. . . because action speaks louder than words.
League history, NOW v. Scheidler, Action News, Joe Scheidler, League staff
League history, NOW v. Scheidler, Action News, Joe Scheidler, League staff
Q & A on abortion, the unborn child, where we stand on the issues and more
Helping abortion-bound women choose life for their babies
Unmasking the truth about abortion in the public square
Our youth outreach, raising up a new generation of pro-life leaders
Abortion industry converts tell the inside story
News and commentary from the Pro-Life Action League
Inspired by Joe Scheidler during his January visit to Tuscon, pro-life dynamo Sunny Turner founded Face the Truth Arizona and began organizing the first Face the Truth Tour ever in Arizona. In a matter of weeks, Sunny had assembled an organizing committee and nation-wide prayer network, and began raising the funds for literature and signs.
The Pro-Life Action League provided assistance and advice throughout the planning of the Arizona Tour. The tour ran April 20-28, visiting three sites around Tuscon each day, and was a great success. Hats off to Sunny and the Arizona Tour group!
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A group of suburban Chicago pro-lifer activists organized by League friends Dan Gura, Jim Finnegan and Carol Walsh have been protesting at the Inverness, IL home of notorious abortionists and mill owner Vinod Goyal on the third Saturday of every month.
The group also protests late-term abortions at Luther General Hospital the second Saturday of the month. To join either monthly protest, call the League at 773-777-2900 for more information.
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Joe Scheidler with President Ronald Reagan during Jan. 22, 1986 White House summit with national pro-lifer leaders
It was during Mass at a University of Steubenville pro-life conference that I heard Ronald Reagan had died, when we prayed for his soul during the Prayers of the Faithful. It was an appropriate setting for such news. Reagan was a man of strong faith and an courageous voice for the unborn. We will miss him.
I had the opportunity to meet Reagan three times, first when he was running for President and I organized an impromptu rally for him at O'Hare Airport. I walked him to a waiting car, and said, "The next time you come to Chicago it will be on Air Force One" -- and it was.
I met Reagan twice in the Oval Office when he met with national pro-life leaders on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. At one meeting I sat directly opposite Reagan with my own jar of jelly beans. His presence can only be described as electric.
Perhaps Reagan could have done more for the unborn, and his appointment of Sandra Day O'Conner continues to be a disappointment. But he did much with other court appointments, numerous executive orders, and important pieces of legislation, as well as his eloquent 1983 statement, Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation.
I can conclude this tribute to Ronald Regan no better than to quote from a letter he wrote Nancy in 1966:
God has a plan and it isn’t for us to understand, only to know that He has His reasons and because He is all merciful and all loving we can depend on it that there is a purpose in whatever He does and it is for our own good. What you must understand without any question or doubt is that I believe this and trust Him and you must, too.
. . . And so must we all. May God rest his great soul.
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The League’s Generations for Life Director Annie Scheidler was married to Robert Casselman on May 29 at Queen of All Saints Basilica in Chicago. Annie will continue her youth outreach work from her new home in Dekalb, IL, where Robert is pursuing a PhD in Psychology from Northern Illinois University.
[Back to Top]The Chicago area pro-life community lost one of its most beloved and colorful figures on March 7 with the passing of Walter Schimick at age 77. Friends called the World War II veteran and retired forklift operator a "working man's John the Baptist" for his outspoken style and unswerving, selfless dedication to the pro-life cause.
Wally with fellow counselor Cathy Meiding at Albany abortion mill [Photo by Marie Smith]
As a sidewalk counselor outside Albany abortion mill in Chicago every Saturday, Wally helped talk many women out of abortion, including a mother who later gave birth to twins. Wally would even give money out of his own wallet to help couples in crisis. He was a regular participant in League demonstrations.
As he was overcome by cancer, Wally remained upbeat, telling fellow counselors, "I'll be back at the clinic with you soon." The Saturday following Wally's death, sidewalk counselors at Albany talked an astonishing five abortion-bound mothers into choosing life for their babies.
Wally is survived by many nephews and nieces and his devoted wife, Rita.
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