December' editorial now posted.

Many people feel that we should not help those who have brought their problems on themselves through laziness, drug or alcohol use, self-centeredness, illegal entry into the country, or other undesirable behaviors. Providing assistance in those cases, it is thought, only encourages more bad behavior.

The Church's teachers, however, have long cautioned against judging a person's worthiness as a condition for providing assistance. Read more . . .

This morning, New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine signed into law a repeal of the state's death penalty.

Earlier today, the United States Senate voted down the Dorgan-Grassley farm program payment limitations amendment by a vote of 56 in favor to 43 opposed. It needed 60 votes to pass.

Please express your thanks to Senator Byron Dorgan for proposing the amendment and your disappointment to Senator Kent Conrad for opposing this reasonable attempt to target farm bill payments.

We just got word from the New Jersey Catholic Conference that this afternoon, the New Jersey General Assembly voted 44 – 36 to abolish the death penalty.

Ask them to support amendments that target supports to those who need it most: family farms, vulnerable producers, and low-income food deficient families

The full Senate is discussing and voting on The Food and Energy Security Act (HR 2419), the version of the Farm Bill approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee in November. We urgently need your help in supporting (1) reforms in commodity supports to help smaller and moderate-scale farmers and (2) critical funding for Food Stamps and emergency food assistance.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED: Please call your senators at 1-800-826-3688.
[Note:  This toll-free number will connect you to the Capitol switchboard, where you will ask to be connected to your senator’s office in order to leave your message.]

MESSAGE: As the farm bill is debated in the Senate, ask your senators to

1)  Support the Dorgan-Grassley Amendment to cap commodity payments at $250,000 per household.

2)  Support  fair competition amendments ensuring a strong Livestock Title.

3)  Support amendments by Feingold-Menendez and Brown-Sununu that puts additional funding into nutrition, conservation, and rural development programs.

After many delays and false starts, the full Senate is voting on specific amendments to the farm bill. Your senators have a critical voice in deciding whether our farm bill will be changed in ways that benefit poor and hungry people here at home and around the world, make programs fairer for U.S. farm and rural families and enable poor farmers in poor countries to earn their way out of poverty. Their vote of support for the key amendments listed above is critical. Please call as soon as possible.

The Senate now has its chance to make agricultural programs fairer to all our farmers and livestock producers, and to strengthen the nutrition programs (especially the Food Stamp Program). This is the Senate’s opportunity to create a more just farm bill.

* Dorgan-Grassley Amendment: Would establish a hard cap for commodity payments at $250,000 per household, helping ensure payments are targeted where they are needed. The amendment would also make sure that payments flow to working farmers rather than their landlords. The money saved from capping payments to the largest producers and landowners would be redirected into nutrition and conservation programs.

* Livestock Title for fair competition: The Senate is amending the Livestock Title with significant reforms that are supported by sustainable agriculture and fair market advocates. These provisions will benefit independent beef and hog producers and provide contract protections for poultry growers. NCRLC is backing amendments by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), and Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT).

* Feingold-Menendez Amendment: Would reduce the amount of direct payments to very large farm operations and re-direct funding to conservation, rural development, and nutrition programs for the needs of many.

* Brown-Sununu Amendment: Would reduce the amount of funds going into crop insurance programs and re-direct funds to nutrition and conservation programs.


SOME KEY POINTS:

Current commodity programs concentrate payments at the upper end of the income scale for farmers who grow program crops, like cotton, corn, wheat, soybeans and rice. This concentration trend has accelerated in recent years. This must change so that small and mid-size family farms receive necessary farm safety-net supports.

A fair and balanced farm bill for the U.S. also requires consideration of its impact on poor farmers overseas. Please ensure that our farm support programs do not make it more difficult for poor farm families in low-income countries to earn their way out of poverty.

Over 35 million Americans -- including more than 12 million children -- struggle to have sufficient food in their homes. New investments made in the Food Stamp Program of the Senate bill are not secure and will be taken away in five years. Please ensure that Nutrition Title improvements do not sunset in 2012.

Current farm and rural development programs are not serving the urgent needs of rural America. Ask your senators to prioritize the needs of vulnerable rural communities as they vote on the 2007 farm bill.

Make the primary focus of U.S. food aid programs the feeding of hungry people by the most effective and efficient means available and building long-term food security.

Each year, the Pope releases a World Day of Peace Message. The Vatican has released Pope Benedict's message for 2008, entitled The Human Family: A Community of Peace. The message teaches about the importance of family, the environment, the moral law, and the need for disarmament as they relate to the establishment of peace.

A Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship bulletin insert is now available from USCCB.

November's column here.

The Maryland Catholic Conference has just published a set of very useful resources on immigration. With the Maryland Conference's permission, we make them available here.

The Root Causes of Migration

In the past 30 years, the number of international migrants has more than doubled, to an estimated 191 million worldwide.These include economic migrants compelled to move to provide for their families, refugees and internally displaced persons fleeing persecution, and victims of human trafficking. The vast majority are economic migrants who have few options to remain in their countries of origin. Read more . . .

The Economics of Immigration

Most immigrants to the United States are motivated to come for economic reasons: To secure stable jobs and a just wage to provide for their families. It is reasonable, in turn, to ask what impact immigrants, including those who are undocumented, have on the economy, public benefits, and native-born workers. The answer is largely positive. Research shows that immigrants – documented and undocumented alike – work hard, pay taxes and help grow the economy. Read more . . .

Resources for Priests and Others

The Basics of Church Teaching on Migration: All persons have the right to have their basic human needs met; Sovereign nations have the right to control their borders; Families have the right to remain united and the right to live with one’s family cannot be denied by law. Also: Scripture references; the Pontiffs on immigration; and The Church’s Public Policy Positions on Immigration; Read more . . .

The Legal Immigration Process

The legal immigration process in the United States is complicated, lengthy, costly, and not available to many who would like to be part of it. For these reasons, and because the process does not provide the United States with the number of workers its economy demands, the U.S. immigration system is widely regarded as “broken.” Read more . . .

The History of Immigration

History always provides us with important perspective as we seek to understand current public policy debates. This is especially true for immigration. While it may be tempting to judge the actions of undocumented immigrants today against the actions of our immigrant ancestors, the legal landscape has changed so dramatically over time that it is difficult to make direct and accurate comparisons. Read more . . .

Statement from Maryland Catholic Bishops (English)
Statement from Maryland Catholic Bishops (Spanish)

A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR GOD'S BLESSINGS
(from NCRLC’s Spirituality Corner at www.ncrlc.com/Spirituality-Corner.html)

LORD, I am grateful that I am a farmer. I am glad to live close to the earth that You have made. I am happy to spend so much of my time in the open air, under the bright sun, the symbol of Your own justice and light. I am grateful for the rain and for the freshness that it brings--the rain, a symbol of Your rich and undying blessings.

I am happy to cooperate with You in Your work of continuous creation, by growing the food that is needed to sustain life. By Your almighty power You make grow seeds I plant. You fill the earth with minerals, You send the rain and the sun, the wind and the snow--and the dry, hard seeds I plant are raised to soft, green life. You have given us great wisdom and cleverness to build machines that make the labor of the farmer much less burdensome.

Dear Lord, I am in Your almighty hands. I depend upon You for everything. If I sow the seed and cultivate the young plants, and You do not see fit to give me a good harvest, I will be satisfied. You are the Lord and master and creator of all things. You know what is good for me and what would do me harm. I trust You, absolutely and without question.

I thank You again for calling me to a farmer's life. I beg of You never to let me forget its great advantages of closeness to You, absolute trust and confidence in You, and the fullness and richness of my life, close to the earth that You have made and have so marvelously blessed.

Lord, I am grateful that I am a farmer. Amen.

Just about every news outlet is covering the news that scientists have successfully developed a way to produce embryonic-like stem cells without destroying human embryos. Here is a statement on the development by Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, chairman of the Committee for Pro-Life Activities at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

“Studies published this week in the journals Cell and Science offer new hope for advancing stem cell research and therapies while fully respecting the dignity of human life.

“Scientists in Japan and Wisconsin used four genes to ‘reprogram’ ordinary adult human cells, creating ‘induced pluripotent stem cells’ (iPS cells).  James Thomson, head of the Wisconsin team and the founder of human embryonic stem cell research, says these cells ‘meet the defining criteria’ for pluripotent human embryonic stem cells, ‘with the significant exception that the iPS cells are not derived from embryos.’

“Thus the goal sought for years through failed attempts at human cloning – the production of ‘pluripotent’ stem cells that are an exact genetic match to a patient – has been brought within reach by an ethical procedure. This technology avoids the many ethical landmines associated with embryonic stem cell research: it does not clone or destroy human embryos, does not harm or exploit women for their eggs, and does not blur the line between human beings and other species through desperate efforts to make human embryos using animal eggs.  Ian Wilmut, head of the team that cloned ‘Dolly’ the sheep, now says he is abandoning efforts at human ‘therapeutic cloning’ to pursue this adult cell reprogramming avenue instead, because it is technically superior as well as ‘easier to accept socially.’

“I am grateful today for scientists who took up the challenge of finding morally acceptable ways to pursue stem cell research, and for government leaders who have encouraged and funded such avenues.  This advance reminds us once again that medical progress and respect for human life are not in conflict; they can and should support and enrich one another for the good of all.”

Vatican correspondent John Allen reports that Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, describes the U.S. government's lack of support for Catholic schools a "disaster" and a disrespect for "full democracy." If the lack of support by the United States, as a whole, is a disaster, what would he think if North Dakota -- which ranks near or at the bottom of the 50 states when it comes to providing assistance to nonpublic schools and parents?

John Allen's column can be found here.

Approved this morning by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops -- Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Bishops of the United States

BALTIMORE-The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) today overwhelmingly approved a statement called Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States.  The statement urges Catholics to be involved in public life and to use the values of their faith to shape their political choice.  It was approved at the bishops’ general meeting in Baltimore, November 12-15.

“In this statement, we bishops do not intend to tell Catholics for whom or against whom to vote,” the bishops explain. “Our purpose is to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance with God’s truth. We recognize that the responsibility to make choices in political life rests with each individual in light of a properly formed conscience, and that participation goes well beyond casting a vote in a particular election.”

The church’s role in helping Catholics to form their consciences is a central theme of the document. “With this foundation,” the bishops explain, “Catholics are better able to evaluate policy positions, party platforms, and candidates’ promises and action in light of the Gospel and the moral and social teaching of the Church in order to help build a better world.”

The bishops affirm their legitimate role in public life. “The obligation to teach about moral values that should shape our lives, including our public lives, is central to [our] mission,” they state. “Our nation’s tradition of pluralism is enhanced, not threatened, when religious groups and people of faith bring their convictions and concerns into public life.”

Respect for the dignity of every human being is a foundation for Catholic teaching about “faithful citizenship.” The statement explains the necessity of opposing actions that are intrinsically wrong, such as abortion and euthanasia, because these actions involve directly and
intentionally ending an innocent human life. It also affirms the obligation to promote the common good by combating such threats to human life and dignity as hunger, poverty, racism, unjust immigration policies, and unjust war. “Both opposing evil and doing good are essential obligations.”

The bishops warn of two temptations for Catholics in public life. “The first is a moral equivalence that makes no ethical distinctions between different kinds of issues involving human life and dignity. The direct and intentional destruction of innocent human life…is always wrong and is not just one issue among many. It must always be opposed.” A second temptation involves “dismissing or ignoring other serious threats to human life and dignity. Racism and other unjust discrimination, torture, the use of the death penalty, resorting to unjust war, war crimes, the failure to respond to those who are suffering from hunger or lack health care, or unjust immigration policies are all serious moral issues that challenge our consciences and require us to act.”

The bishops call Catholics to a different kind of political engagement shaped by the moral convictions of well-formed consciences and focused on the dignity of every human being, the pursuit of the common good, and the protection of the weak and the vulnerable.” They add, “Participation in political life in light of fundamental moral principles is an essential duty for every Catholic and all people of good will.”

The President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop William S. Skylstad, Bishop of Spokane, issued a statement released Nov. 13 which calls for a responsible transition in Iraq.  During their general meeting in Baltimore Nov. 12, the bishops of the United States gave their affirmation to his letter, entitled A Call for Bipartisan Cooperation on Responsible Transition in Iraq.
 
Bishop Samuel Aquila of the Diocese of Fargo commented on the statement via an e-mail to the diocesan offices in Fargo today.  He addressed the phrase “responsible transition” and called for continued prayer.
 
“‘Responsible’ means political leaders must put aside their partisan views and vote-seeking agendas and work in cooperation with each other to determine how to incrementally lessen the U.S. presence in Iraq while providing for the support and safety of the people of Iraq.  Definite strategies must be developed that ensure a shift from an environment of war to an existence in peace,” Bishop Aquila wrote.
 
“‘Transition’ means a gradual, well-planned movement which focuses on the care and dignity of each human person who is involved in the war in Iraq,” he continued.  “Responsible transition can be accomplished only if our politicians put others before themselves – put peace, life and the common good before their own political popularity or party agenda.  They must ask those most close to the conflict – the Iraqis, the refugees, the military personnel – what they see as needs, rather than sitting behind desks, determining strategies that look good on paper but fail when implemented.
 
“A pull-out from Iraq based on the schedules of politicians is not the answer nor is remaining in Iraq based on the interests of the U.S. alone.  Responsible transition, based upon the dignity, safety and needs of the human persons whose lives are most closely affected by this war, is the only answer.
 
Bishop Aquila concluded with a call for continued prayer.  “I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Fargo continue to pray for peace in the Middle East, for our service men and women, and for wisdom for all leaders and politicians involved in resolving the present conflict.”

WASHINGTON-The United States and its leaders must work together in a bipartisan fashion to bring about a responsible transition in Iraq that ends the war at the earliest opportunity and minimizes the loss of lives, American and Iraqi.  This was the major thrust of a statement by Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops,  that was affirmed by the full body of bishops at their general meeting on November 12 in Baltimore. 

“As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops gathers in Baltimore, our thoughts and prayers are with our military personnel in Iraq, their families, and all the suffering people of Iraq,” Bishop Skylstad said.

The statement decried “the political stalemate in Iraq that blocks national reconciliation” and “finds a parallel” in “the political and partisan stalemate in Washington.”  Bishop Skylstad continued, “Our country needs a new direction to reduce the war’s deadly toll and to bring our people together to deal with the conflict’s moral and human dimensions.  Our nation needs a new bipartisan approach to Iraq policy based on honest and civil dialogue.”

The statement noted that our nation faces important challenges and decisions about the terrible dilemmas in Iraq.  “Our nation must focus more on the ethics of exit than on the ethics of intervention.  The morally and politically demanding but carefully limited goal of responsible transition should aim to reduce further loss of life and address the humanitarian crisis in Iraq, the refugee crisis in the region, the need to help rebuild the country and human rights, especially religious freedom.”

Read the full statement.

Questions and Answers on the War in Iraq

The Witchita Eagle has posted an obituary for Mike Farmer at: http://www.kansas.com/news/obituaries/story/224600.html

This morning, Michael Farmer, the executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference, passed from this earthly life after an heroic battle against acute leukemia. Mike was a former legislator, an officer for the National Association of State Catholic Conference Directors, and succeeded me on both the USCCB Pro-Life Committee and as a board member of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. One of his daughters, Sister Mary Ruth, is a member of the Wahpeton Carmelite community here in North Dakota.

May the angels lead him into paradise;
May the martyrs come to welcome him,
and take him to the holy city,
the new and eternal Jerusalem.

Editorials written for the New Earth and the Dakota Catholic Action dating from 2001 to 2003 have been added to the editorial page.

This Action Alert reflects the joint efforts of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, Catholic Charities USA, and Catholic Relief Services.

Call Your Senators Today
Ask Them to Support Amendments that Feed the Hungry and Target Farm Supports to Those Who Need It Most
 

The Senate will be voting on The Food and Energy Security Act (HR 2419), the version of the Farm Bill approved by its Senate Agriculture Committee last week. We urgently need your help in supporting critical funding for Food Stamps and emergency food assistance; reforms in commodity supports to help smaller and moderate scale farmers; as well as support for conservation programs that benefit all rural communities.
 

Immediate Action Required:
Call Senator Byron Dorgan and Senator Conrad (click for contact information.) Urge our Senators to:
 
Vote YES on amendments that provide additional funding for Food Stamps and for emergency food assistance (TEFAP). The Senate Agriculture Committee-approved bill contains $1 billion less in new investments for the Food Stamp Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) than the House-passed bill (H.R. 2419).
 
Vote YES on the Dorgan-Grassley amendment, which ensures support for U.S. farmers who need it most. Today 66 percent of commodity payment programs go to 10 percent of our nation’s farmers, the biggest and most affluent. Urge the Senate to pass a fair commodity title that better targets payments to those who need them while closing loopholes that have permitted the powerful to collect multiple payments. The status quo, which directs the majority of payments to large and wealthy agribusinesses while leaving behind the majority of farm families, is unacceptable.
 
Vote YES on amendments that reduce trade-distorting subsidies.  Our brothers and sisters who till the land in developing countries, where three-quarters of the population rely on small-scale farming for their livelihood, are struggling to survive in an increasingly global market that stymies their efforts to feed their families and work their way out of poverty.
 
Support the Food Aid provisions of the bill.  Support the committee bill which provides for a “safebox” with no waivers, and sets aside $600 million of PL 480 Title II resources for development programs.  We must protect Title II resources that address chronic hunger, in order to mitigate future emergencies and to help the poorest reach long term food security. Oppose attempts to weaken Committee-passed provisions on Food Aid.


Background:

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, National Catholic Rural Life Conference, Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services have been working together to seek a new kind of Farm Bill that reflects a commitment to feed the hungry at home and abroad, to offer effective support for those who till the land, while promoting fairness and equity for farmers and ranchers. We especially support efforts to target agriculture resources to those who need help the most rather than those who need it least.
 
The 2007 Farm Bill was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives (HR 2419) this summer. The Senate expects to begin voting on its version of the Farm Bill the week of November 5. The bill approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee makes important investments in conservation and includes key provisions for beginning farmers and socially disadvantaged farmers. However, more needs to be done to address the inequities in farm supports, especially programs that are trade distorting and that harm farmers in developing countries. While ensuring a genuine farm safety net, savings from greater fairness improvements need to be used for nutrition assistance to low-income people, conservation and rural development.
 
We will continue to work for fairness and justice in our food and farm policies as the Farm bill moves to conference committee for final passage, possibly before Thanksgiving.

The U.S. Bishops have stated that "the primary goals of agricultural policies should be providing food for all people and reducing poverty among farmers and farmworkers in this country and abroad." (For I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Food: Catholic Reflections on Food, Farmers and Farmworkers).  See letters on USCCB’s 2007 Farm Bill priorities at: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/agric.shtml.

Click here for a pdf copy of the Action Alert.

Please call your Senators and tell them to support a State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill that includes codifying the unborn child rule.  
 
The Senate is expected to vote on the SCHIP bill the week of October 29.
 
You may call your Senators through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or:

Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
senator@conrad.senate.gov

Senator Byron L. Dorgan
Washington: (202) 224-2551
Bismarck: (701) 250-4618
Toll Free: 1-800-666-4482
Fargo: (701) 239-5389
Grand Forks: (701) 746-8972
Minot: (701) 852-0703
senator@dorgan.senate.gov

  
Action Needed:
 
Congress should improve the SCHIP bill and garner strong bipartisan support. The bill can be improved in ways that will strengthen and increase support for SCHIP by making the regulation providing states the option to enroll the unborn child in their SCHIP programs permanent.
 
A final SCHIP reauthorization should codify the unborn child rule, so states are secure in being able to choose life-affirming health services for needy children and their mothers without involvement in abortion. Without the unborn child option, the only way states could provide prenatal care would be by defining the pregnant woman as the patient in need of “child health assistance," which would trigger funding for abortion. Also, many children born as U.S. citizens would not receive needed prenatal care because of their mother’s immigration status.
 
The legislation should also maintain and expand coverage, reduce enrollment barriers, and expand outreach. Sufficient funding should be included in order to provide health care coverage to an additional four million more low-income children, reducing the number of uninsured children by nearly half. 

USCCB Position:
 
“As Catholic organizations united by our common faith and committed to the principles of Catholic social teaching, we recognize and affirm the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death and the inherent dignity of every human being. We consider access to adequate health care to be a basic human right, necessary for the development and maintenance of life and for the ability of human beings to realize the fullness of their dignity. A just society is one that protects and promotes fundamental human rights and dignity, with special attention to meeting the basic needs of children and the vulnerable, including the need for safe and affordable health care.” (Letter to Senate Budget Committee from USCCB, Catholic Charities USA, and Catholic Health Association, March 15, 2007)
 
“The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has worked persistently to support and strengthen the nation’s vital efforts to provide adequate and affordable health care, especially to the most vulnerable members of our society, our children. We have joined with Catholic Health Association and Catholic Charities USA to encourage Congress to strengthen, expand and improve the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). We urge the Congress not to turn away from this essential national priority, but to renew its efforts to enact a strong, effective and improved national investment in the health of our children.
 
...We are convinced the bill can also be improved in ways that will strengthen and increase support for SCHIP. In 2002, the Department of Health and Human Services improved SCHIP by allowing states to interpret the word “child” in the statute to include the period from conception to birth. Twelve states (AR, CA, IL, LA, MA, MI, MN, RI, TN, TX, WA, WI) have already chosen to provide health care to pregnant women and their unborn children under this regulatory option.
 
Codifying this option will allow states to retain choice and  flexibility in how best to provide essential health services to pregnant women and children. Access to prenatal care will allow more children to be born in good health, without a need for more extensive and expensive medical intervention. States will be able to choose improved coverage for unborn children and their mothers, without being required to expand state funding for abortions which would be especially tragic in a program dedicated to the lives and health of children…” (Letter to members of U.S. Congress from Bishop DiMarzio, Chairman of the USCCB Domestic Policy Committee, October 24, 2007)

 
We urge Congress not to turn away from the effort to reauthorize SCHIP. Congress has a responsibility to support this successful program and improve it by including coverage of the unborn child. Congress should enact a strong, effective, and improved national investment in the health of our children.
 

Background:
 
The SCHIP program is now in the process of being reauthorized. Temporary funding for SCHIP has been included in the Continuing Resolution (H.J. Res. 52) that will keep the government running to November 16, 2007. A first bill (H.R. 976) was vetoed by the president, and the veto was sustained. A revised bill (H.R. 3963) was passed by the House on October 25, 2007 by a vote of 265-142. This is not a veto proof majority. It is expected that the Senate will act on the legislation during this week. The president has threatened to veto the revised bill in its current form.

For more information on the unborn child rule see: http://www.nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=258
To see a copy of at letter from USCCB to the Senators: http://ndcatholic.org/files/SenateSCHIPLetter.pdf

Why Don't We Have That? Part II

The Farm Bill finally cleared the Senate Agriculture Committee today. Senator Kent Conrad has posted his take on the bill and its impact on North Dakota. We will hopefully have a broader analysis from a Catholic perspective to post soon.

DREAM Act falls short of 60 votes to move forward
Yesterday the U.S. Senate voted 52-44 to move to consideration of S. 2205, the DREAM Act.  Sixty votes were required in order to move to debate on the bill.

The bad news is that the DREAM Act most likely will not be considered this year.   The good news is that the legislation received majority support (52 votes and likely 56 if absent Senators had voted) and that we are narrowing the gap of achieving 60 votes to move toward consideration of immigration legislation. Below you will find the results of the vote. 

Senators Conrad and Dorgan voted against moving the bill forward. Please contact them to express your disappointment. 

The U.S. Senate will have its first procedural vote on the DREAM ACT on Wednesday, October 24, 2007.  This act will permit certain immigrant students who have grown up in the United States to apply for temporary legal status and eventual permanent status if they attend college for two years or serve in the U.S. military. We need to redouble our efforts to get in phone calls and messages.

Take Action!

Votes on the bill could continue until the end of the week.   Call 202-224-3121 ASAP and ask your Senator to vote yes on the DREAM Act, S. 2205.  
For more information on the DREAM ACT:

WHAT:  The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (S. 2205, the DREAM Act) is likely to be debated on the floor of the U.S. Senate  this week.  Sponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Richard Lugar (R-IN), the bill would provide many students who are children of undocumented immigrants and who graduate from high school, with the opportunity to gain citizenship and access to higher education.

ACTION NEEDED:  Click on "Take Action" and enter your zip code to contact both of your Senators today and ask them to support the DREAM act.  We have provided a pre-formatted letter for you to personalize and to help get you started.

BACKGROUND:  S. 2205 would permit certain immigrant students who have grown up in the United States to apply for temporary legal status and eventual permanent status if they attend college for two years or serve in the U.S. military. It applies to those young persons who entered the United States at least five years prior to enactment of the bill. S. 2205 does NOT contain a provision permitting states to more easily offer in-state tuition to undocumented students (this provision was included in earlier versions of the bill)

Employment Opening for NCRLC Executive Director
 
The nonprofit, membership-based National Catholic Rural Life Conference (NCRLC) is seeking an Executive Director. Applications are invited immediately. The Executive Director has overall management responsibility for NCRLC and its four pillars of advocacy, outreach, education and spirituality. NCRLC is based in Des Moines, Iowa and currently has a staff of four. The executive director is expected to have experience in rural pastoral life, sustainable agriculture and food policy. Fundraising and program development are important elements. He/she reports to a national Board of Directors. Full job description at www.ncrlc.com.
 

Send a cover letter, your resume and salary history by November 12, 2007 to:
Sr. Christine Pratt, NCRLC Search Committee, 537 Lime St., Fremont, OH 43420
Or email to cpratt@toledodiocese.org

The North Dakota Catholic Conference has long supported the State Children's Health Insurance Program and has supported its expansion in North Dakota. The conference has also called on the federal government to renew and adequately fund the program.

Since the vote on whether to override the President's veto is a federal matter, the North Dakota Catholic Conference will take direction, if any, on the matter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB.) USCCB has historically supported SCHIP and has been involved in discussions regarding the renewal of the program. At this time, however, it has not expressed a position on the vote on whether to override the President's veto.

Since some abortion proponents attempted to include abortion funding in SCHIP and to prohibit states from including unborn children as “children” under the law, some persons are under the impression that USCCB opposes the current legislation. This is not true. Those efforts were defeated and the bill sent to President Bush retain the current law's prohibitions on using SCHIP for abortion.

For further clarification, the Catholic Health Association and Catholic Charities – USA supported the SCHIP legislation passed by Congress and which the President vetoed.

Those interested in the Farm bill should look at this joint letter from USCCB, Catholic Relief Services, National Catholic Rural Life Conference, and Catholic Charities USA.

We are continuing our posting of articles from the 2007 - 2008 Respect Life Program from the USCCB. Here is the second installment -- Helen Alvare's Assisted Reproductive Technology and the Family.

It is often said that the states are laboratories for the development public policy. Our federal system allows states to enact legislation independent from each other, each responding to their unique history, traditions, and conditions. When one state enacts legislation, other states may follow and try to improve on its example.

Inevitably, someone, looking at another state, will ask, “Why don't we do that?” What works or is possible in one state, however, may not work or be possible in another state. Here is a look at some laws in other states that have not been embraced in North Dakota. (Read More . . .)

WASHINGTON - In a statement released September 27, Bishop Gerald R. Barnes of San Bernardino, CA, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, expressed concern about the direction and tone of the national debate on immigration.  Legislation to comprehensively reform the U.S. immigration system failed in the U.S. Senate June 28.
“The immigration reform debate, while provoking informed analysis and thoughtful discussion, also has generated harsh rhetoric against migrants in this country, particularly those without legal status,” said Bishop Barnes.  “Fanned by talk radio and anti-immigrant organizations, this rhetoric has inflamed fears and misunderstanding among some portions of the American public, leading to a polarized and vitriolic atmosphere.” 
Bishop Barnes also said that the increase in enforcement initiatives at the federal and local levels will not solve the issue of illegal immigration but will drive immigrants further into the shadows and create fear in immigrant communities. Bishop Barnes pointed to enforcement raids, state and local enforcement initiatives, and other administrative actions as examples of an immigration system that needs reform.
“We reaffirm our view that enforcement-only measures at any jurisdictional level will further drive undocumented migrant workers into a hidden underclass and create more fear and suspicion in immigrant communities,” Bishop Barnes said.
“The U.S. bishops acknowledge the right of our country to secure our borders and enforce immigration law.  Such enforcement, however, must respect human rights and dignity and minimize the separation of families.”
Bishop Barnes urged Congress to return to the consideration of comprehensive immigration reform as soon as possible.  “We call upon Catholics and all Americans to work together constructively to ensure a positive outcome to this vital national debate.”

Here's the Press Release from USCCB:

WASHINGTON—In response to a request by the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s teaching on providing nutrition and hydration to patients in a persistent “vegetative state.”

The bishops presented two questions in a formal manner, known as a “dubium,” to the Congregation. The reply, which was approved by Pope Benedict XVI.

The responses reaffirm the church position that patients in a “vegetative state” are living human beings with inherent dignity and deserve the same basic care as other patients. This basic care would include nutrition and hydration, even when provided through artificial assistance.

“The administration of food and water even by artificial means is, in principle, an ordinary and proportionate means of preserving life,” according to the Congregation’s response. “It is therefore obligatory to the extent to which, and for as long as, it is shown to accomplish its proper finality, which is the hydration and nourishment of the patient. In this way suffering and death by starvation and dehydration are prevented.”

The bishops also asked for clarification as to whether nutrition and hydration could be removed if physicians determined that the patient would never recover consciousness. The Congregation affirmed that the patient must receive “ordinary and proportionate care which includes, in principle, the administration of water and food even by artificial means” regardless of the prognosis of recovery of consciousness.

A Vatican commentary noted some possible exceptions.

“When stating that the administration of food and water is morally obligatory in principle, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith does not exclude the possibility that, in very remote places or in situations of extreme poverty, the artificial provision of food and water may be physically impossible,” it said.

“Nor is the possibility excluded that, due to emerging complications, a patient may be unable to assimilate food and liquids, so that their provision becomes altogether useless. Finally, the possibility is not absolutely excluded that, in some rare cases, artificial nourishment and hydration may be excessively burdensome for the patient or may cause significant physical discomfort, for example resulting from complications in the use of the means employed.”

“These exceptional cases, however, take nothing away from the general ethical criterion, according to which the provision of water and food, even by artificial means, always represents a natural means for preserving life, and is not a therapeutic treatment. Its use should therefore be considered ordinary and proportionate, even when the “vegetative state” is prolonged,” it added.

The bishops asked the Holy See for clarification of the Church’s teaching after Pope John Paul II’s address on March 20, 2004, to an international congress sponsored by the Pontifical Academy for Life and the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations.

“We are grateful that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith responded to our request with such a thorough investigation and explanation,” Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport, Connecticut, chair of the U.S. bishops’ Committee for Doctrine, said in introducing the Response. “We hope the Church’s documents on this issue will provide help and guidance to pastors, ethicists, doctors, nurses and families involved in the care of those diagnosed as being in a persistent ‘vegetative state.’”

The responses from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF)  ( www.usccb.org/comm/hydrationletter.doc ), a CDF commentary ( www.usccb.org/comm/hydrationcommentary.doc ), approved by Cardinal William Levada and bishop members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and a Q&A from the USCCB Committee on Doctrine and Committee on Pro-Life Activities  ( www.usccb.org/comm/hydrationq&a.doc ) can be found on the Web.

“Care of water resources and attention to climate change are matters of grave importance for the entire human family… Encouraged by the growing recognition of the need to preserve the environment, I invite all of you to join me in praying and working for greater respect for the wonders of God’s creation!”

To find out more about what you can do, check out:

The Climate Change Justice and Health Initiative - a project of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change

The Prairie Climate Stewardship Network

WASHINGTON—A spokeswoman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Deirdre McQuade, praised the Senate’s vote last night to maintain the longstanding federal law against any involvement in coercive abortion programs overseas.  She also faulted the Senate for voting to overturn the Mexico City Policy, which denies U.S. funds to organizations that perform and promote abortion as a method of family planning.  Both votes occurred during debate on the State Department/Foreign Operations appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2008 (H.R. 2764).

On September 6, the Senate voted 48-to-45 to approve an amendment by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) to restore the “Kemp-Kasten Amendment” deleted from the bill in committee.  Since 1985, this provision has denied U.S. funds to any organization or program that, as determined by the President, “supports or participates in the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization.”

“I commend the Senate for refusing to participate in such atrocities against vulnerable women and their children in the developing world,” Ms. McQuade said.  “At the same time, it is disconcerting to think that this was considered debatable at all – and that the vote was so close. By a vote of 53 to 41, the Senate also passed an amendment by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) to negate the Mexico City Policy. An amendment offered by Senator Brownback to reinstate the policy was defeated by the same margin.
           
“After witnessing their good sense on the Kemp-Kasten provision, I am extremely disheartened to see our Senators reject the Mexico City Policy,” Ms. McQuade said.

In a letter sent to all Senators before the votes, Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia and chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities, had urged Senators to preserve both the Mexico City and Kemp-Kasten policies.  Without the Mexico City policy, he said, “abortion-promoting organizations will exploit their status as the conduits for U.S. aid to promote abortion to vulnerable women in the Third World.”

Before the votes, President George W. Bush also reaffirmed his pledge to veto any appropriations bill that “weakens current Federal policies and laws on abortion.”  Deirdre McQuade expressed her appreciation for the President’s veto pledge: “We are very grateful to the President for his commitment to these basic, long-standing policies protecting both mother and child.  We hope and expect that due to his pledge, and the pledge by many members of Congress to uphold such a veto, the Mexico City Policy will be preserved in law this year.”

The full text of Cardinal Rigali’s letter to the Senate can be found at:  www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/abortion/foreignops2008.pdf

An Orientation to the Northern Plains for Clergy from
All Denominations
October 8 - 9, 2007
Maryvale at Valley City
Sponsored by the eleven member denominations of the
North Dakota Conference of Churches

For All New or Experienced Clergy, Church Workers, and Their Spouses

Effective ministry in any setting requires a knowledge of the people and the place — the history, culture and realities of life in the area. Whether you are new to the ministry or have years of experience, North Dakota 101 is designed to help you gain a greater understanding of North Dakota, its people, and life on the Northern Plains. Speakers include representatives from a variety of fields and veteran pastors who will share their knowledge of North Dakota. This annual event is an enlightening experience and opportunity to meet others from around the state who face similar challenges.

For more information, download the brochure or contact the North Dakota Conference of Churches at: 701-226-8037; exe_sec.ndcc@yahoo.com.

A letter from Planned Parenthood's Amy Jacobson in the Bismarck Tribune prompted this response from Christopher Dodson, executive director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference. Word limits prevented Dodson from listing sources for the studies mentioned in the letter. This restatement of the letter gives citations in bold.

Planned Parenthood's Amy Jacobson accuses pro-life groups of falsely claiming that emergency contraception is an abortifacient. Maybe we could quibble about the definition of “abortifacient,” but the fact remains that both the FDA and the pill's manufacturer admit that emergency contraception may prevent implantation of a newly formed embryo.  [Concerning the definition of what is an embryo, see http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/bioethic/fact298.shtml.] Call it what you will, but in those cases where fertilization has occurred, emergency “contraception”  works only because it prevents the embryo from attaching to the uterine wall. [According to the FDA, "EC pills ... act by delaying or inhibiting ovulation, and/or altering tubal transport of sperm and/or ova (thereby inhibiting fertilization), and/or altering the endometrium (thereby inhibiting implantation)" (FDA Notice, 62 Fed. Reg. 861 [Feb. 25, 1997]).]
 
Ms. Jacobson also claims that greater access to contraception and emergency contraception will reduce  unintended pregnancies and abortions.   A report from Planned Parenthood's own research arm, however, shows that states that most aggressively promote contraceptives have some of the highest abortion rates in the country.  States that do not, such as Kansas and the Dakotas, have the lowest abortion rates. [Data available from Guttmacher Institute's "Contraception Counts: Ranking State Efforts" (http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/2006/02/28/IB2006n1.pdf) and "Abortion in Women's Lives" (http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/2006/05/04/AiWL.pdf); for analysis of the data, see: Response to Guttmacher Institute’s Claims On Contraception and Abortion Policy and Latest Guttmacher Institute Report At Odds With Itself.]

Studies from other countries also show that contraceptive programs do not reduce abortion rates. [A. Glasier et al., “Advanced provision of emergency contraception does not reduce abortion rates," Contraception 69 (May 2004): 361-6 (www.cwfa.org/images/content/scotland0905.pdf; visited Feb. 14, 2007).T. Raine et al., “Direct Access to Emergency Contraception Through Pharmacies and Effect on Unintended Pregnancy and STIs,” Journal of the American Medical Association 293 (2005): 54-62 (www.dph.sf.ca.us/sfcityclinic/providers/Directaccesscontraception.pdf; visited Feb. 14, 2007).Xiaoyu Hu et al., “Advanced provision of emergency contraception to postnatal women in China makes no difference in abortion rates: a randomized controlled trial,” Contraception 72 (2005): 111-6.S. Girma and D. Paton, "Matching Estimates of the Impact of Over-the-Counter Emergency Birth Control on Teenage Pregnancy," University of Nottingham School of Business Occasional Paper Series, No. 2005-15 (October 2005) (www.nottingham.ac.uk/%7Elizecon/RePEc/pdf/matching.pdf; visited Feb. 14, 2007; Anna Glasier, Editorial, “Emergency Contraception: Is it worth all the fuss?”, British Medical Journal 333 (2006): 560-1; A. Williams, "The Morning-After Pill," Scottish Council of Human Bioethics (Nov. 2005) (www.schb.org.uk, click on "Publications" then "Sexual Health;" T. Tyden et al., “No reduced number of abortions despite easily available emergency contraceptive pills,” Lakartidningen 99 (2002): 4730-2, 4735 (abstract at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12523048&dopt=Citation; visited Feb. 14, 2007; J. Gardner et al., “Increasing Access to Emergency Contraception Through Community Pharmacies: Lessons from Washington State,” Family Planning Perspectives 33 (2001): 172-5 (www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3317201.pdf; visited Feb. 14, 2007).]

In fact, says one recent overview: “Most studies that have been conducted during the past 20 years have indicated that improving access to contraception did not significantly increase contraceptive use or decrease teen pregnancy.” [Douglas Kirby, “Reflections on Two Decades of Research on Teen Sexual Behavior and Pregnancy,” Journal of School Health 69.3 (March 1999).]

The same is true with emergency contraceptives. When leading experts who favor emergency contraception programs recently summarized 23 studies gauging the effect of such programs, they had to admit that not one of the 23 found a reduction in unintended pregnancies or abortions.  [E. Raymond et al., “Population Effect of Increased Access to Emergency Contraceptive Pills,” Obstetrics & Gynecology 109 (2007): 181-8.]

Each year the chair of the Domestic Policy Committee of the USCCB issues a Labor Day Statement. Here is this year's statement.

Each year, the USCCB Office of Pro-Life Activities produces a Respect Life Program with to assist everyone with learning about and educating on issues concerning human life. The central piece of the program is a series of excellent articles written by experts in their fields.

Once a month, we will post one of the articles on this web site.

To start us out, here is The Person with Mental Illness: Bearing God's Image by Rev. Richard Gill, L.C.

The Respect Life Office of the Fargo Diocese will host a one-day workshop on Life Issues Saturday, October 27, 2007, 9 am. - 4 pm at Cardinal Muench Seminary, 100 35th Ave NE, Fargo.

Morning presentations on beginning-of-life issues include: “Prenatal Testing and Perinatal Hospice” by Dr. Richard Vetter and “Women’s Health Issues” by Dr. Mary W. Martin, FACOG.

Afternoon workshops will focus on end-of-life care. Presentations include “Ethical Approach to End-of-Life Care Decisions” by Fr. Dale Kinzler, “The Catholic Health Care Directive” by Christopher Dodson, and “Catholic Funerals and Cremation” by Fr. Brian Moen.

Parish nurses, health care providers and interested persons are encouraged to attend. Contact hours will be available for nurses. Cost is $10/person. Lunch will be provided. Registration is required. For more information contact Rachelle, 701-356-7910, e-mail: rachelle.sauvageau@fargodiocese.org.
Click here for a registration form.

The U.S. bishops decried Amnesty International’s recent decision to support abortion, calling the change in the organization’s longstanding position divisive and an affront to “people in many nations, cultures and religions who share a consistent commitment to all human rights.” The bishops also urged the organization to reverse its policy to correct its error. Their position was outlined in an August 23 statement from Bishop William S. Skylstad, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The statement follows.

A Statement of the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Bishop William S. Skylstad, Bishop of Spokane
August 23, 2007
 

After nearly a year of dialogue with leaders of Amnesty International (AI), the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops strongly protests the recent action of AI’s International Council to promote worldwide access to abortion.  This basic policy change undermines Amnesty’s longstanding moral credibility and unnecessarily diverts its mission. In promoting abortion, Amnesty divides its own members (many of whom are Catholics and others who defend the rights of unborn children) and jeopardizes its support by people in many nations, cultures and religions who share a consistent commitment to all human rights. 


Amnesty International's action will lead many people of conscience to seek alternative means to end grave human rights abuses, fight injustice, and promote freedom of conscience and expression.  The essential work of protecting human life and promoting human dignity must
carry on.  We must continue to oppose the use of the death penalty and the crushing effects of dehumanizing poverty. We must continue to stand with prisoners of conscience, refugees and migrants, and other oppressed peoples. But we will seek to do so in authentic ways, working most closely with organizations who do not oppose the fundamental right to life from conception to natural death.
           
To some, the action of Amnesty International may appear to be a compassionate response to women in difficult situations of pregnancy, but this is a false compassion.  True commitment to women's rights puts us in solidarity with women and their unborn children.  It does not pit one against the other but calls us to advocate on behalf of both.  As our Conference has argued, a far more compassionate response is to provide support and services for pregnant women, advance their educational and economic standing in society, and resist all forms of violence and stigmatization against women.  The Catholic Church provides these services to many women around the world and will continue to do so.
        
    We call upon Amnesty International once again to act in accord with its noblest principles, reconsider its error, and reverse its policy on abortion.       
       

Senator Kent Conrad will hold two public meetings on the Farm Bill. Rep. Colin Peterson, Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, will be at the meeting in Hillsboro.

Hillsboro Farm Bill Meeting
Where:
Lynn Kritzberger Farm
¾ of a mile west of the 104 Interchange off I29
When:
Tuesday, August 28 at 2 p.m
  
Mandan Farm Bill Meeting
Where:
Kevin and Yvonne Schmidt Farm
5105 Hwy 1806, Mandan
When:
Wednesday, August 29 at 10 a.m

Two Items:
First, Father Jack Davis, a priest from the Fargo Diocese serving in Peru has notified the diocese that he and the visitors helping with the mission are fine.

Second, below is information from Catholic Relief Services on their activities and how you can help.

Catholic Relief Services Responds to Deadly Earthquake in Peru
CRS field teams poised to deliver emergency medical care, shelter

 Baltimore, MD, August 16, 2007 – Catholic Relief Services (CRS) staff in Peru are rushing to assist survivors of the country’s worst earthquake in more than 30 years.  More than 450 people are reported dead, and over 1,500 others injured.
 Last night’s powerful 8.0 magnitude earthquake toppled homes, churches and buildings from the temblor’s epicenter in the Department of Ica to the capitol city Lima, over 100 miles away. Powerful aftershocks, registering as high as 6.0 are expected to continue, putting people already affected by extreme winter weather at even greater risk.
 Initial reports from Ica say bodies remain buried in the rubble, and hospitals are struggling to provide care.  Thousands of victims, now homeless, are seeking shelter.
 The Pan American Highway, the only thoroughfare on the coast of Peru, is severely damaged, making what is normally a 2.5-hour journey into one of more than 8 hours. And the destruction of phone lines and cellular towers has further hampered relief efforts.
 CRS field staff are identifying critical needs and coordinating the delivery of life-saving supplies. Based on past CRS disaster relief efforts, medical equipment, food, shelter, blankets and other essential materials will be critical over the next several days.
 The government of Peru has declared a state of emergency, and countries such as Mexico and Panama have pledged aid.   
 CRS staff on the ground in Peru available for interviews. Please contact Robyn Fieser at 410-951-7341 or e-mail her at rfieser@crs.org.  Biographical material is available upon request.
 How to Help:
 Donate online:   www.crs.org
Donate via phone:  1-877-HELP-CRS
Mail a check:   
Catholic Relief Services
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, Maryland 21203-7090
Memo section of check: Peru Earthquake Fund
 

Catholic Charities of North Dakota is cosponsoring a Parish Social Ministry Regional Training October 12-14, 2007 in Paynesville, MN.

Parish Social Ministry Regional Trainings are an opportunity for people in parishes, dioceses and Catholic Charities agencies to gain practical hands on experience and to share best practices in a convening rooted in prayer and community.

Highlights of this Parish Social Ministry Regional Training will include:
• an opportunity to learn new skills;
• a prophetic vision of church in our world today;
• the fundamental call we share to be church to each other and the stranger;
• a spiritually renewing and encouraging atmosphere.

Download a brochure and registration form.

For more information, contact:
Kathy Langer
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud
(320) 229-6020 or 1-800-830-8254 ext 2020
klanger@gw.stcdio.org

Today's Fargo Forum has a story on the success of the state children's health insurance program and the efforts in Washington to renew the program.

Former lieutenant governor Lloyd Omdahl recent column in the Forum discusses the faith-based and community initiatives. Here is North Dakota Catholic Conference executive director Christopher Dodson's letter in response.

Column on Ten Commandments monument issue posted here.

Restore Justice is a national web site originally started by the California Catholic Conference dedicated to implementing Catholic principles into our criminal justice system. Check it out.

Go here for more information on the Catholic Health Care Conference on Organ Donation on October 9, 2007 in Bismarck.

Press Release from the U.S. House:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a new Farm Bill that makes historic investments in fruit and vegetable production, conservation, nutrition and renewable energy while maintaining a strong safety net for America's farmers and ranchers.

"This Farm Bill is about much more than farms. It is about the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and increasingly the fuel we will use. It assures that we will have a safe, strong food supply now and for years to come," Chairman Peterson said.

"I am proud of the balanced and forward-looking Farm Bill that we have passed supporting conservation, nutrition, rural, renewable energy, labor, and farm country."

Important highlights of the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) include:
. Investing more than $1.6 billion in priorities to strengthen and support the fruit and vegetable industry in the United States. A new section for Horticulture and Organic Agriculture includes nutrition, research, pest management and trade promotion programs.
. Implementing Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for fruit, vegetables and meat after years of delay.
. Expanding the USDA Snack Program, which helps schools provide healthy snacks to students during after-school activities to all 50 states and continuing the DOD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which provides a variety of fresh produce to schools.
. Strengthening and enhancing the food stamp program by reforming benefit rules to improve coverage of food costs and expand access to the program with additional funding support.
. Including key provisions that invest in rural communities nationwide, including economic development programs and access to broadband telecommunication services.
. Providing farmers participating in commodity programs with a choice between traditional price protection and new market-oriented revenue coverage payments.
. Strengthening payment limits to ensure that people making more than $1 million a year (adjusted gross income) can't collect conservation and farm program payments and closing loopholes that allow people to avoid payment limits by receiving money through multiple business units.
. Extending and making significant new investments in popular conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Farm and Ranchland Protection Program, and many others.
. Making important new investments in renewable energy research, development and production in rural America.
. Rebalancing loan rates and target prices among commodities, achieving greater regional equity.
. Establishing a new National Agriculture Research Program Office to coordinate the programs and activities of USDA's research
agencies to minimize duplication and maximize coordination at all levels and creates a competitive grants program.
. Protecting and sustaining our nation's forest resources.

The House of Representatives passed the 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) by a vote of 231-191. The Senate must now consider the Farm Bill.

The 2002 Farm Bill expires on September 30, 2007.

As congressional action progresses in both chambers on children's health legislation, Catholic Health Association organized a large, diverse group to emphasize support for SCHIP reauthorization at a press conference July 25 in the U.S. Capitol. The coalition included representatives from prominent health care, labor, business, religious, consumer, child advocacy groups, and think tanks. Speakers urged Congress to keep moving forward and quickly reauthorize SCHIP, while also asking the Administration to reconsider its opposition to the legislation currently proposed. CHA President and CEO Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, also released new polling data commissioned by CHA showing strong public support for SCHIP as well as opposition to the president's veto threat. Following the press conference, CHA delivered teddy bears symbolizing the coalition's theme ("Losing SCHIP Would Be Unbearable") to congressional offices along with the coalition message to keep supporting the children's health coverage program. More information about the press event is available on the CHA website.

North Dakota's Catholic Health Care providers will gather October 9, 2007 for their annual conference. This year's conference will focus on ethical issues in human organ transplantation The conference “Sharing the Gift of Life: Organ Donation and Transplantation” will host speakers Fr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, PhD, National Catholic Bioethics Center, Dr. Bhargav Mistry, Director Transplant Program, Meritcare, and Susan Mau Larson, APR, Life Source.  The conference will be held at St. Alexius Hospital, Bismarck, ND. Cost is $75 per person and includes lunch. This event is sponsored by the North Dakota Catholic Conference and the Diocese of Fargo Respect Life Office. For more information contact Rachelle Sauvageau, 701-356-7910. 

Check back for more information.

 
                        FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP:  CLIMATE &  ENERGY
 
            MEDINA - “Faithful Stewardship: Climate & Energy” will be the topic of the annual Rural Life Convocation to be held on August 19 –  20, sponsored by the Rural Life Committee of the North Dakota Conference of Churches.
 
            Tim Kautza, a science and environmental specialist with the National Catholic Rural Life Conference (NCRLC) will lead the convocation.  Kautza, who was recently named NCRLC’s interim executive director, brings 30 years of natural science experience with a masters degree in education to faith issues and parish ministry.  Kautza will lead discussions of the principles of faithful stewardship and energy, and personal, community and societal stewardship opportunities.
 
            Also serving as a resource person for the event will be Renee Gopal of Ashley, ND, who is the Project Coordinator of the Prairie Climate Stewardship Network. She will introduce the work of the newly formed non-profit organization in the state which is seeking to build public and private support for climate stewardship initiatives in the Northern Plains and to increase public understanding of global climate change.  Gopal is the former executive secretary of the North Dakota Conference of Churches.
 
            The Rural  Life Convocation which is conducted annually by the Rural Life Committee of the North Dakota Conference of Churches, focuses on issues of concern to the rural faith community.  “No matter how we understand the issues of energy and the global climate, we recognize that this is a matter of stewardship for the faith community,” according to Pastor Karl Limvere of Medina, who chairs the Rural Life Committee.   “As stewards of creation, we have a responsibility to both better understand our impact upon the global environment and to take appropriate actions so that future generations will be able to enjoy the fullness of the creation we have been given.”
 
            The event will be hosted by the Zion United Church of Christ in Medina. Persons interested in participating in the Rural Life Convocation are asked to contact:  Lisa Jacobson, Executive Secretary, NDCC,. PO Box 123, Mandan, ND 58554.  Telephone 701-226-8037  exe_sec.ndcc@yahoo.com.   Registration forms will also be available from many local churches.  A $50 registration fee covers meals, room, and materials.
 
NEWS CONTACT:
Karl Limvere, Chair
Rural Life Committee, NDCC
PO Box 725, Medina, ND 58467
 
701-486-3369  zionucc@daktel.com

Undocumented immigrants not same as criminals, says Vatican official

By Catholic News Service

BRUSSELS, Belgium (CNS) -- Being an undocumented immigrant is not the same thing as being a criminal, a Vatican official told the Global Forum on Migration and Development.

"Independently of their legal status," migrants are human beings with rights that must be respected, said Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers.

The archbishop spoke July 9 at the opening of the global forum, a gathering of nongovernmental and faith-inspired organizations, labor unions and researchers convoked by the Belgian government to come up with concrete proposals for improved international policies on migration and development.

While people have a right to live at peace and with dignity in their home countries, they also have a right to migrate when those needs are not met, Archbishop Marchetto told the forum.

"An irregular migration status, in fact, does not mean criminality," he said.

The international community must find more effective means to promote peace and development throughout the world so that people do not feel forced to leave their homelands and to increase channels for legal migration, he said.

Migration is prompted not only by war or poverty in the developing world, but also by the need of the world's richer countries for laborers, he said.

"Thus, migrants contribute to their host country's well-being," he said.

No matter what migrants' legal status is, he said, "their human dignity must be respected and their freedoms guaranteed: the right to a dignified life; to fair treatment at work; to have access to education, health and other social benefits; to grow in competence and develop humanly; (and) to freely manifest their culture and practice their religion."

At the same time, the archbishop said, migrants have the obligation to respect the laws of their host country and to "strive for proper integration (not assimilation) into the host society and learn its language. They are to foster esteem and respect for their host country, even to the point of loving and defending it."

We've revised the Catholic Health Care Directives pages to reflect two new laws that go into effect August 1, 2007.

South Dakota is scheduled to execute Elijah Page sometime next week. State law prohibits announcing the time of the execution until 48 hours before.
Notably, today, in a sense the eve of the week, is the Feast of Saint Maria Goretti. Goretti was murdered after she refused her attacker's sexual advances. The killer, Alsessandro Serenelli, eventually confessed, repented, and testified for Goretti's beatification cause. He spent the rest of his life at a Capuchin monastery serving the Lord.
Elijah Page, who is only 25, will not have the opportunity for such a conversion and life. Sadly, his execution comes becomes he has waived all appeals. Essentially, the state of South Dakota is assisting Page's suicide.

CATHOLIC BISHOPS URGE AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL TO RESTORE ITS NEUTRAL POSITION ON ABORTION
 
WASHINGTON—The U.S. bishops have joined persons urging Amnesty International to restore its neutral position on abortion and to reverse a recent decision by its executive council to take a pro-abortion stand.
            The bishops’ position was outlined in a July 2 statement from Bishop William S. Skylstad, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He urged Amnesty International to reverse the decision when its International Council meets in Mexico in August.
            “The action of the Executive Council undermines Amnesty’s longstanding moral credibility, diverts its mission, divides its own members (many of whom are Catholic or defend the rights of unborn children), and jeopardizes Amnesty’s support by people in many nations, cultures and religion,” Bishop Skylstad said.
            Bishop Skylstad noted the words of Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, who recently said that “if in fact Amnesty International persists in this course of action, individuals and Catholic organizations must withdraw their support, because, in deciding to promote abortion rights, AI has betrayed its mission.” 
            Amnesty International was founded by a Catholic layman, Peter Benenson, and has been a beacon of hope to thousands of prisoners of conscience and victims of abuse and torture.
            “AI has been a source of inspiration to millions of supporters, including the many Catholics who are members,” Bishop Skylstad said. “Much more urgent work remains, work which we believe will be harmed by this unprecedented and unnecessary involvement in the abortion debate.
            “While the proposed action by Amnesty International may appear to some to support women’s freedom or provide a compassionate response to women in difficult situations of pregnancy, abortion injures the health and dignity of women at the same time that it ends the life of the unborn child,” Bishop Skylstad added. “A far more compassionate response is to provide support and services for pregnant women, advance their educational and economic standing in society, and resist all forms of violence and stigmatization against them.  The Catholic Church provides these services to many women around the world and commits itself to continuing to do so.
            “Based on this commitment to women, the Church does not object to AI’s stand against criminal penalties for women who have undergone abortion.  In fact, the Catholic Church has long held that these women need compassion and healing, not punishment.  However, AI’s policy also exempts abortion practitioners from meaningful penalties and thereby trivializes the harm done by abortion.  AI’s new policy appears to apply to every stage of pregnancy and has already led AI-USA to oppose laws against the killing of partially-delivered children.  Similarly, the policy of advancing access to abortion to preserve women’s ‘health,’ a word left undefined by AI, has not confined the practice to narrow circumstances, but in American law has led to abortion on demand.” 
            The complete statement follows.

A Plea to Amnesty International Members
A Statement of the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Bishop William S. Skylstad, Bishop of Spokane
July 2, 2007

 
It is deeply disappointing that the Executive Council of Amnesty International (AI) recently abandoned Amnesty International’s neutral stance on abortion to take a pro-abortion position.  The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has been among those urging Amnesty to reject this proposed change when its International Council meets in August; however, action by Amnesty’s Executive Council in April 2007 preempted this process.  I call upon the members of Amnesty’s International Council to reverse this decision.

The action of the Executive Council undermines Amnesty’s longstanding moral credibility, diverts its mission, divides its own members (many of whom are Catholic or defend the rights of unborn children), and jeopardizes Amnesty’s support by people in many nations, cultures and religions.  As Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, recently said, “if in fact Amnesty International persists in this course of action, individuals and Catholic organizations must withdraw their support, because, in deciding to promote abortion rights, AI has betrayed its mission.”        

For many years, the Catholic community in the United States and elsewhere has admired and worked with Amnesty International in its efforts to advance the cause of universal human rights.  Founded by a Catholic layman, Peter Benenson, Amnesty International has been a beacon of hope to thousands of prisoners of conscience and victims of abuse and torture.  In this regard AI has been a source of inspiration to millions of supporters, including the many Catholics who are members.  Much more urgent work remains, work which we believe will be harmed by this unprecedented and unnecessary involvement in the abortion debate.

            While the proposed action by Amnesty International may appear to some to support women’s freedom or provide a compassionate response to women in difficult situations of pregnancy, abortion injures the health and dignity of women at the same time that it ends the life of the unborn child.   A far more compassionate response is to provide support and services for pregnant women, advance their educational and economic standing in society, and resist all forms of violence and stigmatization against them.  The Catholic Church provides these services to many women around the world and commits itself to continuing to do so.

            Based on this commitment to women, the Church does not object to AI’s stand against criminal penalties for women who have undergone abortion.  In fact, the Catholic Church has long held that these women need compassion and healing, not punishment.  However, AI’s policy also exempts abortion practitioners from meaningful penalties and thereby trivializes the harm done by abortion.  AI’s new policy appears to apply to every stage of pregnancy and has already led AI-USA to oppose laws against the killing of partially-delivered children.  Similarly, the policy of advancing access to abortion to preserve women’s “health,” a word left undefined by AI, has not confined the practice to narrow circumstances, but in American law has led to abortion on demand. 

            I urge the members of the International Council of Amnesty International, when they meet in Mexico in August, to reconsider and rescind this new policy.  It is never too late to seek justice for all vulnerable and oppressed members of the human family.

Catholic Charities USA Calls for Accountability as Congress Fails to Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform; Urges Continued Efforts To Find Agreement

Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, issued the following statement on the Senate pulling the immigration bill from the floor.
“The Senate’s inability to pass fair and comprehensive immigration reform is a monumental failure for our country.

“Our nation needs its leaders to find compromise solutions to solve our toughest challenges. Today’s action to give up on the bill leaves in place the status quo – a deeply flawed, untenable, and much-criticized immigration system that is desperate need of reform.

“Sadly, just as our nation prepares to celebrate its birthday, the U.S. Senate has turned its back on Lady Liberty and the 12 million immigrants living in fear who yearn to breathe free and achieve the American dream.

“This must not be the end of the efforts by Congress this year to reform our broken immigration system. This requires a humanitarian solution not partisan politics. Catholic Charities USA calls on the Senate to show leadership and try again to find agreement on comprehensive immigration bill. Too much is at stake for our country, for immigrants and their families who are seeking a better life, and for our nation’s security.”
 

This information was received from the Bishops' National Committee for a Human Life Amendment. Concerned North Dakotans should contact Representative Pomeroy to express disappointment with his votes.

Committee Bill Negated Policy
As reported to the House floor, the Fiscal Year 2008 State/Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2764) contained language (Section 622) that would negate the Administration’s Mexico City Policy (MCP). The bill stated: ". . . no contract or grant which includes funding for the provision of contraceptives in developing countries, shall be denied to any nongovernmental organization solely on the basis of the policy contained in the President’s March 28, 2001, Memorandum to the Administrator of United States Agency for International Development. . . ."
In the referenced 2001 memorandum, the President restored the MCP, which provides that U.S. international family planning funds can be given only to nongovernmental organizations that do not perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning. H.R. 2764 would appropriate $441 million for global population assistance. The MCP does not reduce this funding level. It only guarantees that the monies would be used for family planning and not to support organizations that seek to export abortion on request into vulnerable poor countries.
Two Floor Amendments
Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Bart Stupak (D-MI) announced that on the floor they would offer an amendment to strike the pertinent language in Section 622 and uphold the MCP.
However, Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), chairwoman of the committee that produced H.R. 2764, announced that she would modify the language in Section 622. In time, it became clear that the Lowey Amendment would strike "which includes funding for the provision of contraceptives in developing countries" and substitute "for the exclusive purpose of providing donated contraceptives in developing countries." Not funding contraceptives but donating contraceptives. The rest of Section 622 remained the same, including the reference to the President’s MCP.
The Floor Votes
On June 21, during floor debate on H.R. 2764, the House approved the Lowey Amendment modifying Section 622, 223-yes, 201-no, 14-not voting (Roll Call 533). "No" was a pro-life vote. Immediately thereafter, the House rejected the Smith/Stupak Amendment, 205-yes, 218-no, 14-not voting (Roll Call 534). "Yes" was a pro-life vote. The Smith/Stupak Amendment would have struck the language in Section 622 as modified by the Lowey Amendment.
Administration Reaffirmed Veto Pledge
Two days before these votes, a Statement of Administration Policy reaffirmed the President’s intent to uphold current policies and laws on abortion. "Consistent with the President’s letter of May 3, 2007, if the President were presented a bill, such as H.R. 2764, that weakens current Federal policies and laws on abortion, he would veto the bill."
Church Support for MCP
Cardinal Justin Rigali, Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities, sent a letter to House Members, urging support of the Smith/Stupak Amendment. The Cardinal highlighted the origins and purpose of the MCP and, responding to those opposing the MCP and claiming to want to reduce abortion, made four observations: first, abortion does not plan a family but kills a member of the family; second, studies show that promoting contraceptives does not necessarily reduce abortions; third, when made available alongside preventive methods, abortion replaces prevention; and fourth, it is contrary to logic and common sense to say that abortions can be reduced by supporting groups dedicated to promoting abortion. For full text of the letter, see: nchla.org/docdisplay.asp?ID=164.
Responding to the House votes, Deirdre A. McQuade, Director of Planning and Information for the Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, affirmed that "Exporting abortion overseas will not lower abortion rates, is resented by developing countries, and is not supported by the American people." She expressed gratitude to President Bush for his pledge to exercise his veto power to uphold the MCP.
Important Follow-Up
Thanks to all those who responded to the Action Alerts on the MCP. The vote on the Smith/Stupak Amendment demonstrates that by-and-large pro-life advocates in the House stood firm in their support of the MCP and were not swayed or confused by Rep. Lowey’s maneuvers.
Be sure to thank those Representatives who voted against the Lowey Amendment and for the Smith/Stupak Amendment. And express your disappointment to those who voted in any way to negate the MCP. To check how your Representative voted on these two Roll Call votes, see: clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll533.xml (Lowey Amendment, Roll Call 533) and clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll534.xml (Smith/Stupak Amendment, Roll Call 534).
Abstinence Amendment
In another matter of concern to the Church, Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA) offered an amendment to strike from H.R. 2764 language that would eliminate current policy whereby in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) one-third of HIV and AIDS prevention funds are allocated to abstinence-before-marriage programs. Bishop Thomas Wenski, Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on International Policy, and Ken Hackett, President of Catholic Relief Services, had sent a letter to the House urging retention of the current policy. See: nchla.org/datasource/idocuments/PEPFAR%20Funding.pdf. Unfortunately, the House rejected the Pitts Amendment, 200-yes, 226-no, 12-not voting (Roll Call 532). For how Members voted, see: clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll532.xml.

The U.S. Bishops' Justice for Immigrants Campaign is asking for action on several proposed amendments to the Senate immigration bill:
WHAT: Today, the U.S. Senate will resume debate on immigration. Several amendments are likely to be considered to S. 1639.  Our policy staff have reviewed the many amendments that are coming forth and have begun to define which we will ask Senators to support and which to oppose.
During the remainder of this week we will be asking you to take 5 minutes and contact your Senators regarding various amendments.
Join the Justice for Immigrants (JFI) Campaign in our advocacy efforts. TAKE 5 and call your Senators today!
 
ACTION NEEDED: Take 5 minutes to call both your Senators today and tell them about these 4 amendments we support or oppose. Call 202-224-3121 and ask for your Senators' offices now.
Ask both your Senators to:
SUPPORT FAMILY-REUNIFICATION AMENDMENTS
· Amendment # 1199 (Dodd): This would increase the number of visas that are available for parents of U.S. citizens, and would extend the number of days each year that non-immigrant parents could visit families in the United States.
· Amendment # 1317 (Menendez): This would modify the point system to give greater weight to family ties for green-card applicants. Family members could receive up to fifteen points in their application, rather than the ten points that would currently be given to family members in the base bill.
 
SUPPORT A WORKABLE LEGALIZATION PROGRAM
· Amendment # 1236 (Baucus-Tester): This amendment would strike provisions that make the bill’s legalization program dependent upon the systematic implementation of REAL ID documents. Several states have already passed laws rejecting to implement REAL ID; additionally, best estimates are that this program would take many years and billions of dollars to execute. This amendment would set more realistic goals and expectations for when the legalization program could take effect.
 
OPPOSE PROVISIONS ENDANGERING VULNERABLE IMMIGRANTS
· Amendment # 1473 (Coleman): This is a slightly modified version of an amendment that was narrowly defeated in this year’s Senate immigration debate. In spite of these changes, the amendment would still prevent local law enforcement officials from choosing to afford certain protections to vulnerable immigrants who are preyed upon by criminals.
 
BACKGROUND: More information is available at the Justice for Immigrants (JFI) Campaign website.
 

We have posted the column for June. It discusses federal issues.

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to take up the Fiscal Year 2008 State/Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill (number to be announced) on Tuesday, June 19 or Wednesday, June 20. As reported by committee, the bill negates the Mexico City Policy (MCP), an Administration policy that denies federal funding to overseas nongovernmental organizations that perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning. The MCP prevents the use of U.S. tax dollars to support organizations that export abortion around the world, especially into vulnerable poorer countries.
First articulated by the Reagan Administration at a U.N. population conference in Mexico City in 1984, the policy was overturned by the Clinton Administration, then reinstated in 2001 by President Bush. Since 2001, abortion advocates have tried to reverse the MCP by legislation.
The Fiscal Year 2008 State/Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, which designates $441 million for international family planning, stipulates that federal funding for contraceptives in foreign countries shall not be denied "to any nongovernmental organization solely on the basis of the policy contained in the President’s March 28, 2001, Memorandum" to the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The President had restored the MCP on January 22, 2001, then implemented his policy decision through this March 28 memorandum.
During House floor debate, an amendment will be offered to strike the language negating the MCP.
In NCHLA’s list of key abortion votes, the last House vote on the MCP occurred in 2001. Many Members have never cast a floor vote on the issue. Members’ votes on the MCP can be found at: nchla.org/keyvotes.asp?ID=2.
For more information on the Mexico City Policy, see "Issues" on NCHLA’s web page at: nchla.org/issues.asp?ID=2.
ACTION: Please contact your Representative by FAX letter, phone, or e-mail. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, or call your Representative’s local office. For access to Representatives’ full contact information, see: www.house.gov.
MESSAGE: "Please vote to uphold the Mexico City Policy. U.S. tax dollars should not be given to organizations that perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning in foreign countries."
WHEN: The House could take up the Fiscal Year 2008 State/Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill on June 19 or 20. Please act today! Thanks! 6/13/07

KEEPING UP WITH THE FARM BILL
The House Agriculture Committee continues its markup of the Farm Bill and expects to complete this process before the July 4th recess. During this coming week, the House subcommittee on General Commodities and Risk Management will complete their work, followed by full committee markup scheduled for June 26-28. House Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) is guaranteed floor time for the week of July 16th.

The House encourages the public to follow the development of the Farm Bill. The House Ag Committee has created a webpage (http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/2007FarmBill.html) where you can get updates on the Farm Bill process and read markups of subcommittee work.

The Senate version of the Farm Bill is expected to come to full committee during the latter part of July. Senate hearings on the Farm Bill are found at http://agriculture.senate.gov/

The National Catholic Rural Life Conference continues our effort to provide information and perspectives on farm and food policy. Visit http://www.ncrlc.com/FarmBillCampaign.html

------------------------------- FAITH GROUPS VISIT CONGRESS ABOUT FARM BILL
On June 10-12, church groups and members of Bread for the World gathered in Washington, DC to advocate for a Farm Bill that helps reduce hunger, supports family farms and protects the environment. Hundreds of advocates from around the country walked the halls of Congress to let their representatives know that it¹s time for a new farm bill.

For those unable to make it to Washington, you can still be a part of this effort. First, visit www.bread.org and learn more about their efforts to serve the needs of those who hunger. Second, visit the advocacy website of Church World Service ­ "Sow Justice for Family Farmers -- and send letters to your representative and senators: http://capwiz.com/churchworld/issues/alert/?alertid=9872046&type=TA

Finally, stay tuned through NCRLC e-bulletins to further advocacy days in the weeks ahead, including the voice of Catholic groups involved in many aspects of the Farm Bill -- from nutrition and food aid, to commodities and trade, and on through conservation, bioenergy and rural development programs.

Immigration Debate Will Resume in Senate
On June 15, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced that the Senate will resume debate on immigration. This will occur after the Senate completes its energy bill, which is expected prior to the July 4th recess. This news comes after Senate Democrat and Republican leaders announced that they had agreed on a way to revive the comprehensive immigration proposal, the “Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of 2007” (S.1348). The proposal was pulled from the Senate floor last week when supporters received only 45 of the 60 votes needed to end debate and vote on the bill. Earlier in the day, President Bush called for $ 4.4 billion in spending to show that the Administration was committed to “securing this border once and for all.”
While details of the agreement are still unclear, we hear from varying sources that the Senate will consider at least 20 amendments, half from Republicans and half from Democrats. These amendments are likely to include:

• An amendment offered by Senators Mel Martinez (R-FL), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) that would provide $4.4 billion in mandatory spending on border security in interior enforcement.
• A contentious amendment by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) that would require undocumented immigrants to return to their country before applying for legal status.

As previously reported, Catholic Charities USA, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and other members of the Justice for Immigrants (JFI) Campaign continue to work to improve the legalization program, family preferences/immediate relatives categories, and restore confidentiality provisions. Catholic Charities USA will continue to keep you updated on the debate as it moves through the legislative process.
Thank you for responding to the action alert asking the Senate to return to immigration reform. As you can see, your voice can make a difference. In the coming weeks, please look for additional opportunities to join in our advocacy efforts. You can also visit the Justice for Newcomers website for more resources and information on the immigration debate.
For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Director of Immigration and Special Populations Policy, at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
 
 
House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services and Education Marks Up Bill
Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services and Educations marked up its appropriations bill for fiscal year (FY) 2008. As reported last week, the proposed allocations would boost funding in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education programs by more than $10 billion over the President’s request and $6 billion over the amount approved by Congress last year. However, the Coalition on Human Needs reports that accounting for inflation this is only a 2.6 percent increase. More details from the Coalition on Human Needs are provided below.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) received a $500 million increase in contingency funds. The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) received a marginal 2 percent increase after inflation. In education, the Even Start program was not eliminated in contrast to the President’s proposal.
Some programs were level-funded without accounting for inflation. In regards to child welfare, several programs were level-funded. In regards to early childhood development, Head Start did not receive an increase accounting for inflation. In regards to the Workforce Investment Act, funds would drop 2 percent. In regards to the SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, the funding was down 1 percent counting inflation.
The full Appropriations Committee is not expected to take up this Subcommittee bill until after the July 4th recess.
Appropriations Background: Appropriations is the annual process of funding specific programs; the House and Senate Appropriations Committees are responsible for the overall funding process, and their 12 subcommittees are responsible for funding specific programs. The Appropriations Committees distribute the total amount of funding in the budget resolution (passed by Congress that sets the overall ceiling for Congressional spending) among their subcommittees. The subcommittees then hold hearings on funding bills, as well as “mark ups” where Members debate funding, consider amendments, and vote to send the bills to the full Appropriations Committees. The Appropriations Committees then hold their own mark ups before voting to send the bill to the full House or Senate for approval.
House appropriations subcommittees began work on several bills this week. Catholic Charities USA will keep you updated on specific program allotments as the appropriations process continues.
For more information, please contact Christin Driscoll, Senior Director for Policy Development and Advocacy, at cdriscoll@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
 
 
 
Homeless Assistance Legislation Introduced in Senate
Recently, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced legislation to reauthorize the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Programs, the main source of federal funding for homeless assistance. This June marks the 20th anniversary of the McKinney-Vento Act and advocates are hopeful that the reauthorization of the Act will move forward this year.
The legislation, “The Community Partnership to End Homelessness Act of 2007” (S. 1518), is the Senate version of the reauthorization bill introduced earlier this year in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act (H.R. 840).
Like the HEARTH Act, the Senate bill includes several positive provisions for reauthorization. For example, it consolidates the McKinney-Vento homeless assistance programs (excluding Emergency Shelter Grants). For the first time, homeless prevention efforts would also be eligible for funding. It also allows the new 25 percent match requirement for housing and supportive services to be met either in cash or with an in-kind contribution.
However, the Senate bill does not expand the HUD definition of homelessness to include persons living doubled-up with others or living in hotels or motels. This will impact the many homeless families and children who often live in such situations. Also, compared to the HEARTH Act, the Senate bill provides less flexibility for communities to meet their demonstrated local needs rather than priorities set by HUD. It codifies the HUD priority of committing 30 percent of homeless assistance funding to provide permanent housing to chronically homeless populations. This may conflict with demonstrated needs within communities where the homeless population may not include large numbers of chronically homeless persons.
Catholic Charities USA will continue to advocate for a McKinney-Vento reauthorization that provides for a balanced approach to preventing and ending homelessness. Look for upcoming opportunities to take action on ending homelessness in America.
For more information, please contact Candy Hill, Senior Vice President of Social Policy, at chill@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
 
 
 
Catholic Charities USA Kicks Off National Dialogue on the Role of Fatherhood: Poverty Campaign Highlights Family Connections in June
On June 14, Catholic Charities USA kicked off a national dialogue on the role that fathers play in helping children grow up in safe and supportive families. The kick-off event, hosted by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, was a conversation with low-income fathers, services providers, and community leaders to hear the challenges low-income fathers face in connecting with their children. Among those speaking were nearly a dozen fathers participating in Catholic Charities of Chicago programs, including teenagers about to become fathers, fathers who had previously been homeless, and those without employment or in low-income jobs.
These fathers spoke of their hopes and dreams for their children and the impact their fathers or a father figure had in their lives. They spoke about policies that would help dads be better fathers, such as better employment opportunities, livable wages, safe housing, and a fresh start for ex-offenders. The comments from these fathers will be utilized to bolster Catholic Charities USA’s federal advocacy efforts for policies and programs that support fathers and strengthen family connections.
If we truly want to cut poverty in half by 2020, building strong family connections—especially through providing more support for low-income fathers—must be part of the solution. Our nation’s public policies and programs have often left fathers out of the resources that have been made available to families. By supporting low-income men and fathers in a more comprehensive way, we can reduce many of the challenges that cause families to fall apart and children to fall into poverty.
Click here to read a press release on the kick-off event and Catholic Charities USA’s positions on policies that strengthen family connections.

Bishop William S. Skylstad, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has named Emmet M. Kenney, Jr., M.D. to the National Review Board.

Dr. Kenney is an adult, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Prairie St. John’s, a Catholic health care organization offering psychiatric and chemical dependency services in Fargo, North Dakota.  He has worked at Prairie St. John’s since 1996. He is a graduate of Creighton University
School of Medicine. He is an executive council member of the Northern Lights Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the board of directors of the Dorothy Day House, Moorhead, Minnesota; and the Fargo Catholic Schools Network Council.

The National Review Board was established by the USCCB in June, 2002, when the bishops adopted their Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The board’s purpose is to collaborate with the USCCB to prevent sexual abuse of minors by persons in the service of the Church in the United States.

WHAT: North Dakota receives approximately $90,000 a year for abstinence education from the federal Title V program. That funding is set to expire and not be renewed unless Congress acts to save the program.
ACTION NEEDED: Send a message to all of our North Dakota delegation.  Ask them to:

• WHEN: Now.

• Press Release from USCCB on Funding for Abstinence Programs

North Dakota receives approximately $90,000 a year for abstinence education from the federal Title V program. That funding is set to expire and not be renewed unless Congress acts to save the program.

Call Your Representative Today!
 
The House is debating H.R. 1427, the Federal Housing Reform Act of 2007, with a final vote coming as early as Tuesday, May 22.   While the USCCB has no position on H.R. 1427, which establishes new regulations for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, there are two issues the USCCB is following:
 
(1)  HR 1427 includes a provision reserving some $500,000,000 a year as a dedicated source of funding for an affordable housing trust fund.  The Catholic bishops have long supported the creation of a national housing trust fund as one way to meet our nation’s promise of a decent home for every American family.
 
A National Housing Trust Fund would serve as a source of revenue for the production of new housing, and the preservation or rehabilitation of existing housing that is affordable for low income people. 
 
The lack of affordable housing in our nation threatens the well-being of families and the economic life of our communities.  The lack of housing in our communities affects economic development—businesses simply will not locate in communities where their workers cannot live. 
 
 
(2) An amendment has been offered (Mr. Hensarling AMENDMENT NO. 28) that would have the effect of excluding the Catholic Church and other religious organizations from using the housing trust funds to help low-income families gain the housing they desperately need. 
 
A similar amendment was offered to a version of this bill in the last Congress.  On October 3, 2005, Bishop DiMarzio wrote to then Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert urging the rejection of proposals to restrict eligibility for the affordable housing funds, which would have excluded most Catholic agencies.
 
 “Proposals that would limit eligible recipients to organizations that have as their primary purpose the provision of affordable housing would effectively prevent Catholic dioceses, parishes and Catholic Charities agencies from participating in Affordable Housing Fund programs.  Similarly, proposals that would prohibit recipients from engaging in voter registration and lobbying activities with their own funds during the period they are utilizing affordable housing funds would force Catholic agencies to choose between participating in Affordable Housing Fund programs or engaging in constitutionally protected voter registration and lobbying activities with their own funds. 
 
“I urge you to oppose inclusion of these kinds of unnecessary limitations and prohibitions … as [the bill] moves to the House floor for a vote.  There are ample ways to write safeguards into the legislation to prevent the diversion of affordable housing funds to uses other than what they are intended without requiring recipients to forego their constitutionally protected rights as a condition for participating in Affordable Housing Fund programs.” (Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio letter on Affordable Housing Fund, October 3, 2005)

The USCCB urges a vote against these types of Amendments. 

ACTION REQUESTED:

• Call Your Representative(s) and urge them to support the inclusion of the Affordable Housing Fund in H.R. 1427.   
• Ask them to oppose the Hensarling Amendment #28 whose effect would exclude the Catholic Community from using these funds to help house low income families.
• Please use this toll free number, 877-210-5351, for the congressional switchboard and ask to be connected to your Representative’s office.

The Legislative Council has chosen what issues to study before the next legislative session. Included on the list:

- a study of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program;

- study how various public and private entities can cooperate with families to promote health lifestyles for children and create awareness about the interplay of healthy lifestyle choices and educational success

- study the feasibility and desirability of establishing a transition to independence program for young adults with mental illness

- study ways in which schools and school districts can train teachers, counselors, and all other school staff to better identify high-risk students and provide programs designed to reduce the incidences of high-risk behaviors that can lead to suicide attempts

Go here for a complete list of the studies chosen.

The Catholic bishops’ Justice for Immigrants Campaign is urging the nation’s 63 million Catholics to pray and lobby for changes in U.S. immigration law May 20-26.

The campaign, called “A Million Prayers Initiative,” asks Catholics to lobby and pray on behalf of immigrants nationwide, their families, and members of Congress. Information on the campaign can be found at http://www.usccb.org/mrs/jfi/millionprayers.shtml .

“This is a most critical time in the comprehensive immigration reform debate with legislative solutions being proposed by both the President and Congress, said School Sister of Notre Dame Jane Burke,” manager of Justice for Immigrants.

“The U.S. Senate will be considering this legislation during the next two weeks. They need our prayers and need to know that we are calling for a just and equitable immigration reform bill, one that will make a vital difference in the lives of those who will live by its mandates. Our voices are essential to the passage of this crucial legislation. There are many ways to raise our voices but two in particular are called for at this moment – advocacy and prayer.”

The week of prayer precedes Pentecost, the Church feast which celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Catholics are asked to prayer a special Justice Prayer to guide thousands of advocates as they work to influence the passage of a just and humane comprehensive immigration reform bill in the U.S. Congress. This legislation will affect millions of human lives—those working, paying taxes, strengthening communities, and enriching the moral fiber of our country with a brilliant resurgence of cultural diversity.

The campaign also calls on Catholics to call their senators and educate the public on the U. S. bishops’ five immigration principles

• To make family a priority in immigration law
• To insist the worker programs contain protection for U.S. and migrant workers
• To allow for an earned legalization program for the undocumented in the country
• To restore due process protections

• To respond to the economic, political, and social root causes of migration.

 

WHAT: Congress is once again taking up the issue of immigration. New proposals from the U.S. House of Representatives and the White House have recently been introduced, and in the Senate, legislation is likely to be debated THIS WEEK.
ACTION NEEDED: Send a message to BOTH of your Senators starting TODAY!  Ask them to:

• Pass just and comprehensive immigration reform legislation that preserves families; provides a path to lawful permanent residence and citizenship for the 11-12 million undocumented in our nation; and improves the economic prospects, health, labor protections, and stability of all U.S. residents, including newcomers.
• WHERE:
• Senator Kent Conrad

• Washington: (202) 224-2043
• Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
• Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
• Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
• Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
• Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
• senator@conrad.senate.gov
• Senator Byron L. Dorgan
• Washington: (202) 224-2551
• Bismarck: (701) 250-4618
• Toll Free: 1-800-666-4482
• Fargo: (701) 239-5389
• Grand Forks: (701) 746-8972
• Minot: (701) 852-0703
• senator@dorgan.senate.gov

For the last two and one-half years, Kathryn Grafsgaard has served as the conference’s health care advocate and associate director. Kathy now leaves the conference to be closer to her family and to pursue new endeavors. Her work and dedication to the conference's work for the Church has been a blessing. We wish her the best.

The conference has chosen Caitlin McDonald as the new health care advocate and associate director. Caitlin was raised in Bismarck and recently returned from the University of Kansas. She represented the State Association of Nonpublic Schools during the last legislative session.

Let's hope the Legislative Council chooses this one. Story here.

This just in from the National Catholic Rural Life Conference:
Br. David Andrews, CSC, executive director of NCRLC since 1994, has announced his resignation to the President and Board of NCRLC. He will complete his service on May 30th. During his 13 years as executive director, Br. Dave advanced the work and presence of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference to the Church, rural America and global efforts supporting family farmers and rural communities.

In his letter to the Board, Br. Dave said he deeply appreciates his many years serving within NCRLC as Executive Director, which followed ten years as a member of the Board of Directors and its committees. "I've also had the benefit of working with outstanding bishops at many levels, at the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, at the Holy See, and generally in my many travels. I hope you will always convey my gratitude to our bishop leaders. I appreciate the work that has been rendered on behalf of this notable ministry of NCRLC."

Br. Dave expressed his "appreciation of the wonderful staff with whom I've been working for these past years." NCRLC currently has six staff members in the Des Moines office and a seventh member based in Baltimore, Maryland. The Board of NCRLC plans to appoint an interim director and will begin a search for a new executive director after June 1st.

Br. Dave is looking forward to a sabbatical when he formally departs at the end of May. He plans to relocate to the Chicago area and, among other activities, serve more fully as the Coordinator of Peace and Justice for his Congregation of Holy Cross. Br. Dave will also remain involved in various commissions and networks as part of his abiding commitment to sustainable livelihoods in rural and agricultural communities.

As is usual for his work as NCRLC executive director, Br. Dave has a busy travel schedule over the next few weeks. If you would like to express your appreciation for his many years of service, you can write him at ncrlc2@mchsi.com or send a letter to 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310.

April 23 - 29 is Cover the Uninsured Week

In North Dakota, out of a total population of 636,677 people, 12.2% do not have health insurance coverage. 8.6% of North Dakota's children are uninsured -- that is over 12,400 children!

Go here for more information about the uninsured in North Dakota.

Find out about the U.S. Bishops' Involvement in Cover the Uninsured Week.

Find out about the Catholic Health Association's involvement in Cover the Uninsured Week.

Visit the Cover the Uninsured Week web site.

Governor John Hoeven has signed SB 2312, which makes the abortion alternatives program permanent.


Sitting left to right: Senator Aaron Krauter, Governor John Hoeven, Representative Kim Koppelman.
Standing left to right: Stacey Pfliiger, North Dakota Right to Life; Christopher Dodson, North Dakota Catholic Conference; Senator Judy Lee; Representative Jim Kerzman.

The 60th North Dakota Legislative Assembly wrapped up late last night. Among the final bills approved was the Department of Human Services budget. It includes a reimbursement increase for providers of health care services to the poor and disabled and some extra help for hospitals that serve a high percentage of medicaid recipients.

At this point, it looks as though this year's legislative assembly is on course to set a record for the longest session in recent history.

The House and the Senate continue to try work out disagreements on property tax, higher education, and other issues. Getting less attention from the press, but still very important is the Department of Human Services budget (SB 2012.) Senators refused to accept a conference committee report that reduced the total funding in the bill to a level less than even the Governor's request. After more consideration, conferees have improved the bill by providing more funding for programs assisting the developmentally disabled and allowing "continuous eligibility" for medicaid recipients.

The latest agreement now goes to the floors of both chambers for approval.

Samuel J. Aquila, Bishop of Fargo has issued a statement on the passage of House Bill 1466.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that Governor Hoeven will sign the bill.

The North Dakota Catholic Conference is pleased with today's passage of House Bill 1466 by both chambers of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly.  It is a step forward toward a better world -- one that does not turn its back on women in need or the unborn children they carry.

House Bill 1466 would place in North Dakota law a ban on abortion to go into effect when it becomes constitutionally enforceable.  Some have asked why the state should place a law on the books that does not immediately go into effect.  We ask -- How can a state that claims to care for human life justify not having such a law?  Fortunately, a large majority of legislators from both political parties understood the importance of, and wisdom in, House Bill 1466.

We now look forward to working with the legislature, state agencies, and all interested persons in preparation for the day when HB 1466 becomes effective.  We all must continually work for a society in which no woman ever feels that abortion is the answer to an unexpected or crisis pregnancy.  

The House has just passed House Bill 1466 by a vote of 68 to 24. The bill now goes to the Senate, which may vote on it sometime today.

Answers to Claims Being About HB 1466

North Dakota legislators will soon cast their final votes on where the state stands on the protection of unborn life. House Bill 1466 would place in North Dakota law a ban on abortion that would go into effect when it becomes constitutional. Our legislators need to hear from you now!

Message for Legislators: Please vote "Yes" on HB 1466, to put North Dakota on the side of a culture of life.

When: Immediately!

Where: North Dakota Senate and House of Representatives
Legislative Hotline: 1-888-635-3447 Bismarck: 328-3373
Hearing Impaired: 1-800-366-6888

Representatives’ e-mail addresses can be found at the Legislative Assembly Web Site: http://www.legis.nd.gov/

For more information, go to: http://ndcatholic.org

Clicking "E-Mail Helper" will automatically prepare a sample e-mail message for you to send. Try revising it with your own words. Replace "yourlegislator@nd.gov" with your legislator's email address. You can get that from the Legislative Assembly Site or contact the Catholic Conference. Be sure to include your name and address! They want to know that you live in their district. Thank you.

The North Dakota House has rejected a conference committee report that added to the abortion ban provisions about providing health care to pregnant minors without parental consent. The matter now goes back to the conference committee for more work. The committee could finish its work this morning. Come back here for the latest information.

When the committee acts, both the House and the Senate could act quickly on the bill. There are only a few more days left in the legislative session!

From USCCB:

This morning, on a 5-to-4 vote, the Supreme Court upheld the federal ban on partial-birth abortion in Gonzales v. Carhart.  As you know, we have been working toward this result for over a decade.  This is the first time in 34 years the Court has upheld an actual ban on ANY kind of abortion.
 
There are many good and interesting things in the decision, including

• the Court's straightforward recognition of the child in the womb as a "living organism" before as well as after viability
• its forthright statement about the government's legitimate and profound interest in protecting life
• its willingness to defer to legislative fact finding in the abortion context
• its recognition of the pain and turmoil of women undergoing abortion. 

Tell Legislators --
Restore Intent of Abortion Trigger Ban

Last week, a slim majority of the North Dakota Senate hastily amended House Bill 1466 -- the abortion "trigger" ban bill, replacing the entire bill with a requirement that the Legislature call a special session if the Supreme Court changes abortion law. The Senate's version of the bill does nothing to move North Dakota closer to building a culture of life. A conference committee will meet to work out differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.

Tell your legislator to restore the intent of House Bill 1466 -- to place in law reasonable protections for human life that would go into effect when they become constitutional.

Message for Legislators:  Please support efforts to restore the intent of HB 1466 – to place in North Dakota law reasonable protections for unborn human life. As your constituent, I am concerned about attempts to weaken House Bill 1466 that would do nothing to further the culture of life in North Dakota. Thank you.

When: Immediately. The conference committee will start work next week.

Where: North Dakota Senate and House of Representatives
Legislative Hotline: 1-888-635-3447 Bismarck: 328-3373
Hearing Impaired: 1-800-366-6888

Legislators' e-mail addresses can be found at the Legislative Assembly Web Site: http://www.legis.nd.gov/


Clicking "E-Mail Helper" will automatically prepare a sample e-mail message for you to send. Try revising it with your own words. Replace "yourlegislator@nd.gov" with your legislator's email address. You can get that from the Legislative Assembly Site or contact the Catholic Conference. Be sure to include your name and address! They want to know that you live in their district. Thank you. More information.

BISHOPS' OFFICIAL LAMENTS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL PROMOTING DESTRUCTION OF HUMAN LIFE
 
WASHINGTON—An official of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) reacted to this evening’s vote by the U.S. Senate to approve legislation (S. 5) promoting the destruction of human embryos for federally funded stem cell research.  The Senate voted for this bill 63 to 34.  At the same time, S. 30, a bill to promote alternative ways to pursue stem cell research without harming human embryos, was also approved, 70 to 28.
 
Richard M. Doerflinger, Deputy Director of the USCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, said: “With enactment of S. 5, millions of taxpayers would be forced to promote attacks on innocent human life in the name of scientific progress.  Americans have not been required to assist in such direct exploitation of vulnerable human life in the past.  Because the President has promised to veto this bill, and opposition to it in Congress is sufficient to uphold his veto in both House and Senate, we expect that this terrible burden will not be placed on the American people now.”
 
“Many members of Congress remain dazzled by irresponsibly hyped promises of ‘miracle cures’ from the destruction of human embryos, although experts in the field increasingly admit that treatments from this avenue may be decades away,” said Mr. Doerflinger.  “This debate continues to divert attention and resources away from the demonstrated therapeutic promise of morally sound research using adult and cord blood stem cells.  Not only embryonic human beings, but suffering patients and their families, are victims of the Senate’s fixation on destructive research.”

 
# # # # #

The Forum has a good story discussing the challenges North Dakota legislators face concerning how to balance incarceration and rehabilitation and treatment. For a Catholic perspective, check out Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: a Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice.

The conference committee working on Senate Bill 2012, the Department of Human Services budget begins work today. The committee will probably work many days to resolve the differences between the House and Senate versions of this important bill.

The Bismarck Tribune published Christopher Dodson's letter, but it did not include the web site address supporting the statement that most Americans oppose most abortions. The Second Look Project contains lists some of the data. Here is some from that site and others:

In a recent Harris Interactive poll 72% of Americans said abortion should be illegal in the second three months of pregnancy, and 86% said abortion should be illegal in the last three months of pregnancy.

61% of Americans said abortion should not be permitted after the fetal heartbeat has begun. This occurs in the first month. (Zogby, 2004)

An overwhelming majority of Americans (86%) favor parental consent for minors seeking abortion (Gallup, 2005)

A similar percent (89%) favor informed consent for women seeking abortions (Gallup, 2005)

About 90% of Americans are opposed to performing abortions in the third trimester (Gallup, 2005)

More than two in three Americans (70%) favor a ban on partial-birth abortions (Gallup, 2003)

51% of women say abortion should be available only in cases of rape, incest, or if the life of the mother is endangered (Center for the Advancement of Women, 2003)

72% of 13-17 year olds believe abortion is morally wrong.
(Gallup, 2003)

60% of 18-29 year olds believe abortion should never be legal.
(Zogby, 2004)

The Senate took up the HB 1466 late Thursday (called the "trigger" bill because it would go into effect when it becomes constitutional). Although the Senate adopted a set of amendments to improve the bill, a few minutes later a slim majority passed another set of amendments that rewrote the entire bill. The House will now have to review those changes.

The final version adopted by the Senate removed all restrictions on abortion and replaced the bill's language with a single paragraph. That paragraph requires the Attorney General to notify the Legislative Council whenever the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a decision that would allow the state to have more restrictive abortion legislation than it has currently. At that time, the Legislative Council must call a special session.

The Senate version of the bill clearly goes against the intent of the bill. The irony is that the Senate changed HB 1466 from a "trigger" bill to a "multi-trigger" bill. It could provide pro-life forces with multiple opportunities to have legislative sessions devoted solely to pro-life legislation.

In fact, right now North Dakota could have more restrictive abortion legislation. If this version of the law were to go into effect on August 1(the day most North Dakota laws take effect), the Attorney General could notify Legislative Council on August 2 and we could have a special session to examine those possible restrictions. If the Supreme Court issues a new decision next year, we could have another special session. And so on . . .

This is probably not what either side of the issue wants out of HB 1466, but if that what comes from it, the North Dakota Catholic Conference and those who care about building a culture of life will be ready.

The Bismarck Tribune recently published a column by Clay Jenkinson about House Bill 1466. Mr. Jenkinson's column contains several errors in facts and logic. The Tribune's letter policy hinders our ability to respond to them all. Here is the letter we submitted in response to the column:

Dear Editor:

Mr. Jenkinson makes several mistakes in his column about the proposed abortion legislation.  For one thing, he repeats myths about public opinion on abortion.  Most Americans actually oppose abortion and would favor more restrictions on the act.  In fact, a majority of Americans think that most abortions should be illegal and more women than men hold this view.  (www.secondlookproject.org)

Jenkinson also errs in his assessment of HB 1466's "trigger."  Conditional effective dates are not unusual in North Dakota legislation and they do not tie the hands of future legislatures.  

The column's most significant flaw, however, is its failure to address the morality of abortion.  Jenkinson wrote that he did not want to address the morality of abortion, but only the wisdom of the proposed legislation.  By failing, however, to address the morality of abortion, he creates a "straw man" out of the proposed legislation, the unreasonableness of which is a foregone conclusion.

Any discussion of abortion should begin with a look at what is abortion and the morality of the act.  If, as Jenkinson has done, a person evades the underlying issue and treats abortion as nothing more than a mere vice, it is easy to characterize the actions of pro-life advocates and legislation like House Bill 1466 as unreasonable moral posturing.  

However, if a person concludes that the scientific evidence and the use of reason demonstrate that abortion is the deliberate destruction of developing human life, the actions of pro-life legislators and proposals like House Bill 1466 are reasonable and progressive.  Most Americans have reached that conclusion and the proposed legislation is a reasonable step toward a better future.

Christopher Dodson
Executive Director
General Counsel
North Dakota Catholic Conference

The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee held a field hearing in Fargo on the new Farm Bill. U.S. and state representatives from both political parties were in attendance. Find out more here.

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour has signed an abortion ban trigger bill similar to North Dakota's House Bill 1466. Like HB 1466, the new Mississippi law would trigger when the state's attorney general concludes that it is reasonably probably that the law would be constitutional.

The Senate has still not acted on HB 1466. If you have not done so, there is still time to contact your senator.

Here's an update on some bills we are still following:

HB 1466 - the abortion trigger ban, is still on the Senate floor calendar, where it has been for a week. Expect the Senate to vote on it next week.

SB 2012 - the Department of Human Services budget. The two chambers will probably appoint a conference committee to meet next week. The Senate members and House members have different priorities with regards to this budget. Working out those differences could take some time. Some of the issues: a payment increase for providers of care to nursing home residents and developmentally disabled persons, continuous eligibility for Medicaid recipients, increased Medicaid support for hospitals, and child advocacy centers.

HB 1463 - expansion of children's health insurance. A conference committee needs to be appointed, which will probably wait until the continuous eligibility issue in SB 2012 is resolved.

HB 1015 - Department of Corrections budget. The Senate restored requested funding to convert temporary positions to two full-time chaplains. The Big Question - whether to build a new prison, remodel an existing prison, or neither - is far from settled. It could be one of the last issues settled this session.

SB 2103 - Coverage of forensic exam costs for victims of sexual assault. This bill passed the House but only after it was amended. It now returns to the Senate.

HB 1472 - Presence of sexual offenders on school property. The Senate amended this bill to address, among other things, suggestions made by the Catholic Conference and the State Association of Nonpublic Schools as to how it applies to church/school property. It now goes back to the House.

Like North Dakota, the Minnesota legislature enacted an alternatives to abortion program in 2005. The 2007 North Dakota legislature has reauthorized its program. The Minnesota legislature, however, is considering cutting funding for its program by over 50%.

If you have friends and relatives across the river in Minnesota, please pass on this action alert from the Minnesota Catholic Conference.

The 2005 Legislative Assembly created an Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives in the Governor's office. The office had no funding and the responsibilities were given to the Governor's Chief of Staff.

This session, it looks like the legislature will move the office to the Department of Commerce and give it some funding. The changes appear in the appropriation bills for the Governor and the Deparment of Commerce.

The Senate has still not voted on House Bill 1466. The Action Alert is still in effect. This gives you time to contact your senator, if you have not already done so. The Senate is not likely to vote on the bill until Wednesday afternoon.

The North Dakota Catholic Conference web site was down for a couple of days due to a problem with company that handles our server. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The North Dakota Catholic Conference seeks an associate for public policy advocacy on health care, and assist in other administrative areas. Familiarity with Catholic health care ministry, health care ethics, and public policy preferred. Send resume by March 30, 2007 to: Executive Director, North Dakota Catholic Conference, 103 South Third Street, Suite 10, Bismarck, ND 58501. More information.

There are no hearings scheduled for next week. The legislators will be focusing on bringing bills to the floor and on conference committees to work out differences between House and Senate versions of bills.

This is a difficult time for the general public and even experienced lobbyists to stay on top of what is happening at the legislature. We will try to post up-to-date information on the website.

There was hope this session that the legislature could expand the number of children eligible for Healthy Steps, the state's children's health insurance program. House Bill 1463, along with a "continuous eligibility" provision in Senate Bill 2012 (the Department of Human Services budget) were supposed to accomplish this goal.

However, the proposal has hit a snag due to a federal regulation and the House Appropriations Committee has removed the continuous eligibility provision in SB 2012.

It's not over yet, though. The proposal could still be salvaged. Doing so should be a top priority.

The leaders of three national Catholic organizations have called on Congress to strengthen and expand a federal health program that provides health insurance coverage for children.

In a letter to the House and Senate Budget Committees, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), and Catholic Charities USA urged Congress to adequately fund the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) so that all children eligible for the program get health care.

In a related action, the three national Catholic organizations, along with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Conference of Major Superiors of Men; Ladies of Charity United States of America; the Leadership Conference of Women Religious; and the Catholic schools of social work are mobilizing Catholics across the country to contact their U.S. representatives and senators on March 21 to support increased funding for children's health insurance coverage through reauthorization of SCHIP.

See the full story.

The House Appropriations Committee has reduced funding for a long list of items in House Bill 2012, the Department of Human Services Budget. It may take a few days to fully ascertain the impact of the many amendments adopted to the bill, assuming they are included in the bill's final version. Since the Senate version of the bill differs, the bill will end-up in a conference committee for final changes.

Lawmaking, especially when it comes to appropriating state funds, is about prioritizing. The ultimate test of the state's budget is how it effects the least among us. The programs of the Department of Human Services serve those people, particularly those who, for no fault of their own, face unique challenges and disadvantages. We hope and pray that the final budget reflects our obligations to our neighbors most in need.

The North Dakota Senate amended and passed House Bill 1319, which concerns when person can properly use of deadly force. The North Dakota Catholic Conference, along with representatives from law enforcement, state's attorneys, and the Attorney General's office, opposed the bill in the form it came over from the House. (Read the conference's testimony.)

The Senate's amendments eliminate most of all the concerns. The new bill is mostly a restatement of the existing law. The bill now goes to the House, which must decide whether to concur with the changes.

Tell Senate
Vote Yes on HB 1466 –
Vote Yes to Life

House Bill 1466 would put a ban on abortion in North Dakota law. The ban would be “triggered” by Supreme Court or other action that would make the ban constitutional. The bill would firmly place North Dakota in support of human life.

Message for Senator: Please vote "Yes" on HB 1466, the abortion “trigger” ban.

When: Immediately. The Senate could vote on the bill early next week.

Where: North Dakota Senate
Legislative Hotline: 1-888-635-3447 Bismarck: 328-3373
Hearing Impaired: 1-800-366-6888

Senator’s e-mail addresses can be found at the Legislative Assembly Web Site: http://www.legis.nd.gov/

Download the Bulletin Insert!

Clicking "E-Mail Helper" will automatically prepare a sample e-mail message for you to send. Try revising it with your own words. Replace "yourlegislator@nd.gov" with your legislator's email address. You can get that from the Legislative Assembly Site or contact the Catholic Conference. Be sure to include your name and address! They want to know that you live in their district. Thank you. More information.

More than 9 million children in our country are uninsured.  Millions of these children are eligible for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) or Medicaid but are not enrolled.  During SCHIP reauthorization this year, we have a significant opportunity to ask Congress to improve and expand the program— so that all children in need have the health care they deserve. 

Catholic Charities USA, the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, the Catholic Health Association and other Catholic organizations will be hosting in a national advocacy call-in day on Wednesday, March 21st.  You can participate by calling your members of Congress at the toll-free number below.

Action Needed:  Call your Senators and Representatives toll-free at 1-877-509-KIDS.  When you call, tell your member of Congress:

• Please make meeting the needs of poor and vulnerable people at home and abroad a top budget priority.
• Today, SCHIP provides high quality, vital health coverage to more than 4 million children in great need.  The program reaches children whose families would otherwise be unable to afford health insurance. 
• Congress must provide adequate funding so the millions of children currently enrolled in SCHIP can continue to get heath care.
• Congress must expand health care access to the millions of children still uninsured, who are eligible for SCHIP or Medicaid but not enrolled. To do this, states will need approximately $60 billion in new federal funds over the next five years.

Background:  The Catholic community has consistently worked for access to affordable health care for all.   The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, Catholic Charities USA and the Catholic Health Association have written to the House and Senate Budget Committees asking them to include funding in the FY 2008 budget resolution to maintain and expand health insurance coverage for children.

03/19/07 8:30 AM SB 2012 -- DHS Appropriation. Roughrider Room

03/19/07 9:00 AM SB 2103 -- Forensic exam costs for sexual assault victims. House Conference Room

03/19/07 10:00 AM HCR3004 -- Study child custody, visitation, and child support in this state. Red River Room

03/19/07 10:00 AM SCR4019 -- A concurrent resolution urging Congress to reauthorize the state children's health insurance program. Fort Union Room

03/19/07 10:00 AM SCR4028 -- study the feasibility and desirability of establishing a paternity registry. Fort Union Room

03/19/07 10:00 AM SCR4029 -- study the feasibility and desirability of transferring the facilities and property of the State Hospital from the Department of Human Services to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Fort Union Room

03/19/07 11:30 AM SB 2187 -- funding to emergency shelter programs and for providing funding for planning administrative costs associated with the housing and urban development's continuum of care homeless assistance program. House Conference Room

03/19/07 3:00 PM HB 1404 -- creating a legislative council medical assistance committee. Harvest Room

03/19/07 4:00 PM SB 2070 -- Aging and disability resource center Roughrider Room

03/20/07 8:00 AM SB 2302 -- grants to domestic violence sexual assault organizations. Roughrider Room

03/20/07 9:00 AM SCR4008 -- study issues affecting the delivery of child welfare services in the state. Fort Union Room

03/20/07 9:00 AM SCR4018 -- expressing support for long-term care choices, including home and community-based services, for North Dakotans with disabilities and older adults. Fort Union Room

03/20/07 9:00 AM SCR4025 -- study funding a program to provide services to youth in foster care who are preparing to transition to adulthood and for youth between 18 and 21 years of age who have left foster care and need assistance. Fort Union Room

03/20/07 10:30 AM HCR3041 -- study the trends and correlations of property tax revenue in relation to funding human service delivery in individual counties. Red River Room

03/21/07 7:00 AM SB 2012 -- DHS Appropriation Roughrider Room

03/21/07 9:30 AM HCR3046 -- study ways in which various public and private entities can cooperate to promote healthy lifestyles for children. Red River Room

03/22/07 10:00 AM SCR4022 -- urging Congress and the President to continue to pursue peace in Iraq and Afghanistan. Fort Union Room

The Senate Natural Resource Committee heard testimony today on House Bill 1319, which would expand when the use of deadly force can be considered proper. The North Dakota Catholic Conference joined with representatives from law enforcement, state's attorneys, and the Attorney General, as well as concerned citizens, to oppose the bill in its current form.

An excerpt from the conference's testimony:

When and how much force an individual can use against another is ultimately a moral issue. Each lawmaker must evaluate House Bill 1319 according to whether it moves us closer to or further from fundamental moral principles found in Sacred Scripture and knowable by reason that have served as a foundation of civil society for thousands of years.

Go here for the full testimony. Go here or here for a related column appearing in the diocesan newspapers.

SB 2212 Health Care Directives

HB 1463 Medical Assistance and S-CHIP

HB 1466 Prohibition on Abortion

The state House of Representatives today passed Senate Bill 2312, the abortion alternatives services bill, by a vote of 87 to 6. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.

Thank you to everyone who contacted their legislators in support of this important program.

The North Dakota Catholic Conference testified today in support of HB 1466, which would ban abortion at a time when the law could be enforceable. The conference also testified in support of amendments offered by the bill's sponsor, Representative Jim Kerzman. Here is the testimony presented.

The Senate Judiciary will now consider the bill.

If your senator is on the committee, please contact him or her and ask the senator to support a "Do Pass" recommendation from the committee.

Senate Judiciary Committee

Dave Nething (District 12)
Stan Lyson (District 1)
Tom Fiebiger (District 45)
Richard Marcellais (District 9)
Carolyn Nelson (District 21)
Curtis Olafson (District 10)

Clicking on the senator's name will automatically prepare a sample e-mail message for you to send. Try personalize it with your own words. Be sure to include your name! Clicking on the district name will open a map of that legislative district.

Please contact your Representatives and ask them to vote "Yes" on Senate Bill 2312.

Senate Bill 2312 would reauthorize a successful program that helps those agencies and organizations that provide alternative-to-abortion services, such as pregnancy resource centers, adoption agencies, and maternity homes. Helping women is an essential part of building a culture of life where no woman ever feels that abortion is a “best” or only option.

A vote for Senate Bill 2312 is a vote for hope. Go here for more information on SB 2312.

"E-Mail Helper" will automatically prepare a sample e-mail message for you to send. Try revising it with your own words. Replace "yourlegislator@nd.gov" with your legislator's email address. You can get that from the Legislative Assembly Site or contact the Catholic Conference. Be sure to include your name! Thank you. More information.

03/12/07 8:00 AM SB 2256 - Relating to sex offenders on school property. Prairie Room

03/12/07 8:30 AM SB 2012 - Department of Human Services Appropriation. Roughrider Room

03/12/07 8:30 AM SB 2309 - Relating to high school coursework requirements. Pioneer Room

03/12/07 10:30 AM HB 1136 - Immunizations and waiver of immunization requirements. Red River Room

03/12/07 11:00 AM HB 1435 - Child immunizations. Red River Room

03/12/07 2:45 PM SB 2012 - Department of Human Services Appropriation. Roughrider Room

03/13/07 9:00 AM SB 2181 - Consent by minors for prenatal care. Fort Union Room

03/13/07 9:00 AM HB 1472 - Presence near schools of certain sexual offenders. Fort Lincoln Room

03/13/07 10:30 AM HB 1466 - prohibition of the performance of abortions. Fort Lincoln Room

03/14/07 9:00 AM HCR3012 - study the determination of the cost of elementary and secondary education. Missouri River Room

03/14/07 9:00 AM SCR4032 - study ways in which schools and school districts can better identify high-risk students and provide programs designed to reduce the incidences of high-risk behaviors that can lead to suicide attempts. Pioneer Room

03/14/07 9:00 AM SB 2212 - Relating to health care directives. Fort Union Room

03/14/07 9:00 AM SB 2308 - Health care directives and capacity. Fort Union Room

03/15/07 8:30 AM SB 2278 - County and township zoning regulation of concentrated animal feeding operations and a repository for zoning regulations. Peace Garden Room

03/15/07 8:30 AM HB 1463 - Relating to eligibility under the state children's health insurance program -- Appropriation hearing. Harvest Room

03/15/07 9:30 AM HB 1420 - Relating to zoning by counties and townships. Roosevelt Park Room

03/15/07 9:45 AM HB 1471 - Relating to state department of health programs to educate about the human papilloma virus; and to provide an appropriation. Harvest Room

03/15/07 2:30 PM HCR3061 - study the financial and environmental impact of confined animal feeding operations on individual property owners and local communities and develop clear, concise, and consistent laws governing the siting and regulation of confined animal feeding operations. Roosevelt Park Room

03/15/07 3:15 PM SB 2121 - Department of Labor name change to Department of Labor and Human Rights. Fort Union Room

3/16/07 9:00 AM HB 1319 - Use of and liability for deadly force. Fort Lincoln Room

Please contact members of the Human Resources Division of the House Appropriations Committee and ask them to increase support for the Adults Adopting Special Kids program. Specifically, ask them to include the "adoption pay points" request in the SB 2012, the Department of Human Services budget. Go here to find out more.

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The Senate Appropriations Committee is working on House Bill 1015, which funds the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Governor sought funding for two full-time chaplains for the system, but the House cut the funding from the bill ($64,000.)

Please contact the committee members and ask them to restore the requested chaplaincy funding. Constitutionally and morally, inmates do not lose their religious liberties after they enter prison. Chaplains ensure that inmates are able, to the extent possible, to exercise their religious liberties and are, therefore, an essential part of corrections system.

"E-Mail Helper" will automatically prepare a sample e-mail message for you to send. Try revising it with your own words. Be sure to include your name! Thank you. More information.

Clicking on will generate an sample e-mail to send to your legislator. In some cases, the addresses will already be filled in!

Also: Check out the Action Alerts page for a list of current action alerts.

The Senate Human Services Committee has given HB 1463 a "do pass" recommendation. The bill would expand both medicaid and the state children's health insurance program to so that some currently uninsured children would receive health coverage. The bill now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Leanne Johnson of Catholic Charities of North Dakota serves as the Adoption Director of the for AASK (Adults Adopting Special Kids).  The AASK program is a collaborative effort between Catholic Charities North Dakota and PATH ND, Inc.  This program contracts with the ND Department of Human Services to provide adoption services for children in the foster care system, many of whom have special needs.  The program provides a wide range of adoption services, including recruitment services, adoption home assessments, adoption placement and post-placement services, as well as post-adoption support services.

Currently, the AASK Program is involved with 160 additional children in various stages of permanency planning, known as concurrent planning.  In addition, the program is actively working to place 85 waiting children for adoption, 15 of whom do not have an identified adoptive family. There are roughly 26 children in adoptive placement awaiting the legal finalization of their adoption.  This reflects a total number of 271 children receiving AASK services.  Furthermore, the program is actively working with 97 families, providing adoption preparation, assessment or placement supervision services.  The program is aware of 84 additional families throughout the state who are awaiting services.  These families have attended the required pre-service training and are awaiting an adoptive home assessment.  It is estimated that at least half of these families are ready to move to the next step of the process, but program staffing limitations are hindering more active involvement.  The program has utilized the services of a contract provider to help meet this need; however, this has not been a solution to the greater problem.  Children and families are still waiting. 

On Wednesday, March 1, Leanne Johnson testified before the House Resources Division of the House Appropriations Committee asking that the committee included the needed additional funding in the Department of Human Services Appropriation Bill (SB 2012.) 

Please contact the members of the committee and ask them to include the  “Adoption Pay Points" optional request in SB 2012.

The House Education Committee heard convincing testimony on the importance of school nurses in today's schools. Senate Bill 2385 would appropriate funds for grants schools and school districts to for the use of school nurses. The bill would allow nonpublic schools to apply for the grants. A school nurse from Fargo Catholic Schools was among those testifying in favor of the bill.

Senator Kent Conrad is holding a series of meetings around the state to get input for the new Farm Bill. Let the Senator know how you feel.

March 12
• 9:00 am Lisbon --Eagles 6410 Highway 32, Lisbon, ND
• 3:00 pm Napoleon -- Downtowner Steakhouse 310 Main, Napoleon, ND

March 13
• 10:00 am Mohall -- American Legion Hall 807 Highway 5 E, Mohall, ND
• 4:00 pm Parshall -- Legion Hall Main Street, Parshall, ND

March 14
• 9:00 am Dickinson -- Gate City Bank Community Room, 204 Sims, Dickinson, ND
• 4:00 pm (3:00 pm MST) Flasher -- 21 Club 110 6th Avenue West, Flasher, ND

March 15
• 9:00 am New Rockford -- Dakota Roadhouse 381 1st St S, New Rockford, ND
• 3:00 pm Drake -- KC Hall Cedar Street, Drake, ND

March 16
• 9:00 am Park River -- Legion Hall 820 5th Street, Park River, ND
• 3:00 pm Portland -- KT Hall 719 Bennett Avenue, Portland, ND

The Senate Appropriations Committee will begin work next week on House Bill 1015, which funds the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The DOCR sought funding for two full-time chaplains, but the House cut the funding from the bill.

The North Dakota Catholic Conference hopes that the Senate will restore the funding ($64,000.) Constitutionally and morally, inmates do not lose their religious liberties after they enter prison. Chaplains ensure that inmates are able, to the extent possible, to exercise their religious liberties and are, therefore, an essential part of corrections system.

The Human Resource Division of the House Appropriations Committee continues to hear testimony on the Department of Human Services Appropriation Budget (Senate Bill 2012.) On Wednesday the committee took public testimony on the bill. (Most other testimony is presented by Department representatives.)

The state's budget, particularly the Department of Human Service appropriation, is moral statement about the state's priorities and its commitment to assisting those most in need. The Department funds many worthwhile programs. A few programs of particular interest to the North Dakota Catholic Conference which are in need of additional funding are:

- reimbursement for most Medicaid providers at an additional 5% per year;

- Medicaid reimbursement for hospitals up to the Medicare reimbursement level;

- additional funding for the Adults Adopting Special Kids program;

- adequate funding for Medicaid and S-CHIP to cover more children who are presently uninsured.

Please contact the committee members and ask them to support these needed additions to Senate Bill 2012.

03/05/07 8:30 AM - SB 2012 Department of Human Services Appropriations. Roughrider Room

03/05/07 9:00 AM - HB 1015 Department of Corrections Appropriations. Harvest Room

03/05/07 9:00 AM - SB 2313 grants to school districts for automated external defibrillators. Fort Union Room

03/05/07 9:30 AM - SB 2302 grants to domestic violence sexual assault organizations. Fort Union Room

03/05/07 10:30 AM - HB 1463 Relating to eligibility under the state children's health insurance program. Red River Room

03/05/07 10:45 AM - SB 2252 Relating to health insurance coverage of suicide-related medical services. Fort Union Room

03/05/07 11:15 AM - HB 1471 Relating to state department of health programs to educate about the human papilloma virus. Red River Room

03/05/07 2:00 PM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation. Roughrider Room

03/06/07 8:30 AM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation. Roughrider Room

03/06/07 8:30 AM - SB 2103 Forensic exam costs for victims of sexual assault. Prairie Room

03/06/07 9:45 AM - HB 1404 legislative council medical assistance committee. Red River Room

03/06/07 10:00 AM - SB 2303 creation of a health information technology steering committee. Fort Union Room

03/06/07 10:30 AM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation. Roughrider Room

03/06/07 10:30 AM - HB 1452 limitations on the civil liability of a charitable organization. Fort Lincoln Room

03/06/07 2:30 PM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation. Roughrider Room

03/07/07 8:00 AM - SB 2256 Relating to sex offenders on school property. Prairie Room

03/07/07 8:30 AM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation. Roughrider Room

03/07/07 10:30 AM - SB 2163 Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. Fort Union Room

03/07/07 11:00 AM - HC R3056 study the search for and identification of missing persons. Fort Lincoln Room

03/07/07 2:00 PM SB 2243 community service supervision grants. Roughrider Room

03/07/07 2:30 PM HCR3008 study the issues of fairness, equity, and the best interests of children as they relate to issues of child custody and visitation. Fort Lincoln Room

03/08/07 8:30 AM - SB 2014 Protection and Advocacy Appropriation. Roughrider Room

3/09/07 9:00 AM - HB 1474 county or city property tax levy for support of services of nonprofit organizations eligible for grants from the domestic violence and sexual assault prevention fund. Red River Room

3/09/07 9:30 AM - HB 1390 Relating to liability insurance coverage for damage caused by foster children. Harvest Room

Yesterday, the House Human Services Committee gave a "do pass" recommendation to Senate Bill 2312, which would reauthorize the alternatives-to-abortion services program. The bill now goes to the House Appropriations Committee.

You can now listen to Bishop Samuel Aquila's homily given at the Mass for Legislators. Use this player:


Or download this mp3 file to save it to your hard drive.

The Catholic Bishops of Texas have just issued two statements that would be of interest to many North Dakotans.

The controversy over the HPV vaccine has gained national attention as some state legislatures consider making the vaccination mandatory. Texas has been the center of the controversy and the state's bishops have issued a useful statement on the HPV vaccine matter. The North Dakota legislature is not considering any vaccination program. House Bill 1471, however, would appropriate funds to the Department of Health for education about the vaccine.

At the same time, the Texas bishops released a statement on the construction of new coal-fired energy plants. The statement gives principles for guidance drawn from Catholic social teaching. Since North Dakota is also an energy producing state looking at expanding coal-based energy, the statement should be of interest to North Dakotans.

The Montana Senate has voted to abolish the death penalty in that state. North Dakota legislators saw the wisdom of not seeking to enact the death penalty here. Let us pray that Montana's legislators take this important step toward building a culture of life.

The Bismarck Tribune has posted an AP story on Montana's actions.

See also the Catholic Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty.

02/26 /07 11:15 AM - SCR4032 study ways in which schools and school districts can better identify high-risk students and provide programs designed to reduce the incidences of high-risk behaviors that can lead to suicide attempts -- Red River Room

02/26/07 8:00 AM - SB 2074 Housing discrimination investigation -- Prairie Room

02/26/07 8:00 AM - SB 2075 Definition of discrimination -- Prairie Room

02/26/07 8:00 AM - SB 2076 Department of Labor investigations -- Prairie Room

02/26/07 9:30 AM - SB 2041 premarital counseling and marriage license fee -- Fort Union Room

02/26/07 9:30 AM HB 1023 indigent defense program-- Harvest Room

02/26/07 9:45 AM - SB 2078 family Care income tax credit -- Fort Totten Room

02/26/07 10:30 AM - SB 2312 alternatives-to-abortion services program -- Fort Union Room

02/26/07 11:00 AM - SB 2070 Aging and disability resource center -- Fort Union Room

02/26/07 11:15 AM - SB 2134 Medicaid Prescription Drug Monitoring Program -- Roughrider Room

02/26/07 2:30 PM - SCR4024 study universal health care for North Dakotans -- Roosevelt Park Room

02/26/07 3:00 PM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation -- Roughrider Room

02/27/07 8:30 AM - SB 2138 Relating to sexual offense medical testing; relating to an individual's living arrangements -- Prairie Room

02/27/07 8:30 AM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation -- Roughrider Room

02/27/07 9:00 AM - SB 2187 emergency shelter programs -- Fort Union Room

02/27/07 9:00 AM - SB 2326 Relating to medical assistance and other health coverage for families of children with disabilities -- Fort Union Room

02/27/07 9:30 AM HB 1155 Relating to the comprehensive health association of North Dakota -- Red River Room

02/27/07 9:30 AM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation -- Roughrider Room

02/27/07 10:00 AM - HB 1232 provide for umbilical cord blood donation -- Red River Room

02/27/07 10:15 AM - HB 1172 Relating to a requirement for North Dakota studies --Missouri River Room

02/27/07 10:15 AM - HB 1172 Relating to a requirement for North Dakota studies --Missouri River Room

02/27/07 10:30 AM - SB 2186 early childhood care workforce development and department of human services establishment of a quality improvement rating system for early childhood care facilities -- Fort Union Room

02/27/07 11:00 AM - SB 2354 instruction in physical education --Pioneer Room

02/27/07 2:45 PM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation -- Roughrider Room

02/27/07 3:00 PM - SB 2359 Relating to maternity homes -- Fort Union Room

02/28/07 8:30 AM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation Public Testimony -- Roughrider Room

02/28/07 9:00 AM - SB 2371 home education by grandparents --Pioneer Room

02/28/07 9:00 AM - SB 2215 income tax credit for dependent care expenses --Fort Totten Room

02/28/07 10:30 AM HB 1390 Relating to liability insurance coverage for damage caused by foster children -- Red River Room

02/28/07 10:30 AM - SB 2363 Relating to an individual or corporate income tax credit for planned gifts to nonprofit organizations and contributions to qualified endowments -- Fort Totten Room

02/28/07 11:00 AM - SB 2385 school district nursing services grant program --Pioneer Room

02/28/07 2:00 PM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation Public Testimony -- Roughrider Room

02/28/07 2:00 PM - SB 2276 prevention and advisory council -- Fort Union Room

03/01/07 8:30 AM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation -- Roughrider Room

03/01/07 2:45 PM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation -- Roughrider Room

3/02/07 8:30 AM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation -- Roughrider Room

3/02/07 9:30 AM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation -- Roughrider Room

Patrick Atkinson, founder of the God's Child Project, recently gave a presentation at the University of Mary on human trafficking and slavery. Fighting human trafficking is becoming a top priority for church leaders around the world. This Bismarck Tribune story discusses Atkinson's talk.

United States Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales has announced a new Department of Justice initiative to protect religious liberty: The First Freedom Project.

The project's web site contains useful information about our religious liberties.

Bishop Paul Zipfel has written a letter to North Dakota legislators and Catholics on the Church's teachings on the moral dimensions of public life. The letter originally appeared in the January issue of the Dakota Catholic Action. The letter is now available on our website.

The Senate and the House have acted upon all the bills introduced in their respective chambers and will take a break until February 21.

The break is a good time to contact your legislators while they are back in their districts.

The North Dakota Legislative Assembly is on its "crossover" break. It will reconvene on Wednesday, February 21.

02/21/07 9:00 AM SB 2012 DHS Appropriation. Roughrider Room

02/21/07 9:00 AM SCR4008 study issues affecting the delivery of child welfare services. Red River Room

02/21/07 10:30 AM SB 2130 Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities for Children. Fort Union Room

02/21/07 2:00 PM SB 2012 DHS Appropriation. Roughrider Room

02/22/07 8:30 AM SB 2012 DHS Appropriation. Roughrider Room

02/22/07 10:30 AM SCR4022 urging Congress and the President to pursue peace in Iraq and disengage American combat forces from Iraq duty. Red River Room

02/22/07 2:00 PM SB 2012 DHS Appropriation. Roughrider Room

02/23/07 8:30 AM SB 2012 DHS Appropriation. Roughrider Room

Bishop Samuel Aquila gave the homily at the Mass for Legislators and Public Officials on January 18. He has now released an edited version of the homily as a column for the diocesan newspaper. The column is also on our web site.

For more information, see the post below.

Press Release from the Diocese of Fargo - February 14

In his diocesan newspaper column posted today on the Diocese of Fargo Web site, Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fargo, reminds Catholic politicians of their responsibility to ensure that their actions reflect their Catholic faith.

“Every act of violence that attacks an innocent human person from the moment of conception to natural death is against the will of God and rejects the inherent dignity of the human person,” the bishop wrote. “Every Catholic politician must recognize and act upon this truth to be a faithful Catholic.”

The column is an edited version of the homily Bishop Aquila presented at the Jan. 18 Legislative Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck. It will appear in New Earth, the newspaper for the Diocese of Fargo, which will be printed Feb. 15.

“We cannot leave God at the door when we walk into the legislature,” the bishop reminds Catholic politicians, “but rather we must allow the truth of God and the truth of the dignity of the human person to guide us in every decision we make. With each law or bill we consider, we must be, first, a people who recognize that there is the inherent dignity of human life that is bestowed by God and that can never be violated.”

He continues, “Once we begin to be the ones who determine what is good or what is evil, once we begin to be the ones who determine which human person has dignity and which one doesn’t, we will see…what happens to a society.” Bishop Aquila refers to the movie “Blood Diamond,” saying, “In that society the lust for power, the lust for money, the lust for control overtakes and guides the human heart, with the result that violence and murder govern the society.”

In addition to the unborn, the column addresses the dignity of illegal aliens and those sentenced to the death penalty. The bishop questions how people who believe in God can express hatred for illegal aliens or “cheer when a capital punishment sentence is given.” He notes what offenses against life are most grave. “As faithful Catholics, we acknowledge that the gravest attacks against the dignity of human life are those that destroy innocent human life, as in abortion, euthanasia and genocide.”

The Forum reports that, according to Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman, more than 100,100 people with Medicare benefits in North Dakota have signed up for prescription drug coverage. That leaves about 4,000 people in the state who are eligible for Part D who have not signed up. Poolman believes most of those are low income and will receive prescription coverage for free through the Low Income Subsidy. They may request coverage at any time.

Anyone with questions about Part D or people who think they may qualify for the Low Income Subsidy should contact the Insurance Department’s Senior Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) program at (888) 575-6611 for assistance.

We don't often think of homelessness as a problem in North Dakota. The homeless, however, are among us. This Bismarck Tribune editorial reminds of us the problem.

The Senate has approved two bills that would make changes to the state's laws on health care directives. SB 2308 would allow a person to have a health care agent make decisions without lacking capacity. SB 2212 removes extra paperwork that must be done when a person completes a health care directive in a hospital or nursing home.

Go here for more information on health care directives.

Friday, February 16 is "crossover" day. The Senate must act on all Senate bills and the House must act on all House bills by this date. Most of the work next week will be done in the appropriation committees. Those committees must finalize and send out all bills with an appropriation so that the full chambers can vote on them by Friday.

Here are some bills that still need final action before crossover:

SB 2400 -- State policy on childbirth and abortion. The Senate Human Services committee is looking over some proposed amendments. The North Dakota Catholic Conference supports the bill's intent and is waiting to see what comes out of the committee.

HB 1463 -- Expands health care coverage for low income children. To express your support, contact the members of the Human Resources Division of the House Appropriations Committee.

SB 2012 -- The Department of Human Services Appropriations bill. The Senate Appropriations Committee will finish work on this bill this week.

HB 1420 SB 2331 -- The bills addressing the ability of local government bodies to regulate animal feedlot operations. For how the principle of subsidiarity impacts this discussion, go here.

SB 2371 -- Allows grandparents to provide home education, clarifies and revises some language concerning home education. The bill received a Do Pass recommendation from the committee and is headed to the Senate floor.

House Bill 1478 would have given a tax credit for contributions and tuition payments to both public and nonpublic schools. The bill was amended to allow the credit only for contributions. Nevertheless, the bill failed on the House floor. By encouraging contributions that could have been used for scholarships, this bill could have helped low income families have a real choice in education for their children.

House Bill 1319 would revise the state's law on how much force an individual can use in defense of self or others. To proponents, it is a "stand your ground" bill because it would, among other things, remove the requirement that a person must try to avoid using deadly force, if possible. This is sometimes known as the "duty to retreat." Note: North Dakota has already removed the duty to retreat with regards to a person's home. HB 1319 would remove the duty in other situations.

To opponents, it is a "shoot first" bill, since, in addition to removing the duty to retreat, it would create a presumption in certain cases that the person using the deadly force was in reasonably fear of imminent death or bodily injury.

How much force a private individual -- not the government -- can use to defend himself or herself is something moral theologians have pondered for centuries. Thomas Aquinas' treatment of the issue is probably the most definitive. Warning: Aquinas can be difficult to understand for the novice. Aquinas in a nutshell: (1) A private individual cannot intend to kill a person in self-defense. (2) A private individual cannot use more force than necessary to repel the aggressor. (3) The use of force is only justified if it is necessary for self-defense. If protection of the self or others can be achieved without the use of force, the use of force is not justified.

The Judiciary Committee gave House Bill 1319 a Do Not Pass recommendation by a 7 to 6 vote. The full House will vote on the bill next week.

Legislators introduced four bills to increase the state's minimum wage. The House has rejected one and passed another. Two others are still pending in the Senate.

The Associated Press has a summary of the bills and their status here.

Senate Bill 2121, which would change the name of the Department of Labor to the Department of Labor and Human Rights, passed the Senate yesterday 29 to 18.

The case of Ashley, a child who was administered hormones to attenuate her growth, as well as a hysterectomy and removal of her breast buds, has received international attention. An earlier column posted on this web site mentioned the case. The National Catholic Partnership on Disability has now issued an interesting statement on the case.

The Senate Industry, Business, and Labor Committee is considering two bills to increase the minimum wage, SB 2370 and SB 2122. The North Dakota Catholic Conference has not endorsed a particular bill, but an increase in the minimum wage is supported by the nation's bishops. Go here to see the latest information from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on efforts to increase the federal minimum wage.

The Senate Education Committee is reviewing SB 2371. The bill would allow grandparents and certain foster care providers to provide home education. The bill would also clarify that parents are supervisors, but not necessarily always the direct educators of home educated children. The North Dakota Catholic Conference testified in support of the bill's clarification provisions.

The Senate Human Services held a hearing on SB 2400 this morning. The bill as introduced would recognize unborn children as individual persons under the law. The North Dakota Catholic Conference testified in support of the bill. The committee is likely to amend the bill to address some concerns about unintended consequences, but probably retain the bill's intent. Stay tuned . . .

For some, it is the most anticipated -- or dreaded -- day of a North Dakota legislative session: the day the revenue forecast is released. Unlike other legislative sessions, this year's forecast will come out before the crossover date. This could make it easier for the two chambers to better deal with the appropriation bills still in their committees before they have to send them over to the other chamber.

The forecast will be released on Tuesday, February 6 at 8:00 a.m.

While it looks at Medicaid reimbursement rates, the legislature will also look at helping children without any health insurance coverage. An estimated 12,000 children in the state lack basic health coverage, mostly because their parents cannot afford it, but earn too much to qualify for Medicaid or the state's children's health insurance program. Legislators introduced five bills to expand coverage for children. A combination of political will to do something about the problem and the state's healthy budget increases the likelihood that the state will expand health insurance coverage for these needy children.

For decades, Medicaid has been the primary method of providing health care to the poor in this country. Although not perfect, the program, by-and-large, works. To keep working, however, the program must ensure the availability of health care and adequately reimburse their services. Unfortunately, North Dakota is failing in that regard.

A study commissioned by the North Dakota Legislature concluded that the state’s reimbursement rate is both inadequate and much lower than surrounding states. Hopefully, the North Dakota legislature will give hospitals and other health care providers the boost in reimbursements needed to sustain the state's commitment to the poor and needy.

The editorial board of the Bismarck Tribune apparently agrees.

At the request of Representative Merle Boucher, North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, has issued an opinion about North Dakota's home education law. The Attorney General concluded that North Dakota law does not permit a home educating parent to supervise the education of that parent's child by another individual.

The opinion will likely impact deliberations on Senate Bill 2371. That bill would allow, in addition to parents, grandparents and foster care providers to provide home education. The bill also changes some language in the existing law to indicate that the person providing home education can act in a supervisory role. The Senate Education Committee will hear the bill on Tuesday, February 6 at 10:15 a.m., in the Missouri River Room.

02/26 /07 11:15 AM SCR4032 study ways in which schools and school districts can better identify high-risk students and provide programs designed to reduce the incidences of high-risk behaviors that can lead to suicide attempts -- -- Red River Room

02/26/07 8:00 AM - SB 2074 -- Housing discrimination investigation -- -- Prairie Room

02/26/07 8:00 AM - SB 2075 -- Definition of discrimination -- -- Prairie Room

02/26/07 8:00 AM - SB 2076 Department of Labor investigations -- Prairie Room

02/26/07 9:30 AM - SB 2041 marriage license fee discount for premarital counseling -- Fort Union Room

02/26/07 9:30 AM HB 1023 Indigent Defense Appropriation --Harvest Room

02/26/07 9:45 AM - SB 2078 Family Care income tax credit -- Fort Totten Room

02/26/07 10:30 AM - SB 2312 alternatives-to-abortion services program -- Fort Union Room

02/26/07 11:15 AM - SB 2134 Medicaid Prescription Drug Monitoring Program -- Roughrider Room

02/26/07 2:30 PM - SCR4024 study universal health care for North Dakotans -- Roosevelt Park Room

02/26/07 3:00 PM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation -- Roughrider Room

02/27/07 8:30 AM - SB 2138 Relating to sexual offense medical testing; relating to an individual's living arrangements -- Prairie Room

02/27/07 8:30 AM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation -- Roughrider Room

02/27/07 9:00 AM - SB 2187 emergency shelter programs -- Fort Union Room

02/27/07 9:00 AM - SB 2326 medical assistance and other health coverage for families of children with disabilities -- Fort Union Room

02/27/07 9:30 AM HB 1155 Relating to the comprehensive health association of North Dakota -- Red River Room

02/27/07 9:30 AM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation -- Roughrider Room

02/27/07 10:00 AM - HB 1232 provide for umbilical cord blood donation -- Red River Room

02/27/07 10:15 AM - HB 1172 Relating to a requirement for North Dakota studies --Missouri River Room

02/27/07 10:30 AM - SB 2186 early childhood care workforce development and department of human services establishment of a quality improvement rating system for early childhood care facilities -- Fort Union Room

02/27/07 11:00 AM - SB 2354 instruction in physical education --Pioneer Room

02/27/07 2:45 PM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation -- Roughrider Room

02/27/07 3:00 PM - SB 2359 Relating to maternity homes -- Fort Union Room

02/28/07 8:30 AM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation Public Testimony -- Roughrider Room

02/28/07 9:00 AM - SB 2371 home education by grandparents -- Pioneer Room

02/28/07 9:00 AM - SB 2215 income tax credit for dependent care expenses -- Fort Totten Room

02/28/07 10:30 AM HB 1390 liability insurance coverage for damage caused by foster children -- Red River Room

02/28/07 10:30 AM - SB 2363 individual or corporate income tax credit for planned gifts to nonprofit organizations and contributions to qualified endowments held by nonprofit organizations -- Fort Totten Room

02/28/07 11:00 AM - SB 2385 school district nursing services grant program --Pioneer Room

02/28/07 2:00 PM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation Public Testimony -- Roughrider Room

02/28/07 2:00 PM - SB 2276 prevention and advisory council -- Fort Union Room

03/01/07 8:30 AM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation -- Roughrider Room

03/01/07 2:45 PM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation -- Roughrider Room

3/02/07 8:30 AM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation -- Roughrider Room

3/02/07 9:30 AM - SB 2012 DHS Appropriation -- Roughrider Room

Senate Bill 2312, which reauthorizes the state's alternatives-to-abortion services program, passed the Senate today 43 to 1. The bill now moves to the House.

The Fargo Forum reports on why more parents in the Fargo/Moorhead area are choosing nonpublic schools for the children's education.

The North Dakota Senate passed a bill to provide a discount in the cost of a marriage license fee for those couples who have received premarital counseling. The bill came out of a interim legislative committee that studied the state's laws on marriage. The bill, SB 2041, 32 to 14. It now goes to the House.

We just discovered a story in the Florida Catholic that mentions North Dakota's high percentage of Catholic voters in the last election.

So you want to know how your legislator voted on a particular bill? We have posted a step-by-step guide on how to find out how your legislator voted on a bill of interest to you.

We have started putting on-line testimonies given by the North Dakota Catholic Conference. Keep in mind that not all of the testimony provided by the conference comes in written form.

The House Finance and Tax Committee is still considering HB 1478, a bill to provide tax credits for contributions and tuition payments to both public and nonpublic schools. This next week, the Senate Finance and Tax Committee will consider a bill to provide tax credits for home educators. The bill is SB 2414 and will be heard Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. in the Lewis and Clark Room.

Several bills introduced this session limit the powers of local governments. The issues being addressed include land-use zoning, smoking ordinances, sales taxes, and health regulations. How much power should a local government have? Or, to put it another way, how much local control should the state take away? The Catholic Church's teaching on subsidiarity can offer guidance, if not necessarily answers, to these questions. According to the principle of subsidiarity, a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, but rather should support it in case of need and help to co-ordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always with a view to the common good. (Catechism, No. 1883.)

The North Dakota House of Representatives voted on four abortion-related bills on Friday afternoon.

HB 1466 - Abortion Prohibition Bill

HB 1466 would prohibit abortions in North Dakota, except to save the life of the mother.  The law would not go immediately into effect. It would only become effective when the attorney general of North Dakota certifies that as a result of new decisions by the Supreme Court of the United States, it is reasonably probable that this law would be upheld as constitutional.  

The North Dakota Catholic Conference supported this bill and it passed 61-26.

HB 1464 - Pro-Life Law Enhancement Bill

This bill would have made moderate changes to the state's existing laws on abortion. Most of the bill's provisions already exist and the new language would have clarified and emphasized certain existing policies. Some legislators mistakenly thought the bill would have outlawed the use of abortion drugs and prevented abortions in a multifetal pregnancy. Neither claim was true.

The bill failed, 39-49.

HB 1489 - Immediate Abortion Ban

The North Dakota Catholic Conference testified in support of HB 1489, with the understanding that the bill was not intended to penalize the woman.  The committee did not amend the bill to clarify questions regarding a penalty for the woman.  The conference supported the intent of the bill although final support for the bill was contingent upon clarification that the law would not penalize the woman. The bill failed, 20-69.

HB 1494 - Limitation on Funding for Prenatal Genetic Testing 

This bill would have prohibited state funding and group insurance coverage for prenatal genetic testing unless it is a precursor to treatment for the woman or unborn child.  Concerns about the scope of the prohibition and insurance issues were raised in committee.  The North Dakota Catholic Conference supported amending the bill to (1) remove any language about insurance coverage and (2) limit the prohibition to tests where the sole purpose is to determine the existence of a condition or disease that is not treatable.  The committee, however, did not have a chance to consider these amendments and the bill failed 14-74.

01/29/07 8:30 AM - HB 1471 programs to educate about the human papilloma virus- Fort Union Room

01/29/07 9:00 AM - SB 2184 school calendars and compulsory attendance - Harvest Room

01/29/07 9:15 AM - SB 2313 grants to school districts for automated external defibrillators - Missouri River Room

01/29/07 10:00 AM - SB 2414 tax credit for taxpayers who provide home education for their children - Lewis and Clark Room

01/29/07 10:30 AM - SB 2385 school district nursing services grant program - Red River Room

01/29/07 11:00 AM - HB 1292 education of English language learners; per student payments for English language learners - Pioneer Room

01/29/07 11:00 AM - SB 2309 high school coursework requirements; high school graduation requirements and student proficiency - Missouri River Room

01/29/07 2:30 PM - HB 1194 exemptions from high school instruction programs; basic, standard, and advanced programs of high school instruction; goals 2000 and school-to-work programs - Pioneer Room

01/29/07 2:30 PM - HB 1435 child immunizations - Fort Union Room

01/30/07 8:30 AM - HB 1319 use of and liability for deadly force; the use of deadly force - Prairie Room

01/30/07 9:00 AM - SB 2308 health care directive and capacity - Fort Lincoln Room

01/30/07 9:45 AM - SB 2041 marriage license fee - Appropriation Hearing - Harvest Room

01/30/07 10:15 AM - SB 2403 exemptions to the moratoriums on the expansion of basic care bed capacity and long-term care bed capacity - Red River Room

01/31/07 9:45 AM - SB 2393 student loan reduction for certain residents - Missouri River Room

02/01/07 8:30 AM - SB 2312 alternatives-to-abortion services program - Appropriation Hearing - Harvest Room

02/02/07 8:00 AM - HB 1510 expansion of the uniform group insurance program - Fort Union Room

02/02/07 9:00 AM - SB 2211 appropriation to the department of human services for assistive technology services - Harvest Room

02/02/07 9:00 AM - HB 1474 a county or city property tax levy for support of services of nonprofit organizations eligible for grants from the domestic violence and sexual assault prevention fund - Prairie Room

We have just learned that the House will not vote on House Bill 1464, the Pro-Life Law Enhancement Bill, until Monday afternoon.  This gives parishes a chance to set out or distribute Action Alerts this weekend.

Here is an Action Alert that you can print and distribute this weekend.

House Bill 1466 may still come to a vote as early as tomorrow.

HB 1464 - Pro-Life Law Enhancement Bill

House Bill 1464 makes improvements to the state's laws on:

- Parental Consent for Minors Seeking Abortions

- A Woman's Right to Know/Informed Consent Requirement

- The Right Not to be Forced to Perform or Participate in an Abortion

Contact your Representatives today and ask them to Vote Yes on HB 1464.

Message:    Please vote "Yes" on HB 1464, to affirm and strengthen our state's laws protecting unborn life, women, and families.

When:    Immediately. The House could vote on HB 1464 as early as Thursday, January 25!

Where:   North Dakota House of Representatives
Legislative Hotline 1-888-635-3447  --- Bismarck 328-3373
Hearing Impaired: 1-800-366-6888

E-mail addresses can be found at the Legislative Council Site

HB 1466 - Abortion Ban

HB 1466 would prohibit the performance of abortions in North Dakota, except to save the life of the mother.  The law would not go immediately into effect, but only become effective when the attorney general of North Dakota certifies that as a result of new decisions by the Supreme Court of the United States, it is reasonably probable that this Act would be upheld as constitutional.

Contact your Representatives today and ask them to Vote Yes on HB 1466.

Message:    Please vote "Yes" on HB 1466.

When:    Immediately. The House could vote on HB 1466 as early as Thursday, January 25!

Where:   North Dakota House of Representatives
Legislative Hotline 1-888-635-3447  --- Bismarck 328-3373
Hearing Impaired: 1-800-366-6888

E-mail addresses can be found at the Legislative Council Site

On Monday, January 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the House Judiciary Committee heard four abortion related bills. Both HB 1466 and HB 1489 would prohibit abortion in North Dakota. The committee is certain to consider several amendments to both bills. Stay tuned for more information.

House Bill 1494 would prohibit funding for prenatal genetic testing, when the sole purpose of the test is to determine the existence of a condition or disease that is not treatable. The committee is also likely to consider amendments to this bill.

House Bill 1464 would update and clean up some provisions of the state's laws on abortion. The committee has not acted on this bill.

The Senate is considering adopting the new Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (SB 2163). The bill does not change definitions for determining death or interfere with a person's wishes. Rather, it provides an improved system for organ and tissue donation.

The Catholic Church supports organ and tissue donation. Nevertheless, many Catholics do not donate their organs and tissue because they think doing so is against Church teaching. Perhaps it would help to know that Pope Benedict XVI is a registered organ donor.

In 1999, then Cardinal Ratzinger, gave this interview with ZENIT explaining why he is a registered donor and why doing so is an "act of love."

On Tuesday, January 23, the House Industry, Business, and Labor Committee will hear HB 1337, one of three bills introduced on the state minimum wage.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate plans to begin debate next week on raising the federal minimum wage. To help, check out this action alert from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Go here to learn more about what Catholic social teaching has to say about a minumum wage.

SB 2312 would reauthorize the successful and important alternatives to abortion services program. This program gives financial assistance to crisis pregnancy centers, adoption agencies, and maternity homes that provide pro-life alternatives to abortion.

The Senate Human Services Committee will hear the bill on Tuesday, January 23, in the Red River Room.

HB 1478 would provide a tax credit for contributions to schools, including nonpublic schools. The contribution could be a donation or a tuition payment. The House Education Committee will hold a hearing on the bill at 11:00 am, Monday, January 22 in the Pioneer Room. (Correction: the hearing was held in the House Finance and Tax Committee.) Supporters of nonpublic schools are encouraged to attend.

SB 2121 would do one thing -- and only one thing. It would change the name of the Department of Labor to the Department of Labor and Human Rights. It does not create new "rights," grant new enforcement authority to the state, or change the process for filing allegations of violations of human rights.

Why then, is a name change important? For one thing, the majority of the work now done by the Department of Labor concerns human rights enforcement. A name that reflects the department's actual work makes sense and gives the public an immediately recognizable place to ask about possible human rights violations.

More importantly, an accurate name says something about the state's commitment to protecting basic human rights. The Catholic Church sees the recognition of these rights and their defense as an essential way of recognizing the human dignity inscribed by God on all human persons. See, e.g. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, paragraphs 152 - 159. Refusal to make a simple name change dismisses, rather than affirms, these basic human rights.

Contact the Senate Industry, Business, and Labor Committee and ask them to give a "Do Pass" recommendation on Senate Bill 2121.

The committee members are:

Chairman Jerry Klein, jklein@nd.gov

Vice Chairman Nicholas Hacker, nhacker@nd.gov

Senator John Andrist, jandrist@nd.gov

Senator Terry Wanzek, tmwanzek@nd.gov

Senator Joel Heitkamp, jheitkamp@nd.gov

Senator Tracy Potter, tpotter@nd.gov

Senator Arthur Behm, abehm@nd.gov

North Dakota law prohibits state funding for abortion and abortion counseling. Similarly, group health insurance policies cannot cover abortion unless the insured purchases coverage as a separate rider.

The prohibitions, however, do not extend to funds used to pay for prenatal genetic testing that has no other purpose but to counsel for abortion. HB 1494 would fix that by extending the prohibitions to prenatal genetic testing that is not a precursor to treatment for the woman or unborn child. The most known example would be testing for Down's Syndrome. There presently is nothing that can be done to address Down's Syndrome in the womb, so the only medical purpose in testing for it would be as a precursor to deciding whether or not to abort the unborn child.

HB 1494 would not prohibit such testing. It only would ensure that North Dakota citizens are not compelled to fund such tests with their tax or insurance premium dollars.

HB 1494 will be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on the morning of January 22.

For a mother's perspective on the call for more prenatal testing for Down's Syndrome, check out this recent column from WashingtonPostOnline.

House Bill 1464, also scheduled for a hearing on January 22, revises the state's existing laws on abortion to address new abortion practices, reflect current constitutional law, provide clarifications, incorporate some pro-life "best practices," and emphasize state policy favoring childbirth.

Whether or not an abortion ban passes or is upheld, HB 1464 is needed to ensure that North Dakota has the best laws possible to protect women, parental rights, and unborn human life.

The House Judiciary Committee will hear four bills related to abortion on January 22, which happens to be the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.

Both HB 1466 and HB 1489 would prohibit abortion in North Dakota, though the bills are written differently. The most significant difference between them is that HB 1466 would not go into effect until the state Attorney General certifies that as a result of decisions by the Supreme Court, the act would probably be upheld as constitutional.

Unlike bills introduced in previous legislative sessions, these bills do not punish the woman. As such the North Dakota Catholic Conference supports the intent of both bills and is willing to work with legislators to fashion the best bill possible.

The House has amended HB 1074 to address concerns expressed by the North Dakota Catholic Conference. The bill would require "special event organizers" to report to the Tax Department information on vendors that sell items at the event. Church organizations often have a events where a small number of vendors, such as booksellers, might be present.

The amendments would make the reporting requirement apply only to events that have ten or more vendors and not at all to events where all the proceeds go to a nonprofit.

01/22/07 8:00 AM - HB 1466 the prohibition of the performance of abortions - Prairie Room

01/22/07 8:30 AM* - HB 1489 protection of a preborn child - Prairie Room

01/22/07 9:00 AM* - HB 1494 Restrict funding for prenatal genetic testing used for abortion counseling - Prairie Room

01/22/07 10:00 AM* - HB 1464 Revisions to Abortion Restrictions - Prairie Room

*Note: The Judiciary Committee takes will hear a bill as soon as the previous hearing is finished. The times listed are estimates.

01/22/07 9:00 AM - HB 1438 the commencement of the elementary and secondary school year - Pioneer Room

01/22/07 9:00 AM - SB 2304 coordinators of English language learner services - Missouri River Room

01/22/07 9:00 AM - HB 1040 disorderly conduct at funeral - Fort Lincoln Room

01/22/07 10:00 AM - HB 1512 postgraduate residency training programs to provide primary health care to the uninsured and underinsured - Fort Union Room

01/22/07 10:15 AM - SB 2243 an appropriation to the department of corrections and rehabilitation to provide funding for community service supervision grants - Harvest Room

01/22/07 10:15 AM - SB 2252 health insurance coverage of suicide-related medical services - Red River Room

01/22/07 10:30 AM - HB 1436 income tax credit for employers for child care programs - Fort Totten Room

01/22/07 11:00 AM HB 1478 income tax credit for contributions to school districts of nonpublic elementary and secondary schools in this state Fort Totten Room

01/22/07 11:00 AM - SB 2326 Medical assistance and other health coverage for families of children with disabilities - Red River Room

01/22/07 2:00 PM - HB 1463 eligibility under the state children's health insurance program - Fort Union Room

01/23/07 8:00 AM - HB 1226 for limitations on for-profit activities of nonprofit organizations - Peace Garden Room

01/23/07 8:00 AM - HB 1337 the state minimum wage - Peace Garden Room

01/23/07 8:30 AM - HB 1390 liability insurance coverage for damage caused by foster children - Fort Union Room

01/23/07 8:30 AM - HB 1452 limitations on the civil liability of a charitable organization - Prairie Room

01/23/07 9:00 AM - SB 2276 prevention and advisory council - Red River Room

01/23/07 9:30 AM - HB 1467 for nursing facility assessments - Fort Union Room

01/23/07 9:30 AM - SB 2302 grants to domestic violence sexual assault organizations - Red River Room

01/23/07 10:00 AM - SB 2312 Alternatives-to-abortion services program - Red River Room

01/23/07 10:30 AM - SB 2303 Health information steering committee - Red River Room

01/24/07 8:00 AM - HB 1454 Minimum wage/collective bargaining - Peace Garden Room

01/24/07 9:00 AM - HB 1150 reduction of the marriage penalty under the individual income tax - Fort Totten Room

01/24/07 9:00 AM - SB 2207 assistance to parents in resolution of disputes in cases involving custody and support of children - Red River Room

01/24/07 9:00 AM - SB 2256 sex offenders on school property - Fort Lincoln Room

01/24/07 10:00 AM - HB 1482 health care for chronically or terminally ill offenders - Fort Union Room

01/24/07 10:15 AM - SB 2211 an appropriation to the department of human services for assistive technology services - Red River Room

01/24/07 10:45 AM - SB 2279 special education payments - Missouri River Room

01/24/07 11:00 AM - SB 2212 health care directives - Red River Room

01/25/07 9:00 AM - HB 1420 zoning by counties and townships - Peace Garden Room

01/25/07 9:30 AM - HB 1421 the humane treatment of animals - Peace Garden Room

Yesterday's Bismarck Tribune contained a letter questioning a statement by Christopher Dodson, executive director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference, reported in this story from December. Below is Mr. Dodson's response:

Dear Editor:

From Virginia Dolajak’s letter regarding my statements on emergency contraception at Catholic hospitals, it appears that my comments and the teachings of the Catholic Church need some explanation.

When I stated that Catholic hospitals could provide emergency contraception once it has been determined that ovulation has not occurred, it was in the context of discussing the Catholic Conference’s opposition to any legislation forcing Catholic hospitals to dispense emergency contraception. The conference opposes such mandates because, as Virginia Dolajek rightly states, such treatment can act as an abortifacient.

What I tried to convey with the statement was that, although Catholic facilities will not provide an abortifacient drug, they can provide victims of sexual assault with what is commonly called “emergency contraception” if it has been determined that the treatment will not act as an abortifacient.

The guiding instruction to Catholic facilities on this issue is set forth in the “Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services,” which was approved by the Vatican and is binding on all Catholic health care facilities in the country. It states: