Click to listen
For Immediate Release
Joe Moss
Board Chairperson, District 5
Sylvia Rhodea
Board Vice-Chairperson, District 8
Press Release: Resolution to Promote Life in Ottawa County
America is an exceptional nation made up of beautiful people, who share a history of triumph over adversity, with our nation built on the strength of our founding documents. The Declaration of Independence eloquently affirms, and the Constitution protects, the God-given, unalienable right to life.
On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners will consider a resolution to promote life in Ottawa County.
Children are our greatest treasure and the unborn are our most vulnerable population.
The right to life belongs equally to babies born and unborn, healthy or unhealthy, and the elderly or infirm. The unspeakable loss of over 63 million unborn babies following the Supreme Court’s 1971 decision in Roe v. Wade does not negate the right to life.
Medical and scientific evidence establishes the beginning of a human being’s life cycle to be at fertilization. Children are persons before birth, sharing all the basic attributes of human personality. Unborn children have morally and legally protectable interests in life, health, personal security, and well-being.
The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade through Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, affirming that there is no Federal constitutional right to an abortion. The people of Ottawa County have a love for life, with a desire to protect the unborn and future generations. Children are our greatest treasure and the unborn are our most vulnerable population.
In 1988 President Ronald Reagan shared on National Sanctity of Human Life Day:
“Our Nation cannot continue down the path of abortion, so radically at odds with our history, our heritage, and our concepts of justice. This sacred legacy, and the well-being and the future of our country, demand that protection of the innocents must be guaranteed and that the personhood of the unborn be declared and defended throughout our land.”
– President Ronald Reagan
We must affirm the unalienable personhood of every American, from the moment of conception until natural death. Further, we must commit to protect life, including the life of the unborn, upholding the rights and virtues of our nation and its founding.
If passed, this resolution will encourage the people of Ottawa County to promote life, protect the unborn, provide resources for expectant mothers, and support organizations which assist mothers and fathers with life affirming decisions. It will also mean that no county staff or taxpayer resources will be allocated to providing for an abortion, or for transportation to abortion providers for the purpose of obtaining an abortion.
As a community, we must also encourage adoption and the fostering of children, ensuring every child is valued, loved and protected.
We look forward to bringing this resolution to the board for consideration on Tuesday.
Update on April 23, 2024
The Board of Commissioners passed the Resolution to Promote Life. The final text of the resolution is included below, which recognizes Ottawa County does not provide abortion services, and includes support for women who make a choice for life for their preborn children and for counseling through existing resources throughout the county. Thank you board members! The resolution passed 8-2-1.
You can watch the video here: