United States Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, Republican of the 9th Congressional District, accepted 1,400 signed “red” envelopes from the children, parents and parishioners of the St. Anthony Catholic School on Tuesday morning, Feb. 3, as part of a local rally.
The envelopes or post cards were part of a Nationwide Post Card campaign aimed against the passage of House Bill 1964, “Freedom of Choice Act.” The bill is scheduled to come before the 111th Congress for passage and then sent to President Barack Obama for his signature.
The rally was held at the St. Anthony gymnasium on Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m., which was to be held outside the school but wind-chills of -9 below zero kept the rally inside the school.
According to statements made at the rally, the “Freedom of Choice Act” (FOCA), is a radical piece of legislation that creates a “fundamental right” to abortion throughout the nine months of pregnancy, and will be funded by the taxpayers.
This controversial piece of legislation also states, “No governmental body at any level—federal, state or even local—would not be able to “deny” or “interfere” with an abortion. It even strips parents of their right and responsibility to be informed or involved in their minor daughter’s abortion decision.
The red envelope or post cards are part of a campaign of items to be sent to President Barack Obama at The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC.
On the back of the envelope, the following message was, “This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception.”
The event was hosted by the local Knights of Columbus, school principal Sister Joann Kuchler and Father Dennis B. Zacheis.
The event was also attended by many individuals representing numerous local faiths.
When asked why they were in attendance, one person stated, “We hope that other congressmen, like Blaine Luetkemeyer, would come out  and listen to what we thought about this bill, and other bills, before congress. We all are encouraged that he took the time to listen to us.”
Luetkemeyer was elected to the 9th District following the term served by former Congressman Kenny Hulshof.
Luetkemeyer was asked to deliver the 1,400 envelopes from the Sullivan rally to President Obama.