Fall 2003 ACTION NEWS | VOL. XXII No. 3
Other Stories
Director on the Road
![[Omaha Event]](director3.jpg)
Joe speaks at A Woman's Touch Dinner in Omaha
On June 20, Pro-Life Action League National Director Joe Scheidler traveled to Baltimore, MD for a dinner honoring pro-life leaders. The event hosted by Steve Peroutka was held at Michael's Eighth Avenue Restaurant in Glen Burnle, MD.
The Director was recognized for victory in the NOW v. Scheidler case, and Baltimore pro-life activist Jack Ames received the second annual Pro-Life Appreciation Award. The Director was back in Baltimore in July for Jack's Maryland Face the Truth tour (see full story).
![[Joe and Jack]](director1.jpg)
Joe with Jack Ames at Baltimore event
June 26-28, the Director attended the National Life Center Convention in Myrtle Beach, NC with wife Ann and daughter Annie (see full story).
The Director spoke at the Right to Life of Greater Akron annual dinner at the famous Tangier Restaurant on September 6 in Akron, OH, at the invitation of Mike Duffy. Ernie Sanders was the M.C. Notorious partial-birth abortionist Martin Haskell operates a clinic in Akron.
![[Wanderer Forum]](director2.jpg)
Joe at the Wanderer Forum in Washington, D.C.
On September 12 the Director spoke at the annual fundraising dinner for A Woman's Touch crisis pregnancy center in Omaha, NE. Geri Doyle and Liz Miller hosted the event. The next day the Director joined a protest at the abortion mill of partial birth abortionist Leroy Carhart. The mill was shut down for the day.
On September 26, the Director attended the Wanderer Forum in Washington, D.C. The theme for this year's forum was "Mary, Mother of the Church," and the M.C. was University of Notre Dame professor Charlie Rice. Scheidler gave a talk on "Pro-Life on Its Knees—In Prayer."
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Scheidler Receives Gratiam Dei Award
Joe Scheidler was honored with the Gratiam Dei Award at the Catholic Press annual banquet, held at the Flossmore Country Club in Flossmore, IL September 13. Catholic Press president Fr. Michael Gilligan praised Scheidler for his uncompromising pro-life witness, especially during the 17-year ordeal of NOW v. Scheidler.
![[Joe with Fr. Gilligan]](gratiam.jpg)
Joe Scheidler and Fr. Michael Gilligan [Photo by EJS]
Other congratulations were offered by Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry, who offered the dinner blessing and Archdiocesan Respect Life Coordinator Mary-Louise Kurey, who read a statement by Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life. NOW v. Scheidler lead attorney Thomas Brejcha spoke on the great significance of the court victory and offered a moving encomium for his most famous client.
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Pro-Life Basic Training
On July 23 the League hosted a Pro-Life Basic Training course in our offices, directed by former Green Beret and veteran pro-life activist Brian Clowes of Human Life International. Clowes traveled to Chicago with his wife Cathy expressly to run the course, which is usually conducted over the course of two days.
The two dozen pro-lifers in attendance found the course rewarding and inspiring, if challenging in its accelerated version. Clowes covered everything from how to identify and make the best use of one's individual gifts in the pro-life effort, to understanding the mind-set of the pro-abortion side.
Clowes noted that he will no longer be conducting the Basic Training course because it is now available on CD, allowing students to absorb the wealth of material at their own pace. He demonstrated the CD course and gave away a few trial copies. For information on ordering the Pro-Life Basic Training CD, write Human Life International, 4 Family Life Lane, Front Royal, VA. 22630, or call 800-549-5433.
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In Memoriam
A dear pro-life friend, Patricia Heisler, died on September 9, 2003, after a courageous battle with cancer. Pat became acquainted with the Pro-Life Action League and the Scheidler family when she lived in the Chicago area (1974-1981). She was a faithful activist at pro-life protests and prayer vigils. After moving to Tulsa, OK, Pat founded an activist pro-life group, Life Alert, and the Aaron Crisis Pregnancy Center to help women choose life for their babies.
When Pat lived in Tulsa, she sent a pair of genuine cowboy boots to the Scheidlers' one-year old, Matthias. Matt loved the boots and would wear no other shoes. Thoughtfully, Pat continued to send larger size cowboy boots during Matt's early years. The first pair of boots still stands on Joe Scheidler's dresser. Pat Heisler will continue to live in our memory. We pray for her speedy welcome into heaven and are confident that she is praying for the entire pro-life movement.
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Links and Related Articles
- Human Life International site for books and other materials by Pro-Life Basic Training instructor Brian Clowes
- Director on the Road article from June 2003 Action News