From the opening session Thursday morning with keynote speakers Kay Cole James and Charles James to Saturday night’s closing banquet with actress Jennifer O’Neill’s personal story of abortion and healing, the 2004 National Right to Life Convention was judged to be among the best in its 32 year history. Being the presidential election year, Virginia Society for Human Life again had the honor to host the national convention held July 1-3 in Arlington.

It seemed particularly fitting to have Attorney General Jerry Kilgore help welcome conventioneers to Virginia during the opening session as July 1 was the very day Virginia’s unborn victims of violence law went into effect. Virginia had finally joined the ranks of 29 other states in recognizing the unborn child as a second victim during a criminal attack on the pregnant mother. “Connor’s Law” was among key bills vigorously promoted by the Office of the Attorney General during the 2004 General Assembly Session and the convention audience showed its appreciation to Kilgore for his leadership.

Virginia natives Kay Coles James and her husband Charles James spoke together in delivery a unique keynote address. Mrs. James, founder of Black Americans for Life, is National Right to Life’s former public affairs director and Secretary of Health and Human Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Currently she serves in the Bush Administration as director of the Office of Personnel Management. Mr. James is the director of the Office of Federal Compliance Programs and deputy assistant secretary of the Employment Standards Administration.

The couple told family stories to which the audience could relate that illustrated the need for patience, tenacity and compassion as the struggle for restoring the right to life continues. Mr. James spoke of the early civil rights work of his recently deceased 97-year-old grandfather and the positive changes made during his grandfather’s lifetime. Calling the right-to-life movement “perhaps the last great struggle,” Mr. James cautioned that it will not be a short one. “Keep up the good work. Remember, every day you are moving our nation closer to its destiny.”

Friday’s convention prayer breakfast featured Father Frank Pavone, Director of Priests for Life, and a living tribute to Terri Schindler Schiavo whose Florida family continues its valiant struggle to preserve her life. “The Ethics of Medical Decisions” was the theme for Saturday’s general session.

Over 65 workshops were offered during the three day event on such wide interest that the convention theme “Infinite Possibilities” seemed appropriate. VSHL board members among the workshop speakers were Don Parker of Alexandria, Brenda Fastabend of Lynchburg, and NRLC board chairman Geline Williams of Richmond. Mrs. Williams also served as mistress of ceremonies for the inspiring banquet which closed the successful convention.

The 2005 NRLC convention will be held in Minneapolis June 16 to 18.

Published in VSHL Lifesaver, August 2004