The pro-life movement in Ohio today is celebrating a statement-making victory against a pro-abortion and tyrannical Ohio House Speaker. Kudos goes to Ohio Right to Life Executive Director Mike Gonidakis. He mobilized the broader pro-life community, including the American Family Association and the Family Research Council, in a singular show of pro-life muscle.

Here is what happened. Ohio teen Elisabeth Trisler was to be recognized on the floor of the Ohio Statehouse for winning the National Right to Life Oratory Contest. Her state representative organized the presentation, which is fairly common during legislative sessions. However, when pro-abortion House Speaker Armond Budish became aware of the presentation he ordered it canceled.

Two days after, Ohio Right to Life brought attention to the issue, Budish reversed his decision.

http://blog.dispatch.com/dailybriefing/2010/02/budish_changes_stance_on_right.shtml

“Speaker Budish recently called me to convey his change of heart and I thanked him on behalf of the pro-life community,” said Gonidakis. “Blocking speech because you don’t like what someone is saying or what they stand for goes against the very fabric of who we are as Americans. And, while the speaker got there the hard way, at least he got there.”

“Many thanks are deserved to the broader pro-life movement, including the American Family Association and the Family Research Council, for mobilizing on behalf of this issue,” added Gonidakis. “When the pro-life community speaks with one loud voice, elected leaders quickly address our concerns.”

http://www.ohiolife.org/base.cfm?page_id=1725