Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback -- and the people of Kansas and their legislators -- will be honored with the National Pro-Life Recognition Award at the 22nd annual National Memorial for the Pre-born and Their Brothers and Sisters, to take place from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 22 at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.

Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life and President of the National Pro-Life Religious Council, said: "Each year, this award is given to someone who has served the unborn in a profound and exemplary way. In 2015, Gov. Brownback signed a law, the first in the nation, to protect children from dismemberment abortion. We have supported and spoken about the need for this kind of measure for many years, and the governor’s commitment to protecting preborn children from the pain of dismemberment abortion led all of us in the pro-life movement to recommit ourselves to helping pass this law in many more states across the nation.”

Gov. Brownback, who will attend the National Memorial to accept the award, said he is honored by the recognition, and invites Kansans to join him at the prayer service:

"As Governor of Kansas I have signed 15 Right to Life bills reaffirming our commitment that life at all stages is sacred and valuable. I appreciate the efforts of the National Pro-life Religious Council, Priests for Life and their allied organizations in recognizing the people of Kansas and their elected officials at the National Prayer Service. Kansas has enacted legislation protecting unborn children from dismemberment abortions, and I encourage other states to do the same. I ask you, therefore, to join me at this prayer service, so that the action we have taken in Kansas can be an encouragement to similar efforts throughout this great land."

Dismemberment abortion encompasses several common second-trimester procedures.

Soon after Gov. Brownback signed the bill, a county judge in Kansas blocked enforcement and father and daughter abortionists filed a lawsuit against it. Earlier this month, the 14-member Kansas Court of Appeals heard arguments from both sides and has promised a speedy decision.

“We pray this law will be enacted, and that the nation follows Kansas’s lead in protecting the unborn,” Father Pavone said.

Organizations that are co-sponsoring the National Memorial with the National Pro-Life Religious Council and Priests for Life include: American Values, Jubilee Campaign Law of Life Project, Life Issues Institute, Americans United for Life, National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA), Alliance Defending Freedom and Catholics Called to Witness.

Serving on the Host Committee are: Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council; Gary Bauer, President, American Values; Archbishop Craig W. Bates, Patriarch of the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church; Ernie Ohlhoff, National Right to Life Committee; Alveda King, Director of African-American Outreach, Priests for Life; Bradley Mattes, President and CEO, Life Issues Institute; Charmaine Yoest, Ph. D., President and CEO, Americans United for Life; Alan Sears, President, CEO, and General Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom; Dick and Sherley Bott, Bott Radio Network, and Rich Bott, President and CEO, Bott Radio Network.

The National Memorial for the Pre-born is an interdenominational prayer service. It will be preceded by a Catholic Mass at 7:30 a.m. in Constitution Hall. Large groups can be easily accommodated in the venue, and no tickets or reservations are required.
Constitution Hall is at 1776 D Street NW, at 17th Street. For more information about the National Memorial, go to www.NationalPrayerService.com