Thursday, February 16, 2012

Passage of Oklahoma Personhood Act Paves Way for State Constitutional Personhood Amendment

Personhoodusa

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., Feb. 16, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Personhood Oklahoma, a coalition of local pro-life citizens and organizations, is applauding the passage of the Personhood Act through the Oklahoma Senate. The measure was approved by a margin of 34 to 8 on Wednesday. 

Sponsored by Tulsa Senator Brian Crain, SB1433 recognizes the fact that life begins at conception and affords all unborn children "at every stage of development all the rights, privileges, and immunities available to other persons, citizens, and residents of this state." 

The measure defines the terms "unborn child" and "unborn children" to "include all unborn children or the offspring of human beings from the moment of conception until birth at every stage of biological development." It now heads to the State House where it is expected to pass. 

Oklahoma's Personhood Act received the backing of the state's National Right to Life affiliate Oklahomans for Life. In recent months, the group circulated a petition throughout the state to build momentum and support for the measure. 

Personhood Oklahoma is also preparing to launch a citizen-led initiative to add an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution that recognizes the right to life of every person. 
"Personhood Oklahoma is pleased to see the Oklahoma pro-life movement coalescing around and defending the personhood rights of all people, born and preborn," said Dan Skerbitz, Director of Personhood Oklahoma. "And we are looking forward to working with Oklahoma's personhood supporters to make it a permanent part of the State Constitution."