Annapolis, MD | December 2, 2005

Thank you, and goodbye

Dear Friend of Innocent Human Life,

In April 2004, I became a board member of Pro-Life Maryland, Inc., and since October 2004, I have had the great privilege of serving as its president and C.E.O. While this time has been filled with many blessings, both personally and professionally, I feel the Lord has chosen another place for me at this time. I simply would like to thank you for this opportunity to serve you and to be involved with the great work Pro-Life Maryland has, and will continue to accomplish.

Please allow me to briefly share just a few of the things Pro-Life Maryland has been able to achieve with your help during my time of service. Because our goal is to transform the culture of Maryland to embrace the dignity of human life, we adopted the slogan, "softening hearts for the innocent," and tried to allow this to guide all that we do. A new "look" was then given to Pro-Life Maryland's Web site and resources. We directed our attention to the common good that unites all people of good will, and inspired by our Christian faith, we have sought creative ways to lead people to the recognize the dignity of those seen as "useless" by society. With our attention focused on abortion, eugenic practices, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research and human cloning, we worked directly with Maryland's legislature - in support of or in opposition to laws that would affect innocent human life - and we began to develop several resources to help transform the culture in Maryland.

Among the resources we developed was Life Reflections™, written periodically in attempt to find points of contact with people, helping them to open their hearts and minds further to fully embracing a culture of life. Life Lines™ was presented as a resource for citizens in Maryland and beyond, to keep them informed of the many pro-life events taking place in the area, as well as to update them about important legislative information. Life Alert™ went a step further, with the goal of educating about proposed legislation and its implications for innocent human life, and included a call to action, encouraging the pro-life community to let its voice be heard. Lastly, we published two issues of the Life Brief™ newsletter, another tool for Maryland residents and legislators to learn about important life issues.

During last year's legislative session, we worked together with several other groups in Maryland and with pro-life legislators to help accomplish significant pro-life victories. As I explained in a Life Alert™, published April 20, a disaster was averted with the failure of the "Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2005," which would have allowed destructive embryonic research, human cloning and even fetal tissue farming. Another victory was accomplished with the passing of House Bill 398, which established that a prosecution might be instituted for murder or manslaughter of a viable fetus, as Maryland joined the majority of states that have laws to protect pregnant woman and their unborn children from assault. These victories could not have been accomplished without the prayers, support and witness of pro-life citizens like you.

As I said in a recent Life Alert™, published Nov. 18, this is a critical time in Maryland, because the overwhelming political pressure to financially support embryonic stem cell research has not subsided. We must continue to do all we can to insure Maryland's laws respect the value of innocent human life. Yet, we must remember that changing Maryland's laws to this end is a monumental task, which cannot be accomplished apart from changing the hearts of its citizens and working in communion for the common good.

Please continue to be a faithful witness to innocent human life in all that you do. Please continue to support the work of Pro-Life Maryland, Inc., and its Board of Directors -- dedicated people who have worked tirelessly for innocent human life. Although no longer officially involved with the organization, I remain a Maryland citizen, concerned for building a culture of life and softening hearts for the innocent. I look forward to continue working in communion with you to transform our culture, by God's grace, to fully embrace the common good. Thank you again.

Yours in communion for innocent human life,

Anthony R. Souza

HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE WORK OF PRO-LIFE MARYLAND?
· Click here to bless us with a secure on-line donation. We need your financial support to continue to achieve VICTORIES for Innocent Human Life.
· If you can volunteer your time and talents to work in our Annapolis office, please contact us. Internships are available.
· Please pray for Pro-Life Maryland as we work to soften hearts for the innocent.