Teachers Saving Children® Inc. - National
Newsletter
Volume 7, Number 3
February 1997
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"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."
Recently I had the opportunity to visit Israel. On Christmas Eve 1996, one of the sites we visited in Jerusalem was Yad Vashem, which is a place of commemoration and homage to the six million Jewish victims of the Nazi regime. There are many components of Yad Vashem. Ohel Yizkor, the Hall of Remembrance, is a low building made of unhewn boulders. Here we found the names of the major death camps written on the floor and an eternal flame burning next to a vault containing the ashes of some of those who died in the Holocaust.
Another component of Yad Vashem is a museum that documents the rise of Hitler's National Socialist Party, the deeds it perpetrated during World War II, and the aftermath. At the end of the museum tour we climbed a set of steps that led to a room of monuments. Each monument listed the country and the number of Jews from that country who died in the Holocaust.
Another component was a memorial for the 11/2 million Jewish children who perished in the Holocaust. This memorial was erected through the generous gifts of Abraham and Edita Spiegel of Beverly Hills, CA in memory of their son, Liziel, who died in Auschwitz in 1944. As we walked through this memorial, we had to hold on to a railing that guided our way. We heard the names read and saw a lighted flame for each child who had died during the Holocaust.
As we left Yad Vashem, we walked through an olive grove. In this grove were trees that had been planted in memory of those individuals who hid Jews. Beneath each tree was a plaque listing the individual's name and their country.
I don't want to minimize what took place during the Holocaust of WWII. However, on January 22, 1973, abortion was made an individual right by the US Supreme Court. Today, 24 years later, abortion is protected by the courts, promoted as a fundamental right, and has become one of the most divisive issues not only within the NEA but across the USA. Since 1973, thirty-seven million babies have been aborted here in the United States. That is over 6 times the number of Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Each year since 1973 there has been the same number of babies aborted - 11/2 million - as the total number of Jewish children who died in the Holocaust of WWII.
On January 22, 1997, I was in Washington DC to participate in the 24th annual March for Life. I was reminded how easy it is to take a day off work or off school and go to Washington to be a part of thousands of individuals who are taking a stand for life. Not that this event isn't important, but what am I doing on a daily basis to help preborn children.
In Matthew Chapter 25 Jesus teaches His disciples about the separation of the sheep and the goats. Beginning in verse 35 Jesus said "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. . . . Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:35-40 KJV).
One day each of us will be accountable before Almighty God. We will be accountable for our obedience to Him -- including our obedience concerning the abortion issue. Each of us needs to take some time to pray, reflect, and ask God what He would have each of us do as individuals to stop this abortion Holocaust.
It may be something very simple, like reaching out to a woman in crisis pregnancy . . . or providing a gift of clothing for an unwed mother and her baby . . . or giving a monetary gift to a pro-life organization or pregnancy center.
God may be asking you to do something more challenging such as doing sidewalk counseling outside an abortion mill . . . or taking a stronger stand within your local union . . . or becoming a delegate to the NEA convention.
As I walked through the Yad Vashem museum I saw the following famous quotation that has been attributed to Martin Niemoeller.
"In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up."
Are we willing to persevere in speaking up for the little ones?
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me."
But is the NEA really the voice of the educator serving in the local public school classroom? There are many teachers from across our nation who feel that the NEA does NOT represent them and are very disturbed by the NEA's agenda. Therefore, it is very important for TSC members to get involved and make their voices heard on a regular basis.
Whether or not you are a member of the NEA, communication to the NEA regarding your views on the NEA's pro-abortion position is vital. At least once a year teachers - both NEA members and non-members - should write a letter to the NEA president and the state affiliate president to express their opposition to the NEA's view on abortion.
Since this past year was a major election year, the NEA again spent millions of dollars to promote their agenda through the donation of PAC money to endorse and support candidates at all levels. This spring there will be a push for NEA-PAC contributions to help replenish their funds. Three years ago a suggestion came from Judy Bruns, a TSC member, regarding our response to EPAC contributions. She suggested that if each person would fill out an EPAC contribution form with a donation of 1 penny along with a written note expressing opposition to the NEA's view on abortion, our voices would be heard.
Members can also voice their opinion by serving in an elected or appointed position. Besides serving as a local officer, there are also delegate, building representative, and committee positions available.
All the policies of the NEA and state affiliates are adopted by the delegates to the various representative assemblies. These delegates are selected by their colleagues to represent their views in the deliberation of the assembly. However, many local associations are not represented or are under-represented at these assemblies - sometimes just because there is no one willing to be a delegate. Yet it is so important for each local to be represented and that the "voice of the members" be heard.
Pro-life NEA members are needed to run as delegates to the NEA and/or state affiliate representative assemblies (RA). One does not need to speak in large forums to be highly effective. A delegate's primary purpose is to weigh the issues presented on the floor of the RA and then to vote on the issues. Sometime alternates are needed as a delegate may not be able to attend a certain RA. Check with your local president if you are interested in being considered as a delegate to any of the representative assemblies - regional, state, and/or national.
One does not need to serve in an elected or appointed position to express their opinion. The most important duty a responsible NEA member can do is VOTE. Vote on all possible issues and positions - local officers and representatives, local and at-large delegates. Local elections are very important because many educators get involved in the union at the local level and then move up the ranks, getting more involved in regional, state, and then the national level. Many local and NEA delegate elections will take place yet this spring. Check with your local association president to make sure that you have the opportunity to vote for your local officers and your delegates to the 1997 NEA RA.
Make sure you know the results of the elections. Know who your local officers are. Know who your delegates are to the various representative assemblies. Then contact these individuals and let them know your philosophy on the issues. You can also contact the person who represents you on the regional, state, or national executive committees. These committees interpret policy set by the representative assemblies and conduct the business of the various levels in between the RA sessions.
Finally, educators can make their voices heard by choosing the option of becoming a non-member by filing either "fair share" or "religious accommodation". TSC has information regarding both of these options.
To make change at the State and National levels our message, which is rational and sensible, must be heard. Get involved by educating yourself about the issues and the candidates. Then get involved by serving in a position, writing, voting, or choosing an option of becoming a non-member. Together our message will be heard!
The following letter writing guidelines are adapted from "Lobbying By Letter: Guidelines For Writing to Legislators" by Douglas Johnson, NRLC Federal Legislative Director.
Be Timely: Letters are most effective if they are received by the NEA leadership during the annual membership drive. They are also effective if they are received by your delegates to the various representative assemblies (RA) prior to the assembly dates. There are many issues that come to the floor of the RA. TSC tries to keep its members informed of any pro-life related issues that will be raised at any of the RAs - both at the national and the state levels.
Letters Must Be Personal: Letters should be typed or neatly handwritten. Information and arguments from TSC articles can be used, but the letter should be in your own words. If possible, mention your own personal experiences and observations. Generally speaking, an officer or delegate will pay more attention to one personal letter than to a dozen form letters.
Be Concise: Letters should be short and to the point. One page is usually adequate. State your point in the first paragraph. Give reasons for your position. If you have the actual document, make reference to the Resolution, Legislative, or New Business Item you are writing about.
It is sometimes helpful to include supportive material, such as a newspaper clipping, with your letter. Be sure that all supportive material comes from a reliable source and is well documented. Avoid discussing two different items or unrelated issues in the same letter.
Be Respectful: State your views in a firm but courteous manner. Explicit threats or abusive language will not convert an unsympathetic officer or delegate, but may motivate them to work against our efforts. In addition, offensive letters may anger officers or delegates who previously were undecided or sympathetic to our position.
Follow Through: Expect a response. Often, the initial response will be a form letter and will merely explain NEA's view of their position. If the response is not satisfactory, write again. Be sure to refer to earlier correspondence and ask specific questions.
Pay Attention to Your Delegate: Ask them specifically how they voted on a particular item. When they vote pro-life, thank them. When they vote pro-abortion, write a letter reminding them of whom they represent.
**Check with your local president for information regardng the names, addresses, and phone numbers of your delegates and the dates of the regional, state, and national RAs.
**Address for NEA Leadership:
National Education Association
1201 16th St NW
Washington DC 20036
Last fall, a suggestion was made that local Christian bookstores be contacted regarding placing TSC brochures on their free literature racks. If there is a Christian bookstore near you, check with the management to see if they would be willing to make TSC brochures available to the public.
Recently an individual took the time to send a packet of pro-life educational materials, including a TSC brochure, to all the teachers within their school district as well as the surrounding districts in their county. What a great project idea for a local RTL chapter.
Summer will soon be here and another great way to spread the word is for pro-life organizations to distribute TSC brochures through their fair booths. TSC brochures also can be distributed through display tables or booths at conventions. If you have contacts with pro-life organizations and/or leadership, please contact TSC for details on how they can help us distribute TSC brochures through fairs and conventions.
The success of this organization depends on each of us doing our part in taking a stand for life. We are always looking for suggestions about ways we can spread the word about TSC to pro-life educators across this nation. Your continued help is needed in recruiting the troops as we work together in this battle for life.
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