My wife and I have gotten involved with an effort to promote “Choose Life” license plates in Virginia as a means by which to raise money for crisis pregnancy centers and other pro-life organizations. In other states where they’ve been introduced, these plates have been very effective elsewhere in raising funds to help mothers-in-need.
I’m late posting this - I’ve been absolutely buried with work this month - but better late than never. They’re really in need of more petition signatures and pre-orders, so if you’re in a position to participate, please do.
Read on for the details on how you can help:
Pre-Paid Applications Needed To Get “Choose Life” License Plates Approved In Virginia
Plate Proceeds To Benefit Pregnancy Resource Centers Which Assist Pregnant Mothers In Need
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Richmond, Virginia November 13, 2008: The Richmond Coalition for Life today issued a call for action from all pro-life Virginians to help get approval of the “Choose Life” Virginia license plate. Shawn Doran, Community Outreach Committee Chairman of the Richmond Coalition for Life is asking all Virginia pro-lifers to immediately get involved.
“You can help put ‘Choose Life’ license plates on Virginia roads and financially support pregnancy resource centers that assist women in need around the Commonwealth. Simply go to our web page, http://www.vachoose-life.org/ or Google ’Choose Life Virginia’. You can print the license plate application then mail it in with your $25 plate fee to demonstrate to state legislators and the Governor that you are serious about having a ‘Choose Life’ license plate. Specific instructions, the online petition and paper petitions for individuals, churches and pro-life organizations are on the website. Don’t delay; your pre-paid application will make a big difference when the General Assembly votes in January.”
State Senator Ken Cuccinelli has introduced Senate Bill 801 to the Virginia General Assembly which convenes January 14, 2009. Passage of the SB801 will make license plates, bearing the message “Choose Life” available to Virginia drivers. Virginia currently offers over 200 personalized license plates depicting themes ranging from wildflowers to college Alma Maters. With so many options for expressing what is important to drivers, Virginians are now also seeking a plate that expresses the value of all human life.
Doran said, “This license plate is a clear and colorful pro-life message which can be seen by drivers everywhere. Most importantly, the majority portion of the proceeds from the annual fees will go to support pregnancy resource centers around the Commonwealth.”
In 2003, a Choose Life license plate bill passed both the House and Senate of Virginia but suffered through large-scale opposition and didn’t make it past the Governor’s desk. Virginians who wish to exercise their First Amendment right to speak out in defense of the unborn are hopeful that this time, the bill will be passed without obstruction. RCL is attempting to rally more support to pass the bill this session.
The Richmond Coalition for Life is asking for assistance from Virginians to help make the new plates a reality in 2009. Doran said, “All pro-life registered car owners should sign the online or paper petition to support Senator Cuccinelli’s bill. For those who are ready now to apply, we really need the pre-paid applications mailed in as soon as possible.” In Florida, a similar plate was introduced in August 2000. To date, over 39,000 Floridians have purchased the plates and over $6 million dollars has been raised and donated.
Visit the Richmond Coalition for Life’s Choose Life License Plate web page: http://www.vachoose-life.org to sign the online petition, print the license plate application or paper petition or instructions for individuals and churches.
The Richmond Coalition for Life is a 501c3 non profit organization and will not retain any proceeds from the plates. The mission of the Richmond Coalition for Life is to spread awareness throughout the Commonwealth of the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.
I don’t know about Virginia, but the “Choose Life” license plates in CT are super easy to get. The only extra fee above and beyond the REGULAR plate renewal is 20 bucks . . . and that 20 bucks goes directly to pro-life organizations in the state! How can you NOT do that?
How is it that CT got pro-life license plates before VA?
And how is it that we have grand plans to overturn Roe v. Wade, when it takes years for Virginia to get license plates that say “Choose Life” on them? It’s not like these things have pictures of babies in utero on them! (But they should!)
And when’s Obama going to send me that new check??? =)
[...] This coming legislative session, with the support of The Richmond Coalition for Life, Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-37, Centerville) will patron SB 801. Should the bill pass and be signed into law, it will provide for a “Choose Life” revenue-generating license plate, with funds raised going to “not-for-profit agencies . . . that provide counseling and other services intended to meet the needs of expectant mothers who are committed to placing their children for adoption.” Lets see if certain special interest groups and quarters within the General Assembly really mean what they say about “choice,” “safe, legal and rare,” and providing funding for adoption. (For a commentary, see Cogito, Ergo Blog, here.) [...]