhood USA is a grassroots Christian organization founded to establish personhood efforts across America to create protection for every child by love and by law. Personhood USA is committed to assisting and supporting Personhood Legislation and Constitutional Amendments and building local pro-life organizations through raising awareness of the personhood of the pre-born.
Pastors Commit Sanctity of Life Sunday to Petitioning for Preborn Lives
Pastors Commit Sanctity of Life Sunday to Petitioning for Preborn Lives
Washington D.C., January 13, 2010 – Pastors across the nation have committed to using January 24 – traditionally Sanctity of Life Sunday – as an opportunity to put their faith in action and gather signatures for the Personhood movement.
“At First Baptist Jackson, we are thrilled to give our people the opportunity to sign a petition to put the Personhood Initiative on the ballot,” stated Pastor Stan Buckley, Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Jackson, Mississippi. “Abortion - the taking of innocent human life - is one of the most important issues facing our state and our nation. We encourage more Christians and more churches to get involved in the fight for life. Getting the Personhood initiative on the ballot is a huge step because we believe the people of Mississippi, if given the opportunity, will choose life!”
Petition drives in Colorado and Mississippi are getting close to having enough signatures to put personhood amendments on the ballot. “In every Personhood campaign, churches are the key,” explained Keith Mason, cofounder of Personhood USA. “This year, we are very excited that hundreds of churches around the country will be honoring the sanctity of life.”
“By default, we are called to protect human life with our God given rights and resources,” added Pastor Adam Briggs of Damascus Road Bible Fellowship in Indiana. “Let all pastors join together and publicly declare the personhood of all human beings!”
Currently Montana, Colorado, Mississippi, Florida and California are all gathering signatures to put personhood amendments on their state’s ballot. In these states pastors can celebrate Petition for Life Sunday by collecting signatures to protect every child by love and by law.
In other states, pastors can encourage their flocks to restore the dignity of every human person, by supporting or even leading the personhood efforts in their state. Over 40 states are working towards Personhood for all human beings.
More information about Petition for Life Sunday is available at www.PersonhoodUSA.com.
“We will win the battle and restore dignity to every human person in America! Let’s use the coming sanctity of life Sunday to protect children not just in word, but also in deed by affirming their personhood rights in our law and by love,” concluded Mason.
Personhood USA is a grassroots Christian organization founded to establish personhood efforts across America to create protection for every child by love and by law. Personhood USA is committed to assisting and supporting Personhood Legislation and Constitutional Amendments and building local pro-life organizations through raising awareness of the personhood of the pre-born.
