ST. CHARLES, Mo. – On Wednesday evening, September 7th, a crowd from across the state gathered at the St. Charles Convention center for the “Missouri Right to Life Keep Missouri Pro-Life” banquet to raise funds to protect Missouri’s 52 pro-life laws and to keep the state a pro-life sanctuary for innocent babies and their moms.
Tim Tebow, gave the keynote address and in a dynamic fashion, shared his pro-life journey of having a mom who chose life for him and then instilled in him a respect and compassion for others. He said, “If Jesus died on the cross to save all of our lives, then why shouldn’t we also be trying to save the lives of those who have no voice besides ours.” His moving testimony was interrupted several times by applause and standing ovations.
Archbishop Joseph Naumann, of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, a native of St. Louis, was honored with the 2022 Champion of Life Award. In his remarks at the event, he shared his pro-life history from his priestly ordination through his work as the Chairman of the Pro-life Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Steve Rupp, President of Missouri Right to Life shared past legislative successes of the organizations rich history and then laid out the organizations 3-point plan “To Keep Missouri Pro-Life.” “Over the last 48 years, we’ve been able to pass 52 laws protecting women and children. Some of the legislation was the first of its kind.” He then cautioned the group that in this post Roe era though, “Abortion advocates are desperate to undermine the court’s decision on Roe.” He pointed out that there is already a group working to add abortion rights to the Missouri Constitution and if they are successful, it will be on the November 2024 ballot.
Pam Fichter, Chairman of the Eastern Region of Missouri Right to Life, made an emotional appeal to the attendees, “We can’t think that our work is done, the items outlined in our plan are vital to keeping Missouri pro-life.” She said, “It’s our unique focus on political action, legislation, education and grassroots activism that makes Missouri Right to Life the key to implementing this comprehensive plan.”
Founded in 1974, Missouri Right to Life, is the oldest and largest pro-life organization in the state. Through our regions and many local chapters, our three-pronged mission of creating and maintaining a culture of life through legislation, education and political action has made Missouri the first state to ban abortion. Our grassroots approach and effectiveness is why the MRL PAC endorsement is the biggest in Republican politics and also why Missouri has 52 laws protecting women and unborn children from abortion as well as providing help and support to pregnant women in need. Missouri Right to Life is recognized as the flagship of statewide pro-life organizations in Missouri that works to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.