By: Jay R. Jordan
Houston Chronicle
A new billboard campaign in Montgomery County is bringing attention to the pro-life movement.
The Montgomery County Right to Life organization launched the campaign about two weeks ago in hopes of sparking conversation among those who see it about their views on the “sanctity of life,” organizers said. The billboard, located on Texas 105 West near Old Highway 105 in Conroe, depicts a young girl from the area who has Down syndrome, a young couple with an ultrasound photo and an elderly woman under the words “Every life … Priceless.”
With Montgomery County being a hub of conservatisms, there might not be too many people whose values differ from the pro-lifers. But MCRTL Director Teresa Strack said the billboard aims to create a dialogue for not only those in the county, but others as well.
“Our community is staunchly pro-life,” Strack said. “Our community members have friends outside our community; and the more they’re thinking about why they believe life should be valuable, they’re better equipped to have those conversations with other people who maybe aren’t necessarily quite as convinced.”
U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, helped spearhead the funding of the billboard campaign, Strack said. While Brady could not be reached for comment Monday while in Washington, D.C., he said in a statement he fully supports the campaign.
“Montgomery County Right to Life’s billboard campaign makes a powerful pro-life message with great beauty and dignity,” Brady stated. “All children are gifts from God and should be celebrated.”
Other local elected officials threw their support behind the campaign, including:
State Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville
State Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia
State Rep. Mark Keough, R-The Woodlands
State Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe
County Judge Craig Doyal
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mike Meador
Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley
County Attorney J D Lambright
County Treasurer Stephanne Davenport
County Court-at-Law No. 2 Judge Claudia Laird
Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack
Precinct 3 Constable Ryan Gable
Precinct 4 Constable Rowdy Hayden
Sheriff Rand Henderson
The Knights of Columbus in Willis and New Waverly also helped fund the campaign.
State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, pitched in, too, and is helping push the local organization’s cause in Austin. Creighton filed the Senate’s version of the wrongful-birth bill, which seeks to prohibit parents from suing doctors who fail to or refuse to advise them that abortion is available – even if the fetus or unborn child could have birth defects.
Creighton conceded not many cases arise from that situation, but he said it is important to address the issue.
“We have to work on issues that we have the foresight to know we should prevent,” Creighton said. “Even though this situation doesn’t happen very much, our office is always working to avoid one terrible situation for Texas families before we can use anyone as an example just waiting to happen.”
Creighton’s Senate Bill 25, filed Nov. 21, 2016, was read on the Senate floor for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on State Affairs – of which Creighton is a member – Jan. 24. It has yet to be addressed by that committee.
For more information about Montgomery County Right to Life, visit www.mcrtlife.com.
Read more here: http://www.chron.com/news/article/New-pro-life-campaign-in-Montgomery-County-sparks-10912978.php