ST. PAUL - Four former Minnesota state legislators have been honored for their efforts to protect life.
Former representatives Jim Abeler of Anoka, Patti Fritz of Faribault, Mary Liz Holberg of Lakeville and John Ward of Baxter were feted by Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) at its 2015 Legislative Dinner on Feb. 11 in St. Paul. With 50 combined years of service to the state as lawmakers, the four cast 420 votes in support of pro-life measures.
"These four pro-life leaders have always been willing to help and just as important, have never been willing to waver on pro-life issues," said MCCL Legislative Associate Andrea Rau in a news release. "Each of them has truly been a pro-life powerhouse."
Rau praised each former lawmaker for their unique contributions to MCCL's pro-life efforts at the Capitol, saying they all exhibited deep understanding of the issues and the politics of advancing the pro-life agenda, as well as passion, leadership and a very personal approach to the work of saving innocent human life.
Rau said Rep. Ward, born with a disability, always sought to be a leader on pro-life issues. He carried a bill that would have protected women and girls from being coerced into having an abortion, and a bill to require that abortion facilities be licensed and inspected by the state.
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"It wasn't always easy for Rep. Ward to author legislation like this, and to co-sponsor and vote for pro-life amendment after pro-life amendment against the wishes of his caucus and leadership," Rau recalled. "But not for a second did he question which button he would push." MCCL is Minnesota's oldest and largest pro-life organization with more than 70,000 member families and 200 chapters across the state. For more information about MCCL, visit www.mccl.org .
