MBC leader urges Missouri Senate boss to pass pro-life bill
By Allen Palmeri
Staff Writer
April 27, 2004
JEFFERSON CITY – Moved by the fact that a major pro-life bill has been languishing in the state Senate since April 1, Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Executive Director David Clippard met with Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, April 27 to ask Kinder to advance the measure.
Clippard said Kinder was “non-committal" on pushing the bill due to time constraints and a filibuster by Democrats, but the MBC leader was encouraged by their noontime meeting in the side gallery of the Senate. Kinder, who is pro-life, suggested that Clippard have the same conversation with Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, so that Gibbons, another pro-life senator, could advance the bill to the Senate floor.
“I’m going to contact Sen. Gibbons and see if we can make that happen," Clippard said.
Clippard called his meeting with Kinder a success.
“We let him know that Missouri Baptists are vastly supportive of a pro-life position," Clippard said.
Kinder expressed appreciation to Clippard for his visit and to Missouri Baptists for their concern on an important issue.
Kerry Messer, lobbyist for the Christian Life Commission of the MBC, said Clippard succeeded in that he clearly articulated to Kinder that Missouri Baptists place a high priority on life.
“There are those individuals and even organizations who put receiving state money over passing pro-life legislation," Messer said. “We made it clear to the Senate pro tem leader that we were not one of those groups. We believe passing pro-life legislation is much more important than anybody receiving state funds."
Clippard encouraged Missouri Baptists to call their senator at (573) 751-2000 and ask that Senate Bill 738, sponsored by Sen. John Loudon, R-Ballwin and a member of Ballwin Baptist Church , be advanced to the Senate floor. Prayers for Kinder and Gibbons to advance the bill are in order, Clippard said.
The measure includes three pro-life clauses. The first, sponsored by Loudon, would impose civil liability for violating Missouri ’s informed consent law that stipulates children must get parental permission before having an abortion. Another piece of the bill prohibits anyone but licensed physicians from performing abortions. A third piece, sponsored by Sen. Matt Bartle, R-Lee’s Summit and a deacon at First Baptist Church, Raytown, specifies that a “next friend" does not include another minor child or any person who has a financial interest or may potentially gain from the minor’s decision to have an abortion.
The Senate bill would save an estimated 800 lives a year, Messer said.
The bill was placed on the Senate’s informal calendar March 17 but has made scant progress toward a vote before the full Senate. It was heard briefly April 1 and has been shelved ever since.
Perhaps motivated by the Senate’s inaction, the House took up a replica of Loudon’s bill just two hours before Clippard stepped foot into the state Capitol. Rep. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield, is the sponsor of the House measure.