Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The 2005 Kosciusko County Right to Life Banquet was held Monday at Warsaw Community Church.
Ron Henry, Grace College, served as emcee for the event and welcomed attendees. Natalie Bryan sang the National Anthem, and Denny Wilson, pastor of WCC, gave the invocation.
Four 2005 Mary Louise Lowe Life Awards were presented. Roz Morgan received an award for exemplifying the spirit of Right to Life and helping women after they have a baby. Marv Meder, Our Father's House, accepted the award for Morgan, who was unable to attend due to illness. The Times-Union received the award for fair reporting on pro-life issues. David Koontz and his family were recognized for his efforts and their sacrifices that allow him to serve both Kosciusko County and Indiana Right To Life.
Koontz presented a Life Award to William Landrigan for his "commitment to life," and recognized his 39 years of service to the Warsaw school system.
Rep. Mark Souder commented on pro-life issues currently being addressed in Congress, including the international and domestic battle against HIV, debate about teaching intelligent design and recent appointees to the Supreme Court. He said, "Addressing the abortion issue is hard, but it's the right thing to do. At least here in Kosciusko Count, we know where we stand on the right-to-life issue." He expressed disappointment on the appointment of John Roberts as Chief Justice and the pending appointment of Harriet Miers. "From a pro-life perspective, it's not clear that we have candidates who will vote for right to life."
Koontz and Jo Faulkner, Heartline Pregnancy Center, cited the dramatic reduction in abortions in Kosciusko County from 98 in 2002 and 78 in 2002, to 55 in 2003, while the number is edging up statewide. Koontz said, "It's your efforts that are making this reduction possible."
Faulkner said, "We've had more births and pregnancies and fewer abortions. We want to be known as a 'pro-life place to come.'" She also reported that Heartline has passed the legal and organization requirements to become a medical center in February, which will qualify them to give ultrasounds.
Anna Klatt, the youngest board member of KCRTL and a senior at Warsaw Community High School, spoke about the impact of the new Teens for Life group. She said, "Our goal is to equip and educate pro-life teens so they can impact other teenagers. Teenagers are more pro-life than older generations, and I can see the long-range potential for the positive influence of Teens for Life."
The keynote speaker was Mike Williams, who demonstrated the importance of laughter and how 'stupid things' were designed to make us laugh. Williams is a strong supporter of pro-life and adoption, as he was adopted by a Christian couple, and he and his wife adopted a son four years ago.
Landrigan challenged the group to continue their support for KCRTL. Monsignor James Wolfe, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, gave the closing prayer.
