Maryland State Senator Andy Harris won the 1st District Primary on Tuesday in a four-way race against liberal Republican Wayne Gilchrest who has represented the district for the past 16 years. Mr. Harris, who was endorsed by the Republican National Coalition for Life PAC, defeated Gilchrest, who reportedly votes with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi more than any other House Republican, despite support from former MD Lt. Governor Michael Steele and Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Andy Harris offered a clear contrast between his own solid pro-life record and that of Rep. Gilchrest who earned a 100 per cent rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America.

It's about time that credible pro-life candidates challenge Republican incumbents whose records are anti-life. It takes courage to go against the Party apparatus, which, in and of itself is a sign that Andy Harris is not a typical go-along-to-get-along politician.

We expect Mr. Harris to win the General Election in November and look forward to his pro-life leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Texas Lt. Governor Calls for Adult Stem Cell Hearing

Texas Alliance for Life reports that Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst has directed the powerful Senate Health and Human Services Committee to assess the current state of adult stem cell research in Texas and the potential for more cures and economic benefits. Dewhurst issued a list of charges to his committees that included the following;

• Monitor the collection and availability of cord blood stem cells for treatments and research in Texas.

• Review the current state of basic and clinical research using these and other types of adult stem cells.

• Assess the potential for clinical and economic benefits from current and increased stem cell research.

Mr. Dewhurst joins House Speaker Tom Craddick who issued a similar charge in November to the House Appropriations Committee. No dates have been released for either committee to conduct its hearings.

If you or anyone you know has been treated using adult stem cells and would be willing to testify at the hearings, please contact Texas Alliance for Life at info@texasallianceforlife.org.

FACTOID: Over 3.8 million babies have been killed in Planned Parenthood facilities. In fiscal year 2004-2005 Planned Parenthood (supposedly a "not for profit" operation, had an income of $882 million and profit of $63 million. (Virginia Right to Life Newsletter, Jan./Feb. 20008)

QUESTION: Why do Americans continue to allow Congress to fund Planned Parenthood with our tax dollars? How about taking that up with your Member of Congress? http://www.plannedparenthood.org/files/PPFA/Annual_report.pdf