Teachers Saving Children® Inc. of Ohio
	Press Release May 2, 1992	Home TSC Ohio Press Releases

May 2, 1992, Columbus, Ohio.  Several delegates to the Ohio Education Association (OEA) Representative Assembly held in Columbus on May 1-2 expressed disappointment that the assembly objected to consideration of New Business Items concerning OEA's position supporting abortion rights.

At the Friday Representative Assembly, delegates affirmed support of abortion rights while discussing Resolution I-3 regarding Civil Rights and the issue of "reproductive freedom".

However, on Saturday when two New Business Items were on the docket to be presented, both were "objected to consideration" because of the issue to be discussed.

As a first time delegate to the assembly, Philip Saneholtz, of Milford expressed dismay that open discussion about abortion was prohibited by "objection to consideration". "I am perplexed because many of my constituents told me they wanted OEA to be neutral regarding abortion. I was prepared to speak in support of New Business Item 9 - 'OEA shall be neutral on the issue of abortion'. The delegates refused to discuss this issue even though they spent considerable time discussing a wide range of social issues."

Delegate Ken Frazier also noted that "delegates were allowed to speak about their opinions except those scheduled to speak about neutrality on the issue of abortion."

An objection to consideration was also made to New Business Item 16. This item requested that "The OEA will develop and implement an official ballot to be sent to each member through the Ohio Schools magazine. Through unbiased questioning, the ballot should attempt to ascertain member opinion on the issue of neutrality of the organization regarding abortion." Gary Winney, delegate from Wickliffe, stated that "less than 2% of Ohio's teachers refused to allow the other 98% to have a direct voice in this controversial issue, thus denying them the freedom to choose what position they wish the OEA to have on the issue. Objection to this New Business Item further confirms that the OEA has a pro-abortion stand."

Connie Bancroft, Executive Director of Teachers Saving Children^® (of Ohio) was also present at the assembly as an observer. "As the Executive Director, I talk with many teachers and school employees across the state. I find that there are many who are very concerned about the pro-abortion stand of OEA. I am also concerned that delegates are granted the privilege of speaking to many issues, both educational and social, brought before the assembly, yet when their own duly elected delegates wanted to speak to the issue of abortion, they were denied."

Teachers Saving Children^® Inc. of Ohio is an organization of pro-life teachers of Ohio and other concerned citizens committed to establishing among professional educators' organizations a respect for all human life from conception to natural death.

Home TSC Ohio Press releases