The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of 50 state affiliates and more than 3,000 local chapters, brings its annual convention back to the Sunshine State June 23-25, at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront in Jacksonville, Florida. The convention last came to Florida in 1998.
Every summer pro-life individuals from across the country and around the world gather at the National Right to Life convention to exchange ideas, share information and join together in the common goal of ensuring protection for all innocent human life. Attendees include leaders of National Right to Life's chapters and state affiliates, veteran pro-life activists and new members who have only recently taken up the cause of life.
"The National Right to Life Convention truly is the premiere pro-life educational event of the year," said National Right to Life President Carol Tobias. "Every attendee -- from the most seasoned activist to the newest members of our movement -- will leave empowered with information about abortion, assisted suicide, embryo-killing research, and the Obama health care law and will be motivated to share that information in their own communities."
This year's convention is hosted by National Right to Life's Florida affiliate, Florida Right to Life, and offers more than 70 workshops and general sessions featuring experts who will address the broad spectrum of pro-life issues.
Guest speakers at this year's convention include National Right to Life President Carol Tobias, Executive Editor of The Weekly Standard and Fox News Contributor Fred Barnes, former Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson, recording artist Jaime Thietten, abortion survivor Melissa Ohden, author Angela Franks, Ph.D., ethicist Steven Zielinski, M.D., J.D., and photojournalist Michael Clancy. The convention will also feature a Republican presidential candidate forum on Friday morning.
Additionally, American Victims of Abortion, an outreach program of National Right to Life, will mark its 25th anniversary with a series of workshops exploring the impact of abortion on both women and men in the country and the very real prevalence of post-abortion syndrome among women who have had abortions.
National Teens for Life (NTL) will also hold its 26th annual convention concurrently with workshops and sessions geared specifically toward educating and mobilizing the next generation of pro-life activists.
Reporters MUST have credentials in order to attend the convention. To register for credentials, complete and return the form available here or call Jessica Rodgers in the NRLC Communications Department at (202) 626-8825. An informal breakfast briefing will be held for reporters at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 23rd. Please note on the form, or when you call, if you will be attending the breakfast briefing.
Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates and more than 3,000 local chapters, is the nation's oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement, NRLC works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.
National Right to Life Convention 2011
June 23-25 -- Jacksonville, Florida -- Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
"Bringing America Back to Life!"
-- Major Sessions --
Thursday, June 23, 2011
10:00 - 11:30 am
Opening General Session & Welcome
"Bringing America Back to Life!"
Fred Barnes, Executive Editor The Weekly Standard and FoxNews Contributor
Carol Tobias, NRLC President
Hon. Lynda Bell, NRLC Vice-Chairman of the Board
Special Tribute to Dr. Mildred Jefferson, former NRLC President
12:45 - 2:15 pm
General Session
"Planned Parenthood: The Hyper-Political, Under-Regulated, Out-of-Control Mega-Marketer of Abortion"
Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood Director
Randall K. O'Bannon, Ph.D., NRLC Director of Education and Research
Mary Spaulding Balch, J.D., NRLC Director of State Legislation
Reverend Dennis C. Day, NRLC Treasurer
Friday, June 24, 2011
7:30 - 9:00 am
Annual Prayer Breakfast
"The Apathy is Killing Me!"
Melissa Ohden, abortion survivor
Bishop Felipe Estevez, Diocese of St. Augustine
Music by recording artist Jaime Thietten
Ernest L. Ohlhoff, NRLC Director of Outreach
9:30 - 11:30 am
NRLC Republican Presidential Candidate Forum
Carol Tobias, NRLC President
David O'Steen, Ph.D., NRLC Executive Director
Darla St. Martin, NRLC Co- Executive Director
Confirmed: Herman Cain, Hon. Rick Santorum, Hon. Ron Paul
Saturday, June 25, 2011
9:30 - 11:00 am
General Session
"Fighting Denial of Life-Saving Treatment"
Bobby Schindler, Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network
Suzanne Schindler Vitadamo, Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network
Burke Balch, J.D., Director, NRLC Powell Center for Medical Ethics
David N. O'Steen, Ph.D., NRLC Executive Director
8:00 - 11:00 pm
Closing Banquet
"In the Blink of an Eye -- How One Photo Changed the Abortion Debate"
Michael Clancy, Photojournalist
Hon. Geline B. Williams, NRLC Chairman of the Board
Music by recording artist Jaime Thietten
Contact: Derrick Jones or Jessica Rodgers
Source: National Right to Life Committee
