This year, Delegate Gilbert was the House patron for one of our most consequential legislative priorities, legislation that protects the freedom of association and freedom of religion rights of student groups on public college campuses. This followed his leadership last year on legislation that protects the rights of faith-based child placement agencies to operate according to their religious beliefs. Both bills protecting our liberty have become models for the rest of the nation. About receiving the award, Delegate Gilbert said:

I was surprised and honored to be named The Family Foundation’s Legislator of the Year. The Family Foundation and I have teamed up in the last few years to do some amazing work protecting religious liberty and traditional moral values, and together we have accomplished some great things for Virginia.

Delegate Gilbert’s solid pro-life, pro-family voting record is complemented only by his leadership in his caucus, in committee, and on the floor of the House, where he is more than willing to stand — no doubt much to the chagrin of some around him — to defend life, marriage and religious liberty, and to take on those legislators who seek to undermine our values and principles.

Delegate Todd Gilbert (L) receives The Family Foundation Legislator of the Year Award and congratulations from TFF Vice President for Policy and Communications Chris Freund.

Delegate Gilbert’s leadership has made him the target of the secular left, and in particular Equality Virginia. The state’s largest homosexual organization has targeted Delegate Gilbert because of his strong stance on religious liberty and his opposition to adding protection for sexual behavior to the state’s non-discrimination law. In an environment of hostility, where the very phrase “social issues” or “values issues” causes some of our elected officials to reflexively run for cover, the media hysteria over anything pro-life or pro-family, and the secular left’s endless rhetorical assault on conservative legislators — plus a clear cultural shift away from Godly principles and a too often silent church — few legislators are willing to lead like Delegate Gilbert.

It is always an honor to present an award to legislators of conviction who put principle before politics to advance our shared values. Congratulations to Delegate Gilbert for winning this year’s Legislator of the Year award. We look forward to continuing to work with him on protecting and advancing our values.

You can view the Report Card by clicking here.

It is our hope that the Report Card, along with Voter Guides TFF Action will distribute in the fall, will motivate citizens to vote, and help them make informed choices when they go to the voting booth. All 100 seats in the House of Delegates are up for election this year, as well as the offices of Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General. Depending on outcomes of the Republican convention and Democrat primary, as many as four members from the House of Delegates or Virginia Senate with scores on this Report Card could be on the ballot for those statewide offices in November.

How well did your delegate and senator vote? Click on the image to access the 2012-13 Family Foundation General Assembly Report Card

As with each Report Card distributed over the years, hundreds of votes taken by the legislature during the past two years were reviewed. The first page of the Report Card explains the criteria used in determining which votes to include. Non-partisan and broad-based, the Report Card seeks not to benefit one party or one candidate over another, but to arm voting Virginians with the information they need to make an informed choice when they go to the ballot box.

This year’s Report Card has 13 “100 percenters” in the House o Delegates and nine in the Senate.

The Family Foundation Action distributed 100,000 copies of the last edition, not including those that were downloaded from the Action website. Our goal this year is to distribute more than 120,000.

To order additional copies of the Report Card to distribute in your church, community group and to like-minded friends and neighbors, click here, or contact Roger Pogge at The Family Foundation Action at 804-343-0010 or at roger@tffaction.org. A suggested donation of $.25 per copy is encouraged to help defray costs of printing and distribution. Please also consider sponsoring the distribution of 100, 500 or even 1,000 Report Cards with a donation of $25, $125 or $250. Checks should be written to “TFF Action” and sent to 919 East Main Street, Suite 1110, Richmond, VA 23219;,or you may pay by credit card here. Thank you for your support.

The mission of The Family Foundation Action is to protect families and promote responsible citizenship by giving Virginians the tools they need to hold their elected officials accountable. The Family Foundation Action is not a PAC and cannot endorse candidates.

Paid for by The Family Foundation Action.

This denial has been the typical response of the abortion industry to the discovery of dozens of health and safety violations by public health officials at Virginia abortion centers. Despite the clear evidence that the abortion industry does not take patient safety seriously, despite the evidence of blood splattered equipment and patient beds, unsterilized equipment, unsanitary conditions, untrained staff and more, the industry continues to claim it’s “safe.”

The pattern of disregard for women’s health was just revealed again in March when the owner of two Virginia abortion centers, the notorious Dr. Steven Brigham, had three of his abortion centers closed by public health officials in Maryland for violations of health and safety standards. The owner of A Capital Women’s Clinic has had multiple abortion centers she owns in other states shut down because of health violations. Yet the industry and its apologists in the legislature and media continue to ignore or deny the need for health and safety standards.

After you watch the video you will see why gaining the abortion center safety standards last week from the Board of Health was so important. For those who could attend the meeting, Ms. Yeroian’s testimony was no unlike those who spoke during the public comment period during the Board of Health meeting. You will see why we could no longer allow abortion centers to “self-regulate.” Left to their own devices, abortion centers will continue to maximize profit and minimize health and safety as we documented here with yet more discovery last week from a Freedom of Information Request on the most recent round of health department inspections.

We had a huge victory last week. But the thanks go to everyone who submitted comments online to the Board of Health, to those who attended the recent public hearings in Richmond and Alexandria, and those who attended the Board of Health meetings last September and last week. Because of your actions, proponents of the abortion center standards outnumbered opponents at both public comment meetings and were at least as many, if not more, at the Board’s meetings! We thank you for your commitment and willingness to stand publicly for life.

But we are not as those who have no hope. Our hope is in the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth.

This is a reminder that the National Day of Prayer is coming up on Thursday, May 2. It’s a day when Americans will gather together to pray that God will grant us mercy and send us the help we need to turn our nation back to Him. The theme this year is “Pray for America.” The Scripture that that the organizers have chosen to highlight this theme is Matthew 12:21:

In His name the nations will put their hope.

While we will continue to work hard to ensure that the Virginia General Assembly passes laws that protect life, marriage and our religious liberty in the commonwealth, we are convinced that only through the Lord will our state and nation be saved. Please consider finding a local gathering and participating this year. For your convenience, click here to visit the National Day of Prayer official website. There, you can find locations of announced events as well as other useful information. Click on the “Events” tab to find a prayer gathering near you.

The National Day of Prayer is an important time for us to stop and recognize our need for the Lord as a nation. We all know what a critical time this is. Let us not neglect the One who can deliver us from the dangers that await us if we fail to act.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

We believe strongly in the foundation that prayer lays for our work both at the capitol and at the grassroots level and, therefore, we are reaching out to all our friends and supporters to connect with us in prayer. Partnership with God in prayer is a tool that sets us apart from those who oppose Biblical principles in government.

Our focus has been and is framed by the current General Assembly issues that are of great importance to our five principles of human life, marriage, religious freedom, parental authority and constitutional government. We meet once a week on Tuesdays, at the capitol, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. for corporate prayer and intercession. We have a conference prayer line, where those who are unable to be physically present at the capitol call in to join in prayer.

If you have found yourself wishing for something do to affect policy outcomes, wish no more. You are invited to join with us as we lay the foundation for a peaceable life for all our citizens in prayer. To be added to our prayer ministry e-mail list and to receive the weekly prayer alerts, please call Jackee at 804-343-0010 or e-mail her at jackee@familyfoundation.org.

Today’s story actually began yesterday when The Family Foundation obtained documents from the Virginia Department of Health that indicated continued widespread health and safety violations at Virginia abortion centers and widespread failure to fulfill plans of correction for earlier found deficiencies. At one facility, Virginia law concerning parental consent and an ultrasound requirement was broken numerous times. The startling findings included:

» The exam room of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia had a small bin where examination instruments were placed, which was filled with water and had a dead insect floating inside;

» Dried blood was found on the exam light in the procedure room at Richmond Medical Center for Women;

» Three of four patients having an abortion at Roanoke Medical Center for Women on December 18 were minors with no evidence of parental consent in their record;

» Dried blood on a chair in the recovery room at NOVA Women’s Healthcare; and

» No documentation at Alexandria Women’s Health Clinic that tis three abortion doctors have valid and current medical licenses, let alone the experience and qualifications required to perform abortions.

These reports from the unannounced, follow-up inspections of abortion centers continued to show dozens and dozens of deficiencies — some even worse than before. Even after submitting plans to correct deficiencies, Virginia abortion centers have not chosen to do so. The Board owed it to the people of Virginia — the women of Virginia — to protect the health and safety of Virginians.

At 9:00, in front of a packed board room as well as an adjacent overflow room, the Board of Health meeting began with staff reports, followed by a public comment period that lasted one hour. (Click here to view pictures of the meeting and pro-abortion activists acting up).

Senator Steve Martin (R-11, Chesterfield), chairman of the Senate Education and Health committee, spoke first. He encouraged the Board to pass the regulations affirming that as drafted they fulfilled the legislative intent of the General Assembly. Numerous abortion supporters followed — many taking on a satirical tone, insulting the Board and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, and suggesting that those with religious (i.e., Christian) beliefs should not be allowed to voice their opinion.

Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb testified revealing the results of the inspections released yesterday. Other pro-life organizations that testified included the Virginia Catholic Conference, Concerned Women for America, and the Jubilee Project, a pro-life public interest law firm. Other groups, including Alliance Defending Freedom, had submitted public comment.

After the comment period, Board members James Edmondson and Ana Jeng attempted to postpone the vote until the Attorney General’s office could submit an opinion as to whether the requirement to file an economic impact statement on existing abortion centers was met (since they qualify as small businesses) and for the Department of Health staff to draw up alternative options for those facilities. After that failed, the pair introduced, and seconded, an amendment to grandfather the standards for existing abortion centers, so that they would not be required to meet the structural requirements mandated in the regulations. Each motion failed on votes of 11-2.

The Board was reminded by its staff attorney that, in fact, there was an economic impact statement filed, and located it for them in their briefing books in case they had not read it. She then reiterated that the Board had considered alternatives to the structural requirements las June, but the Attorney General would not certify them because they did not rise to the requirements of the law passed by the General Assembly.

Board member Amy Vest struck down any chance of passage of the grandfather amendment may have had by telling the Board that she recently scheduled a walk-through of an abortion center in her area and was disappointed by the health and safety risks she encountered (creaky stairs that would likely not hold the weight of EMS personnel; inadequate recovery areas for patients who had to walk there themselves; sinks that would not allow space for proper medical hand-washing techniques; and hallways that would not accommodate a gurney in the case of an emergency.

The vote on passage was finally called for and in an overwhelming 11-2 margin, the regulations were finalized. While pro-life attendees applauded and gave thanks, abortion advocates jumped to their feet, chanting, “You have blood on your hands!” and held up signs bearing Cuccinelli’s face. Some had covered their hands in fake blood and waved their hands in the air. A man belted out a dirge about refusing to be overcome, causing him to be removed by the police. Security was eventually forced to clear the room due to the disrespect of the pro-abortion activists, who were more protestors than advocates, many of whom, during the comment period, threatened numerous types of actions to come.

Regardless of the pro-abortion antics, the regulations have passed and a significant victory was won for women and children of the Commonwealth. Gratitude goes to the 11 Board members who voted in favor of the regulations. Additionally, we would like to thank the state and federal pro-life organizations for their tireless support and all our loyal supporters who have sacrificed their time over the past two years writing comments to the Board, speaking during public comment periods, and showing up at the meetings to pray for and support the Board. Today is a good day for the health and safety of women and children in Virginia.

Of course, Planned Parenthood and NARAL are counting on your silence. If there’s any doubt as to what their ultimate, ghastly aims are, please see this video of a Planned Parenthood lobbyist.

Please do all you can to join us Friday and show that we are the voice of Virginia. We must show the Board of Health that we are pro-life and we are the majority! This could be a seminal day in the pro-life movement in Virginia.

By voting to adopt the standards tomorrow, the Board will ensure that Virginia’s abortion centers will be required to meet basic health and safety standards and will no longer be protected by a veil of secrecy. Showing up and voicing your support of these new standards is extremely important in the fight for life as it is crucial the Board see and hear from pro-life Virginians when deciding on final passage of the regulations.

Please plan to join us tomorrow and forward this link to your pro-life friends and share it on your social media sites. Plan to arrive at the Perimeter Center (9960 Mayland Drive, Richmond, 23233) at 7:00 a.m. (earlier if possible) to prevent pro-abortion activists from filling the room and silencing your voice. Seating is very limited, so not everyone will be able to get into the meeting, which is why it’s important to arrive early. We encourage you to bring a handmade sign showing your support for life. The public comment period will be in the morning, so if you want to speak in support of the regulations, please prepare a two-minute testimony (you cannot testify if you are not in the room, so you have to be there early to get in line). A final vote will likely take place after lunch, and the meeting is scheduled to adjourn at 3:00.

For a list of answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Board meeting, click here. Please contact The Family Foundation if you have additional questions (804-343-0010 or vafamily@familyfoundation.org).

The regulations, passed by the Board this past September, would promote safer conditions in Virginia abortion centers, resulting in a higher level of respect and dignity for the women who make the unfortunate choice to get an abortion. Since the announced inspections of Virginia’s 20 abortion centers, more than 100 health violations have been discovered. Some of these include:

» Blood-stained tables and equipment

» Unsterilized equipment

» Untrained staff members

» Crucial parts missing from emergency life-saving equipment

You can read more about the grisly findings here.

Voicing your support of these new standards is imperative. Please join us at the Board of Health meeting in Richmond tomorrow. Do not let NARAL and Planned Parenthood speak for Virginians in your silence. Make it known that Virginia is a pro-life state!

Of course, if you cannot attend the meeting, please take time today and tomorrow to pray for the meeting, the outcome, the Board members and for the safety and protection of pro-life activists in attendance.

There was, of course, a Board of Health meeting last September, where we mobilized a terrific turnout as the Board voted to pass the standards, so there may be some confusion as to why it is meeting again and why we another turnout of pro-life Virginians. Quite simply, the regulatory process is arduous, consisting of many votes, executive branch review, and public comment periods. So while we considered the September vote a major success, we cannot let up until the standards are completely finalized by the Board.

Showing up and voicing your support of these new standards is extremely important in the fight for life. It is crucial the Board see and hear from pro-life Virginians when deciding on final passage of the safety standards. We must show the Board of Health that we are pro-life and we are the majority.

Please plan to join us this Friday, April 12. Please forward this link to your pro-life friends and share it on your social media sites.

Plan to arrive at the Perimeter Center (9960 Mayland Drive, Richmond, Va. 23233) at 7:00 a.m. to prevent pro-abortion activists from filling the room and silencing your voice. Seating is very limited, so not everyone will be able to get into the meeting. That’s why it’s important to arrive early. We encourage you to bring a handmade sign showing your support for life. There is likely to be a public comment period, so if you want to speak in support of the regulations, please prepare a two-minute testimony. The meeting is scheduled to adjourn at 3:00 p.m. Depending on when the vote is held, it may become a day-long event.

For a list of answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Board meeting, click here. Please contact The Family Foundation if you have additional questions (804-343-0010 or vafamily@familyfoundation.org).

The safety standards, as passed by the Board last September, would promote safer conditions in Virginia abortion centers, resulting in a higher level of respect and dignity for the women who make the unfortunate choice to get an abortion. Since the announced inspections of Virginia’s 20 abortion centers — inspections that were part of the temporary rules passed by the Board, and the first inspections of abortion centers in decades — more than 100 health violations have been discovered. Some of these include:

» Blood-stained tables and vials

» Unsterilized equipment

» Untrained staff members

» Crucial parts missing from emergency life-saving equipment

The Family Foundation recently released new violations that have been found just since June. One report from the Roanoke Medical Center states that:

Staff used . . . a sponge to clean the procedure jars and failed to disinfect procedure jars and stoppers between patients . . . failure to disinfect three (3) of three recovery cots between patients and one (1) of one lab chair . . . observation revealed one of the vacutainer needle holders had visible dark red splatter within the hub, which attached to the needle to draw the patient’s blood.

This is just one example of why these standards are needed more than ever. Americans expect to undergo a medical procedure in a sterile environment with trained doctors and nurses. Why is the same standard not met for women who choose abortion?

Voicing your support of these new standards is imperative! Please join us at the Board of Health meeting in Richmond on April 12. Do not let NARAL and Planned Parenthood speak for you in your silence!

I truly believe that this amendment will save more lives than perhaps anything we’ve ever done.

The amendment’s passage was a tale more convoluted than the typical legislative labyrynth, complete with procedural moves unfamiliar to most, dramatic back room conversations and mistakes that turned into miracles. Suffice it to say, God was at work — mightily. He alone deserves the credit for this success. We’ll tell the complete and detailed insider story in a later post.

Regardless of how legislators may feel about Obamacare health insurance exchanges, the vote on this amendment was solely about the taxpayer funding of abortion. Many who voted for this amendment oppose the concept of exchanges overall. Please note when checking how your legislator voted, that a vote for this pro-life amendment cannot be considered a vote against health care freedom. Some type of exchange must be created, by law, so this was to make the best of a bad situation.

Although many deserve thanks for this important victory, we would like to specifically thank Governor McDonnell for introducing the amendment, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling for ruling the amendment germane (click links for contact information), the 20 senators and 55 delegates who voted for the amendment (click links for names), national pro-life organizations for their assistance, such as the Susan B. Anthony List, and local pro-life groups — especially the Virginia Catholic Conference, the Virginia Society for Human Life, and the Virginia Assembly of Independent Baptists — for joining us in our advocacy on this amendment at Mr. Jefferson’s capitol yesterday.

Conscience and life were protected today. Please thank God first, but secondly those above who deserve our gratitude for their principled stand for life. The complete details and inside story tomorrow.

The amendment simply continues what has been state law for the proposed exchanges since 2011 when the General Assembly adopted a similar amendment. Because the state has chosen not to create a state exchange but instead force the federal government to do so, the amendment is necessary. Twenty states have already taken this step and more are considering it. Despite the rhetoric of the abortion industry, private insurers can continue to offer elective abortion plans outside the exchanges if they wish.

Now the General Assembly must accept Governor McDonnell’s amendment at tomorrow’s Reconvened Session (i.e, the “Veto Session”) where it considers amendments and vetoes by the governor. While we are confident that the House of Delegates will adopt the amendment, the 20-20 Senate is questionable.

So that is really where the battle lies. Over the last several days we have mobilized citizens across Virginia to contact their legislators — especially key senators — to make sure they know the citizens of Virginia want this amendment passed.

Please contact your delegate and senator and urge them to support Governor McDonnell’s amendment to HB 1900 and SB 921. If you are not sure who they are, click here to find out. Then, or if you already know who they are, click here to look up your delegate’s contact information and here to look up your senator’s contact information.

Then contact the following key senators and urge them to vote YES on this important amendment as well:

Senator Harry Blevins: 757-546-2435 district14@senate.virginia.gov

Senator John Watkins: 804-379-2063 district10@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Charles Colgan: 703-368-0300 district29@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Phil Puckett: 276-979-8181 district38@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Frank Wagner: 757-671-2250 district07@senate.virginia.gov