Fwd: Great news! Multiple victories to share with you.

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: PA Family Institute <mail@pafamily.org>
Date: Fri, Oct 4, 2019 at 12:20 PM
Subject: Great news! Multiple victories to share with you.
To: <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>

VICTORY! PA House will open in prayer again. Thank you, Speaker Mike Turzai

Last year, members of the Pennsylvania House lost in district court when a group of non-theists sued over their longstanding guest chaplain policy that requires those opening legislative sessions in prayer be "a member of a regularly established church or religious organization."

The PA House courageously moved forward with an appeal. One year later, on August 23, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals overruled the lower court's decision. As a result, on Tuesday, October 1st, Chief Judge Christopher Conner, who had ruled against the PA House in favor of the atheists and agnostics, has now ordered that the court's previous decision be vacated, the claims made by the non-theists be completely denied and ruled in favor of the PA House.

Speaker Mike Turzai courageously stepped up to the challenge and used the legal means available to his office to rightfully defend the constitutionality of the prayer policy.

Independence Law Center, the legal arm of the Pennsylvania Family Institute, in conjunction with the Alliance Defending Freedom, filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of four of Pennsylvania's U.S. Congressmen who took a stand to defend prayer: Mike Kelly, Scott Perry, Lloyd Smucker and Glenn Thompson. That brief was cited by the Third Circuit to establish the longstanding purpose of these prayers — that "legislative prayers seek 'divine guidance' in lawmaking."

ABC27 covered the story last night and interviewed Randall Wenger. Click here for the ABC27 story. For more on this story, visit our website.

Philadelphia abortionist responsible for over 40,000 abortions closes his clinic.

During the trial of Kermit Gosnell, only one time during the entire horrific trial did the jury audibly gasp. That was when Dr. Charles Benjamin testified in a matter-of-fact way that he had performed over 40,000 abortions in his over 30 year career.

His private practice, Berger and Benjamin, LLP, has been performing abortions since 1978. However, after an inspection by the Pennsylvania Department of Health on June 24, 2019, the facility "voluntarily ceased services and relinquished their registration certificate." Their website now states, "The office of Doctors Berger and Benjamin has closed."

With this closing, nine abortion clinics in Pennsylvania have closed since 2012.

Highlights from our 30th Anniversary Celebration

We are so thankful to so many who helped make our 30th anniversary celebration a night of inspiration and encouragement. It was a wonderful evening for us to connect with many friends and partners to share a glimpse into the work you make possible.

30 years ago, we were part of a new venture with Dr. James Dobson and Focus on the Family - independent state Family Policy Councils with the mission to strengthen the institution of the family, respect for life and religious liberty, and resisting forces that undermine those precious values.

30 years later, thanks to the generosity and engagement of folks like you all across Pennsylvania, we're one of the strongest Family Policy Councils (of 40) in the nation in size, influence and impact.

Marijuana Minute: Let's Follow Science, Experience

Last week, Lt. Governor John Fetterman released his report on his marijuana "listening" tour and Governor Tom Wolf announced that he changed his position to now fully support legalization. Now, Pennsylvania Family Institute is raising serious concerns over the legalization and commercialization of marijuana and the harmful impact it would have on Pennsylvanians.

"You're inviting the commercialization of this product. Big Tobacco, Big Pharma coming in and profiting off of many in Pennsylvania that will be harmed by this product." - Dan Bartkowiak, PFI's Communications Director on CBS21.

PennLive: "What we all should rely upon are legitimate scientific studies," said Michael Geer, the Family Institute's president. "Take the 2017 study by the National Academies of Sciences, considered the gold standard for medical research, which concluded a number of problems that occur with the use of marijuana, including respiratory problems, mental health issues and increased risk of car accidents."

Here's PFI's full press release.