FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. – On Tuesday Americans United for Life, a leading national pro-life group, released its annual “Life List.” The group moved Arkansas from the number-four spot in 2013 to the number-three spot for 2014.
Family Council President Jerry Cox released a statement, saying, “This is something Arkansans should be proud of. Our state is the third most pro-life state in the country. That’s worth celebrating.”
Cox said the Life List considers more than laws regarding abortion. “Obviously, when people hear the words ‘pro-life,’ many think, ‘anti-abortion.’ Americans United for Life looks at much more than just that. They consider how the sick, elderly, and terminally-ill are treated in your state; what policies you have safeguarding patients; bioethics; and so on. For them to look at every law from every state and decide Arkansas is one of the top three states in the country when it comes to protecting human life says a lot about how much Arkansans value people.”
Cox noted Americans United for Life rated Arkansas an “All-Star” when it comes to protecting the lives of women and children from abortion. “Last year Arkansas passed a law requiring abortion clinic volunteers and employees to report suspected child abuse. We also passed a law ensuring a pregnant woman won’t be charged with a crime if she uses force to protect her unborn baby from an attacker. Laws like that make Arkansas a leader when it comes to protecting women and children.”
Cox says he hopes Arkansas will eventually become the most pro-life state in America. “I hear a lot of people talk about strengthening the economy right now. I think that’s great, but a strong economy doesn’t do a whole lot of good if your citizens aren’t alive and well to enjoy and contribute to it. Protecting the lives of Arkansans should always be a top priority. I’m grateful the Arkansas Legislature made it a priority in 2013, and I hope they will continue to do so in the future.”
Family Council is a conservative education and research organization based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
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