STANDING IN THE GAP
Dear CWA of Washington Members,
“The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath, and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads, says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 22:29-31
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” I Timothy 2:1-3
PRAYER: Making a wall and then standing in the gap for the land and culture is hard work, but Paul exhorts us to do it first through prayer. Please pray for our nation and our state! You can pray for a specific state legislator through our Encourage-A-Legislator campaign by filling out the attached form and sending it back to us.
CWA is coming to Spokane!
Frontier West Family Restaurant and Bakery*
Saturday, February 27, 1-3 p.m.
We will have prayer, fellowship, coffee and dessert along with updates on CWA’s activities and future plans. If you live in the Spokane area, feel free to come and stay or drop in during those two hours and please bring a concerned friend who might like to know about CWA, the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization, dedicated to reversing the moral decline in our nation and state through prayer, education and action on issues vital to those with Biblical values.
In order to plan this event, we would appreciate an RSVP, but if you aren’t able to commit to attend at this time, come anyway if you find you can!
*2121 N. Division St
Spokane, WA 99207
509-328-4090
CWA is co-sponsoring two more Citizen Activist Workshops in Olympia on Tuesday, February 16, and March 2, 8:30 a.m. at 1211 State Avenue Northeast, 98506-4234. These are educational workshops to prepare you to interact with state legislators and become informed about state legislation. Please bring a concerned friend or two!
STATE LEGISLATION
CWA of Washington has been tracking several bills this session. Of the ten bills we’ve watched, the following are still moving. While the others are considered dead for the session, they could reappear, and we will notify you if we need your help with them.
I. FAMILY
SHB 2793 re: clarifying and expanding the rights and obligations of state registered domestic partners and other couples related to parentage; amending RCW
CWA of Washington opposes this bill!
This bill seeks to modify parenting laws through gender neutralization of all terms relating to “father”, “mother”, “man”, “male”, “woman”, “female” etc. by substituting “parent”, “person” and other gender-neutral words, thus removing any reference to male or female and their respective roles. It specifies that all provisions that apply to parents or parenting laws in a marriage also apply to those of domestic partnerships. It also seeks to amend surrogate parenting laws by applying all the standards for married couples to those of domestic partnerships, confirming the legal status of children born as a result of gestational surrogacy contracts.. Could this mean that “Mother” and “Father” will be changed to “Parent 1” and “Parent 2” on a child’s birth certificate? A very basic understanding of biology explains why this bill is nonsensical with no basis in truth or the reality of the need for a male-female union at some point to create new life. This bill further erodes the unique status of male-female marriage and definition of family.
SHB 2793 received a public hearing in the House Judiciary Committee, was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means and is now in the Rules Committee. Call your state representatives and ask them to VOTE NO ON HB 2793!
SB 6476 re: sex crimes involving minors; amending RCWs
CWA of Washington supports this bill!
Sex crimes against underage minors are increasing, particularly with regard to sexual trafficking. This bill seeks to give assistance and support to the at-risk minor and to increase penalties for adults convicted of sexual crimes against minors.
The bill has passed from the Human Services & Corrections Committee and has been sent to Rules Committee, where it is eligible to be sent to the Senate Floor for a vote. Please call your state representatives and ask them to VOTE YES on SB 6476.
SHB 2424 re: protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse; amending RCWs.
CWA of Washington supports this bill and asks you to call your three representatives today or tomorrow to ask them to VOTE YES on SHB 2424.
This bill is consistent with CWA’s efforts to return to the Biblical values that have protected families and children. The bill seeks to define child pornography and possession to include internet involvement and to protect individuals assisting in investigation by law enforcement of such crimes.
SHB 2424 is moving and waiting for a vote on the House floor. Contact your representatives today either at their individual Olympia offices (information available on the legislative website below) or on the Legislative Hotline below.
II. SANCTITY OF LIFE
SB 6452/HB 2837 re: limited service pregnancy centers; and adding a new chapter to Title 70 RCW.
CWA of Washington OPPOSES these companion bills.
There is no proof that pro-life pregnancy centers are guilty of the accusations in the bill, and this bill adds restrictions to the operations of “limited service pregnancy centers” which do not offer abortion that are not applied to centers that offer abortion or refer for abortion. In addition, many of these privately funded clinics are associated with churches or religious organizations, and there are First Amendment rights at risk. These are not usually medical clinics and advertise in the yellow pages of phone books under “Abortion Alternatives.” They offer free pregnancy testing and free counseling for alternatives to abortion, such as adoption and help and support for the mother. This bill could be used to put these pro-life clinics out of business by inviting frivolous lawsuits while sending more desperate women to abortion clinics whose interest lies in selling abortion services, not in the welfare of the mother and her child.
While both of these bills have remained in their respective committees and do not appear to be moving toward floor votes in the Senate and House of Representatives, the supporters desperately want to pass these into law, so please contact your legislators and ask them to allow REAL CHOICES for women and to VOTE NO on SB 6452 and HB 2837 should they be pulled from committee straight to their respective houses for a floor vote.
It appears that Referendum 71 served the purpose of stalling the pro-same-sex marriage bills in their committees. Unfortunately, bills and a resolution to protect traditional marriage have also died in committee, as has a bill to protect minor girls from abortion without parental involvement.
For more details on any of these bills and for contact information for your own district legislators, go to the Washington State Legislature website: http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature
The toll-free legislative hotline is 1-800-562-6000.
You may leave comments on up to four bills. Either leave a simple “Support” or “Oppose” or use talking points from above or your own thoughts. The hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m., closed 12:00 1:00 p.m. for lunch and on holidays.
Be sure to visit CWA’s national website for current news: www.cwfa.org and the state website for state information: http://wa.cwfa.org
Thank you for your prayers and your involvement in our state’s cultural battle!
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
In His Service,
Maureen Richardson, State Director
director@washington.cwfa.org
CWA of Washington
P. O. Box 143
Woodinville, WA 98072