Hawaii

As we mentioned in last month’s e-alert on HB2739, physician-assisted suicide is alive and well in Hawaii.

 HB2730 passed through two committees last week and is expected to be voted on by the full House tomorrow morning.

 Take Action:

1. Today: Contact your Representative today and urge him/her to vote NO on HB2739. If you don’t know who he/she is then click here and fill in the blank next to “Find Your Legislator” in the upper right hand corner.  Be sure to let him/her know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Hawaii.
2. Tomorrow: If at all possible, attend the morning’s rally at the state capitol put on by Hawaii Family Forum.
3. Now: Please forward this e-alert to friends and family. Encourage them to both pray and act immediately.

Please Pray:  Pray for your representative by name.  Pray he/she will have the courage to defend life.

“…And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” – Psalm 139:16

 You can call it “death with dignity,” “medical aid in dying” or “informed healthcare decision”, but suicide is still suicide no matter how you spin it!

Statistics from states that have legalized physician-assisted suicide show the terrible unintended consequences Hawaii can expect to experience if it follows suit.  Here are just some of our concerns:

• The individual could be given the prescription due to a misjudgment or an error in the diagnosis of their disability or illness.
• Oregon, the first state to legalize assisted suicide, provides the most complete data available on the practice of assisted suicide in the United States. Oregon reports that individuals primarily choose assisted suicide because of reasons related to a disability and very little to do with pain management. The primary concerns center around having a disability: losing autonomy (92%), being less able to engage in activities making life enjoyable (90%), and losing dignity (79%). Fear of inadequate pain control is one of patients’ least cited reasons.
• Modern medicine has made significant advances in pain control. Doctors now have a range of options to treat pain in terminally ill patients, including even palliative sedation as a last resort.
• PAS increases overall suicide rates, lethal addictive drugs go unused, and mental health issues are ignored.

For more facts and statistics, go to noalohainsuicide.org.

Though there are many sound academic reasons to oppose physician-assisted suicide, as believers, the most important reason is because God, and God alone, is the author of life. We cannot take on the role of God and take life based on our inconsistent judgment.

We do not understand why God allows pain and suffering, but we know God is good; God is love, and His ways are higher than ours. God has appointed a time for each of us to be born and to die. He is with us in all things and has a purpose for every situation that comes our way. God has a plan for each and every one of us.

For Life!

Barbara Ferraro

State Director
CWA of Hawaii
P.O. Box 10732
Hilo, I 96721
[email protected]
hi.cwfa.org
808-965-9834

Wilma Youtz
Legislative Liaison
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]

“…And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” – Psalm 139:16

 You can call it “death with dignity,” “medical aid in dying” or “informed healthcare decision”, but suicide is still suicide no matter how you spin it!

As expected, physician-assisted suicide (PAS) has raised its ugly head again this legislative session. This emotionally-charged issue continues to draw heated support and opposition in Hawaii. However, statistics from states that have legalized PAS show the terrible unintended consequences Hawaii can expect to experience if it follows suit.  Here are just some of our concerns:

• The individual could be given the prescription due to a misjudgment or an error in the diagnosis of their disability or illness.
• Oregon, the first state to legalize assisted suicide, provides the most complete data available on the practice of assisted suicide in the United States. Oregon reports that individuals primarily choose assisted suicide because of reasons related to a disability and very little to do with pain management. The primary concerns center around having a disability: losing autonomy (92%), being less able to engage in activities making life enjoyable (90%), and losing dignity (79%). Fear of inadequate pain control is one of patients’ least cited reasons.
• Modern medicine has made significant advances in pain control. Doctors now have a range of options to treat pain in terminally ill patients, including even palliative sedation as a last resort.
• PAS increases overall suicide rates, lethal addictive drugs go unused, and mental health issues are ignored.

For more facts and statistics, go to noalohainsuicide.org.

Status: The senate companion bill SB1129 was deferred last year but re-referred this session as HB2739 to the House Committees on Health & Human Services and on Judiciary. It is now scheduled to be heard in both committees tomorrow, February 27.  Click here to read the bill and to track its status.

Now more than ever, each committee member needs to hear a message loud and clear from the citizens of Hawaii that we do not support this deadly pro-suicide bill. 

Please Take Action Now:

Contact members of both committees and ask them to vote NO on HB2739. Email each committee member and then give them a call. Feel free to call and leave a message after hours tonight if needed. Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Hawaii.

House Committee on Health & Human Services:
Chair Rep. John Mizuno, (808) 586-6050, [email protected]
Vice Chair Rep. Bertrand Kobayashi, (808)586-6310, [email protected]
Rep. Della Au Belatti, (808) 586-9425, [email protected]
Rep. Lei Learmont, (808) 586-6700, [email protected]
Rep. Andria Tupola, (808) 586-8465, [email protected]

House Committee on Judiciary:
Chair Rep. Scott Nishimoto, (808) 586-8515, [email protected]
Vice Chair Rep. Joy San Buenaventura, (808) 586-6530, [email protected]
Rep. Tom Brower, (808) 586-8520, [email protected]
Rep. Chris Lee, (808) 586-9450, [email protected]
Rep. Dee Morikawa, (808) 586-6280, [email protected]
Rep. Bob McDermott, (808) 586-9730, [email protected]
Rep. Gregg Takayama, (808) 586-6340, [email protected]
Rep. Cynthia Thielen, (808) 586-6480, [email protected]

Please Pray: Pray for each of the committee members as you contact them. Pray that HB 2739 will fail in both of these committees.

Though there are many sound academic reasons to oppose physician-assisted suicide, as believers, the most important reason is because God, and God alone, is the author of life. We cannot take on the role of God and take life based on our inconsistent judgment.

We don’t understand why God allows pain and suffering, but we know God is good; God is love, and His ways are higher than ours. God has appointed a time for each of us to be born and to die. He is with us in all things and has a purpose for every situation that comes our way. God has a plan for each and every one of us.

For Life!

Barbara Ferraro

State Director
CWA of Hawaii
P.O. Box 10732
Hilo, I 96721
[email protected]
hi.cwfa.org
808-965-9834

Wilma Youtz
Legislative Liaison
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]

“…And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” – Psalm 139:16

 You can call it “death with dignity,” “medical aid in dying” or “informed healthcare decision”, but suicide is still suicide no matter how you spin it!

As expected, physician-assisted suicide (PAS) has raised its ugly head again this legislative session. This emotionally-charged issue continues to draw heated support and opposition in Hawaii. However, statistics from states that have legalized PAS show the terrible unintended consequences Hawaii can expect to experience if it follows suit.  Here are just some of our concerns:

• The individual could be given the prescription due to a misjudgment or an error in the diagnosis of their disability or illness.
• Oregon, the first state to legalize assisted suicide, provides the most complete data available on the practice of assisted suicide in the United States. Oregon reports that individuals primarily choose assisted suicide because of reasons related to a disability and very little to do with pain management. The primary concerns center around having a disability: losing autonomy (92%), being less able to engage in activities making life enjoyable (90%), and losing dignity (79%). Fear of inadequate pain control is one of patients’ least cited reasons.
• Modern medicine has made significant advances in pain control. Doctors now have a range of options to treat pain in terminally ill patients, including even palliative sedation as a last resort.
• PAS increases overall suicide rates, lethal addictive drugs go unused, and mental health issues are ignored.

For more facts and statistics, go to noalohainsuicide.org.

Status: The senate companion bill SB1129 was deferred last year but re-referred this session as HB2739 to the House Committees on Health & Human Services and on Judiciary. It is now scheduled to be heard in both committees tomorrow, February 27.  Click here to read the bill and to track its status.

Now more than ever, each committee member needs to hear a message loud and clear from the citizens of Hawaii that we do not support this deadly pro-suicide bill. 

Please Take Action Now:

Contact members of both committees and ask them to vote NO on HB2739. Email each committee member and then give them a call. Feel free to call and leave a message after hours tonight if needed. Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Hawaii.

House Committee on Health & Human Services:
Chair Rep. John Mizuno, (808) 586-6050, [email protected]
Vice Chair Rep. Bertrand Kobayashi, (808)586-6310, [email protected]
Rep. Della Au Belatti, (808) 586-9425, [email protected]
Rep. Lei Learmont, (808) 586-6700, [email protected]
Rep. Andria Tupola, (808) 586-8465, [email protected]

House Committee on Judiciary:
Chair Rep. Scott Nishimoto, (808) 586-8515, [email protected]
Vice Chair Rep. Joy San Buenaventura, (808) 586-6530, [email protected]
Rep. Tom Brower, (808) 586-8520, [email protected]
Rep. Chris Lee, (808) 586-9450, [email protected]
Rep. Dee Morikawa, (808) 586-6280, [email protected]
Rep. Bob McDermott, (808) 586-9730, [email protected]
Rep. Gregg Takayama, (808) 586-6340, [email protected]
Rep. Cynthia Thielen, (808) 586-6480, [email protected]

Please Pray: Pray for each of the committee members as you contact them. Pray that HB 2739 will fail in both of these committees.

Though there are many sound academic reasons to oppose physician-assisted suicide, as believers, the most important reason is because God, and God alone, is the author of life. We cannot take on the role of God and take life based on our inconsistent judgment.

We don’t understand why God allows pain and suffering, but we know God is good; God is love, and His ways are higher than ours. God has appointed a time for each of us to be born and to die. He is with us in all things and has a purpose for every situation that comes our way. God has a plan for each and every one of us.

For Life!

Barbara Ferraro
State Director
CWA of Hawaii
P.O. Box 10732
Hilo, I 96721
[email protected]
hi.cwfa.org
808-965-9834

Wilma Youtz
Legislative Liaison
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]

SB 2323, a bill that would have required background checks on all homeschool families, was deferred by the Senate Committees on Education and on Human Services on Wednesday, February 14, 2018. Praise the Lord!

Many in opposition to SB 2323 were in attendance at the committee hearing, including Wilma Youtz, your CWA of Hawaii Legislative Liaison.  CWA of Hawaii submitted 136 signed testimonies in opposition to SB 2323 as well as individual testimonies from both your State Director, Barbara Ferraro, and Wilma Youtz.

This outcome represents a significant turn of events. Yesterday’s hearing began with an announcement from Sen. Michelle Kidani (D-District 18), Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, that SB 2323 would be passed with amendments to the Committee on Judiciary. However, the passionate and reasoned arguments, respectfully voiced by those in attendance, and the written testimonies led to a monumental turn of events. The committees’ members voted to defer SB 2323, meaning that the bill will proceed no further during this legislative session. Moreover, Sen. Josh Green (D-District 3), Chair of the Senate Committee on Human Services, indicated that SB 2274, a similar bill he introduced, will not be scheduled for hearing and will, therefore, die this session.  Thank you, Lord!

Our thanks go out to all of you who called the committee members earlier this week, signed and submitted written testimonies, attended the hearing, and prayed for the defeat of SB 2323. God so graciously heard our prayers and answered them!

“I waited patiently for the LORD,
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.”
— Psalm 40:1

While we celebrate this victory for homeschoolers, we must remain vigilant and be ready to mount the same effort should companion bill HB 2244 be scheduled for a hearing. It has been referred to the House Committees on Education, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, and Finance.  CWA of Hawaii will continue to monitor this legislative session and keep a watchful eye on this bill.

With praise and thanksgiving to God,

Barbara Ferraro
State Director
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]
hi.cwfa.org

Wilma Youtz
Legislative Liaison
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]

Hawaii’s 2018 legislative session is up and running! Concerned Women for America of Hawaii foresees a busy session, and your help will be needed on a number of issues. Together we will stand for Biblical values as we proclaim truth and grace to our legislators.

Within the first few weeks of the legislature, a total of three dangerous bills were introduced concerning the issue of homeschooling.  The bill of immediate concern is SB 2323. This would require all homeschooling families to undergo child abuse and neglect history inquiries and background checks by Child Welfare Services in order to receive approval to homeschool their children. Never before have Hawaii families been put under such scrutiny while trying to educate their own children.

This bill would set a “guilty until proven innocent”  basis for the law. Until parents can prove they are fit to parent their own children, they will not be allowed to educate their children.

Click here to read SB 2323 and track its status.

Without a doubt, these bills have been introduced in response to the California parents who imprisoned and abused their 13 children under the guise of homeschooling. This tragic story incriminates the parents – not homeschooling.  Though this situation, and a few others, occurred under the guise of homeschooling, these cases are extremely rare. Far more children who attend public or private schools are abused by their parents or the school system.

Please act now! Do not wait until it is too late. The committees vote on this bill on Wednesday, February 14, at 2:55 p.m.

Please pray diligently. Pray that those who see this as an opportunity to hinder homeschooling would be thwarted in their efforts to pass SB 2323. 

Please take action immediately. 

1. Email and call each member of the Senate Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Human Services and respectfully ask him/her to vote NO on SB 2323. Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Hawaii. Feel free to call and leave a message after hours if that is more convenient for you.

Senate Committee on Education:

Chair Sen. Michelle Kidani, (808) 586-7100, [email protected]

Vice-Chair Sen. Kaiali’i Kahele, (808) 586-6760, [email protected]

Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz, (808) 586-6090, [email protected]

Sen. Will Espero, (808) 586-6360,

[email protected]

Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, (808) 587-7200, [email protected]

Senate Committee on Human Services:

Chair Sen. Josh Green, (808) 586-9385, [email protected]

Vice-Chair Sen. Stanley Chang, (808) 586-8420, [email protected]

Sen. Breene Harimoto, (808) 586-6230, [email protected]

Sen. Jill Tokuda, (808) 587-7215,

[email protected]

Sen. Glenn Wakai, (808) 586-8585,

[email protected]

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6

2. If time permits, attend the hearing this Wednesday, February 14, at the Capitol Conference, Room 229, at 2:55 p.m.

3. Please pass this e-alert on to friends and family and encourage them to pray and take action.

Please protect parents’ rights to educate their own children without government intrusion and overreach.  Join CWA of Hawaii in opposing SB 2323. Your voice matters, and your efforts can make a difference!

Barbara Ferraro
State Director
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]
hi.cwfa.org
Wilma Youtz
Legislative Liaison
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” – I Timothy 2:1-2

With the state legislature beginning this week, our Encourage-A-Legislator (EAL) Project will be in full swing by the end of the month.   We need encouragers to pray for our 76 State Legislators, our four U.S. Members of Congress, our Governor and Lt. Governor. Our prayer is that each and every one of them will be covered in pray and encouragement this legislative session.

If you have not participated in our EAL Program in the past, know that this program is focused solely on prayer and encouragement to our state legislators.  Participants simply pray for an assigned legislator every day of the legislative session and send a postcard once a week to their assigned state legislator with encouraging words letting them know that they are being prayed for each day.  We will do monthly Prayer post cards for our U.S. Members of Congress, Governor and Lt. Governor the rest of the year.  The state legislative session goes until May 3.  This is not a lobbying effort but a ministry to the legislators.  Whether a legislator is a believer, non-believer, conservative, liberal, democrat, republican, independent or other, they are in desperate need of prayer.  This legislative session, CWA of Hawaii plans to deliver those prayers.  If you have participated before, please join us once again.

Once signed up, participants receive a packet with the name and biography of their assigned legislator, and a sufficient number of Hawaii EAL postcards, suggestions to write on the postcard (optional) and the dates on which to send the postcards.

Seen or unseen, prayer always has a significant impact. Year after year, we receive letters of appreciation from the legislators expressing their gratitude for the many postcards of prayer and encouragement.  They often communicate how they need and want to be upheld in prayer as they serve the people of Hawaii.

Sign up today by e-mailing me at [email protected],  or call  808-965-9834.   I will need your name, address, phone number and how many legislators you would like to encourage.

Please forward this on to friends and family who you think may be interested in participating.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Praying along with you,

Barbara J. Ferraro
State Director
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]
hi.cwfa.org

Merry Christmas from CWA of Hawaii!

Dear CWA of Hawaii Friends,

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to you and yours! We have had such a rewarding year of working together to further the Biblical values we hold so dear. Please click here to read about all the Lord has done through the ministry of CWA of Hawaii in 2017.

Barbara Ferraro
State Director
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]
hi.cwfa.org

Dear Friend,

Do you want to make a “powerful and effective” investment in the state of Hawaii? Consider participating in the annual Encourage-A-Legislator (EAL) Prayer Project sponsored by Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Hawaii.  The project is designed to be simple, yet effective, as we pray for the hearts and minds of our legislators and their families.

We are very excited to be embarking on our eighth year of prayer and encouragement, and we want to invite you to join us! The EAL Prayer Project consists of sending postcards of encouragement and a commitment to pray for your assigned state legislator(s) during the 2018 Hawaii legislative session. The EAL Prayer Project is not used for lobbying purposes.

The EAL Prayer Project impacts state legislators in two ways. First and foremost, it intensifies and ensures consistent prayer for each legislator. Second, it encourages and builds bridges with the conservative legislators, as well as those who do not normally agree with CWA. As prayers are offered on behalf of the legislators, and as they receive your postcards, hearts are changed and encouraged.

CWA is prayerfully seeking faithful volunteers so that the 71 legislators, the governor, our two U.S. senators, and our two U.S. representatives will be individually prayed for during the 2018 legislative session, which begins January 17th and continues through the first week in May.  We will provide the postcard. All you have to do is provide the stamps and a commitment to pray and encourage.

If you would like to participate, please e-mail CWA of Hawaii’s state office. Specify whether you would like to pray for one or two legislators, and provide your name, address, phone number, and email address.

I can’t think of anything more powerful than praying for those in authority, as they are responsible for making policy decisions that impact our daily lives. This is a great project for churches, homeschoolers, women’s groups, and more.  I hope you will join us!

We are looking for your commitment today! Your packet will be mailed to you this coming January.

Barbara Ferraro
State Director
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]
hi.cwfa.org

Next Tuesday, October 3, there will be a vote on H.R. 36, Pain Capable Unborn Child Act, in Washington, D.C.  We have tried for some time now to get this passed into law so that a fetus 20 weeks or older will not be destroyed through abortion.  This life-saving legislation would ban abortions at the point when scientists agree unborn children begin to feel pain in the womb (approximately 20 weeks).  There is a young boy right now who is five years old who was born at 20 weeks gestation.  Years ago this would not have been possible; yet through continually advancing medicine, this child is now thriving.

Please act now to support this bill.

1. First, contact your Representative and asking her to vote yes on H.R. 36 on Tuesday. Click here to find out who your representative is.  Click on “Representative” and then fill in your address.
2. Then, contact your senators and ask them to do the same when it comes before them.

President Donald Trump has already said he will sign this bill when it comes to his desk.

 Please take a moment now to prayer for the success of this bill.  Pray for your representative by name.  Pray her eyes will be opened to the reality of abortion and that she will have the courage to do the right thing.

Barbara J. Ferraro

State Director
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]
hi.cwfa.org

California: On September 25, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is scheduled to consider whether to grant cert. (a hearing) in the case of NIFLA v. Becerra. The suit challenges the state of California on an unconstitutional law that mandates and compels prolife pregnancy centers to refer for abortion, just like Hawaii’s S.B. 501 does.

Hawaii: Attorney Jim Hochberg, along with the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) and Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), has filed a case against the state of Hawaii for passing a similarly unconstitutional law, S.B. 501. This requires crisis pregnancy centers to refer patients for abortions against their moral and religious convictions.

This California case will, of course, set precedent for the Hawaii case because both states fall under the jurisdiction of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Please pray regularly for these cases.

Prayer Requests 

1. Pray SCOTUS will agree to hear the California case.
2. Pray that at least four Supreme Court justices will vote in favor of granting the California appeal.
3. Pray for each Supreme Court justice by name:

• John Roberts, Chief Justice, appointed to the high court by President George W. Bush
• Anthony Kennedy, Associate Justice, appointed by President Ronald Reagan
• Clarence Thomas, Associate Justice, appointed by President George H.W. Bush
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice, appointed by President Bill Clinton
• Stephen Breyer, Associate Justice, appointed by President Bill Clinton
• Samuel Alito, Associate Justice, appointed by President George W. Bush
• Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice, appointed by President Barrack Obama
• Elena Kagan, Associate Justice, appointed by President Barrack Obama
• Neil Gorsuch, Associate Justice, appointed by President Donald Trump

4. Pray for wisdom and guidance for Attorney James Hochberg, NIFLA’s attorneys and ADF’s attorneys.
5. Pray for the prolife pregnancy centers in our state. Pray for courage as they continue to stand against the current law.

Take Action:

1. Find out if there is a crisis pregnancy center in your area. Pray for them regularly and even send them an encouraging card.
2. Forward this to others who may want to join us in prayer.

For Life!

Barbara Ferraro
State Director
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]
hi.cwfa.org

Please be in prayer for Gov. David Ige. Yesterday, members of the Hawaii Christian Coalition met with the governor to voice their opposition to SB501. This bill threatens the very existence of crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) and the unborn lives they seek to save.  It forces CPCs to give information about local abortion clinics as legitimate options to expectant mothers.  Simply, it’s a bullying bill, and it does not support free speech. Pray the Lord uses the information that was presented to Gov. Ige to motivate him to veto this bill that is currently on his desk.

If you haven’t already voiced your opposition, please do so NOW!  Go to our state webpage for background information on this horrendous bill and its journey through the legislature. Prior to the Intent to Veto deadline of June 26, Gov. Ige will be considering public comments on bills that he has not yet approved or vetoed. This Intent to Veto deadline is the last date that he can send a notice to the legislature that he is considering a veto on any unapproved bills. However, just because a bill is on the list does not mean he will veto it. He can also decide to let it become law without his signature. If a bill is NOT on the veto list, it will become law, with or without his approval, no later than July 11.

Take Action: If you haven’t already, please contact Gov. Ige. Ask him to veto SB501.
1.     Click here to submit your comments to Gov. Ige online.
2.     Call the Governor’s office at (808) 586-0034. The fate of SB501 and crisis pregnancy centers hangs in the balance.

Continue to pray!
1.     Pray that Gov. Ige puts SB501 on the Intent to Veto deadline list before June 26.
2.     Pray that he vetoes it before July 11 to prevent SB501 from becoming law.
3.     Pray that his heart is softened towards the unborn, CPCs, and the Lord. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Pray that the Lord will do just that. 

Together, we can make a difference! 

Barbara Ferrara
State Director
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]

Wilma Youtz
Legislative Liaison
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]

Read and be sure to pass on to a friend!

SB105 has passed out of the Conference Committee and is now before the House and Senate.  It is schedule to be in the House at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow and in the Senate at 10:00 a.m.

Go to our state webpage for background information about this horrendous bill and its journey through the legislature.  Click here to read the bill.

Take Action: Please contact both your Representative and Senator by phone and/or e-mail.  Ask them to vote NO on SB501.  Click here to find out who your legislators are and how to contact them.  Go the upper right hand corner where it says “Find Your Legislator.”  Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Hawaii.

There were some members of the Conference Committee who had some reservations about this bill so perhaps there may be some more in the House and Senate.  Regardless, we have to at least make an attempt to stop it.

Please Pray. Pray for the defeat of SB501 in the House and Senate.  “The fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16)

Thank you for continuing to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

In His service,

Barbara Ferraro
State Director
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]
hi.cwfa.org

Wilma Youtz
Legislative Liaison
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]

SB501 passed out of the House Committee on Judiciary earlier this month and passed out of the House last week. The efforts to promote abortion clinics through Crisis Pregnancy Centers is abominable! Go to our state webpage for background information about this horrendous bill.

The Conference Committee has now scheduled a meeting for tomorrow, April 21 at 1:00 p.m. in conference room 016.  No written or verbal testimony is allowed.  We can though call the committee member offices and e-mail them our disapproval.

This is one more opportunity for us to pray and speak our piece.  It is not the time for the people of God to be silent on behalf of the least of these.  Regardless of the outcome, before God, we must not be silent.

If this bill passes, rumor has it that an immediate lawsuit will be filed against it as being unconstitutional because it is forcing these Pregnancy Centers to promote or offer info regarding positions they do not believe in, such as abortion.

Prayer is our most important weapon, so we must pray before we act.

Please Pray that SB501 will miraculously be stopped in Conference Committee tomorrow.  Pray for each committee member by name.

Action must not be overlooked.  For a faith is dead without it.

Take Action: Please contact each member of the committee.  Email and then follow-up with a phone call.  Respectfully communicate to them the disgust you have for SB501. Assure them that it is unconstitutional to force someone to do something like this against their religious beliefs.  Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Hawaii.

Rep. Della Au Belatti, Chair: [email protected] / 586-9425
Senator Rosalyn H. Baker, Chair: [email protected] / 586-6070
Rep. Scott Y. Nishimoto, Co-Chair: [email protected] / 586-8515
Sen. Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Co-Chair: [email protected]/  586-7344
Rep. Joy A. San Buenaventura – Co-Chair: [email protected] / 586-6530
Sen. Jill N. Tokuda, Co-Chair: [email protected] / 587-7215
Rep. Roy M. Takumi, Co-Chair: [email protected] / 586-06170
Senator Maile S.L. Shimabukuro, Co-Chair: [email protected] /586-7793
Rep. Bertrand Kobayashi – Co-Chair: [email protected] / 586-6310

Thank you for speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.

For His service,

Barbara Ferraro
State Director
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]
hi.cwfa.org

Wilma Youtz
Legislative Liaison
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]
g

West Hawaii Today prints state director’s letter to the editor concerning the defense of crises pregnancy centers. Click here to read.

 “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.  If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?” (Proverbs 24:11, 12,)

Update: SB501 SD1 has passed through yet another committee.  On Tuesday it passed the House Committee on Health .  It will now be voted on House Committee on Judiciary.  The vote is yet to be scheduled, but is expected any day. Very little notice is given, so please act now. Click here to view current statues.

SB501 SD1 “Requires all limited service pregnancy centers to disclose the availability of and enrollment information for reproductive health services; establishes privacy and disclosure requirements for individual records and information; authorizes civil penalties and civil actions for enforcement and remedy.”

Bottom line, pregnancy care centers will be required to provide information on local abortion clinics to their clients or break the law and face civil penalties and civil actions.

This bill is a battle for survival of the innocent unborn and the pregnancy care centers that advocate for them. View this excellent video we came across the other day.  It’s of a pastor pleading the case of his church.  Part of their church is a Pregnancy Care Center.  Therefore, their church could be forced to promote abortion. Click here to view video. And then, take action!

Please Take Action Immediately.

Contact each committee member and ask him/her to vote NO on SB501 SD1. Email each committee member and then give them a call. Feel free to call and leave a message after hours.  Let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Hawaii.

1. Contact as many legislators as your time allows. Every contact you make counts!  Join the chorus in opposition to this bill.

House Committee on Judiciary:
Rep. Scott Nishimoto, Chair: [email protected] / 586-8515
Rep. Joy San Buenaventura, Vice Chair: [email protected] / 586-6530
Rep. Della Au Belatti: [email protected] / 586-9425
Rep. Dee Morikawa: [email protected] / 586-6280
Rep. Marcus R. Oshiro: [email protected] / 586-6700
Rep. Tom Brower: [email protected] / 586-8520
Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson: [email protected] / 586-9470
Rep. Chris Lee: [email protected] / 586-9450
Rep. Mark Nakashima: [email protected] / 586-6680
Rep. Bob McDermott: [email protected]/586-9730
Rep. Cynthia Thielen: [email protected]/ 586-6480

2. Please forward this e-alert to friends and family and ask them to pray and take action.

More about SB501 SD1:

• Requires pregnancy care centers to do what is in direct opposition to the centers’ very mission.
• Is an attack on religious freedom.
• Is an attack on free speech.
• Is a “one-way street” that imposes no such requirement on abortion providers to advertise the services of pregnancy care centers.
• Seeks to further the agenda of abortion providers.

Know that this is not a two-way street.  There is no such law in the legislature being considered that requires abortion clinics to give information out about pregnancy care centers.

Please, make your phone calls and send your emails now.  The very survival of pregnancy care centers and therefore the lives they seek to save and minister to depend on it.

Please Pray. Pray for the defeat of SB501 in the House Committee on Judiciary. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16)

“For You formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb.  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:13-14a)

For life!

Barbara Ferraro
State Director
[email protected]
hi.cwfa.org
Wilma Youtz
Legislative Liaison
[email protected]

TESTIMONY TO THE HOUSE

As the State Director for Concerned Women for America of Hawaii, I join with my members here in Hawaii in opposing SB1129.  There is no “Dignity for Death” when a person is helped to end their own life.  God, and God alone, is the author of life.  We must not take on the role of God and take life based upon our inconsistent judgment.

Here are just some of the many concerns we have about physician-assisted suicide:

• There are not sufficient safeguards against coercion and elder abuse. At least one in ten elderly people is the victim of domestic abuse which is difficult for a healthcare provider to identify. Because any doctor can write a lethal prescription, an abuser can “doctor shop” until they find a provider willing to assist them in killing their victim.
• Oregon, the first state to legalize assisted suicide, provides the most complete data available on the practice of assisted suicide in the United States. Oregon reports that individuals primarily choose assisted suicide because of reasons related to a disability: loss of autonomy, loss of enjoyable life activities and loss of dignity.
• Modern medicine has made significant advances in pain control. Doctors now have a range of options to treat pain in terminally ill patients, including even palliative sedation as a last resort.
• Oregon reports that the dominant reasons motivating patients to choose assisted suicide have nothing to do with pain management. The primary concerns center around having a disability: losing autonomy (92%), being less able to engage in activities making life enjoyable (90%), and losing dignity (79%). Fear of inadequate pain control is one of patients’ least cited reasons.
• A physician will also have to play the role of God to conclusively determine the timeline of a person’s life, regardless of how conclusive a diagnosis may seem at any given time.
• The physician will also have to conclusively determine that a person is of “sound mind”  when persons are diagnosed with a terminal illness.
• Physician’s assisted suicide preempts the possibility of a favorable change in the patient’s health.  It also might be so premature that we can erroneously make a permanent decision based on a temporary health situation.

God has given us the gift of life, He is the only one who can take it away.   We are asking you to vote NO on SB1129.

Sincerely,

Barbara J. Ferraro
State Director
Concerned Women for America of Hawaii
P.O. Box 10732
Hilo, HI  96721

“Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.  If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?” (Proverbs 24:11, 12,)

Update: SB501 SD1 has passed through yet another committee.  On Tuesday it passed the House Committee on Health .  It will now be voted on House Committee on Judiciary and the House Committee on Finance.  The vote is yet to be scheduled for both committees, but is expected any day. Very little notice is given, so please act now. Click here to view current statues.

SB501 SD1 “Requires all limited service pregnancy centers to disclose the availability of and enrollment information for reproductive health services; establishes privacy and disclosure requirements for individual records and information; authorizes civil penalties and civil actions for enforcement and remedy.”

Bottom line, pregnancy care centers will be required to provide information on local abortion clinics to their clients or break the law and face civil penalties and civil actions.

This bill is a battle for survival of the innocent unborn and the pregnancy care centers that advocate for them. View this excellent video we came across the other day.  It’s of a pastor pleading the case of his church.  Part of their church is a Pregnancy Care Center.  Therefore, their church could be forced to promote abortion. Click here to view video. And then, take action!

Please Take Action Immediately.

 Contact each committee member and ask him/her to vote NO on SB501 SD1. Email each committee member and then give them a call. Feel free to call and leave a message after hours.

1. Contact as many legislators as your time allows. Every contact you make counts!  Join the chorus in opposition to this bill.

House Committee on Judiciary:
Rep. Scott Nishimoto, Chair: [email protected] / 586-8515
Rep. Joy San Buenaventura, Vice Chair: [email protected] / 586-6530
Rep. Della Au Belatti: repb[email protected] / 586-9425
Rep. Dee Morikawa: [email protected] / 586-6280
Rep. Marcus R. Oshiro: [email protected] / 586-6700
Rep. Tom Brower: [email protected] / 586-8520
Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson: [email protected] / 586-9470
Rep. Chris Lee: [email protected] / 586-9450
Rep. Mark Nakashima: [email protected] / 586-6680
Rep. Bob McDermott: [email protected]/586-9730
Rep. Cynthia Thielen: [email protected]/ 586-6480

House Committee on Finance
Rep. Sylvia Luke, Chair: [email protected] / 586-6200
Rep. Ty Cullen, Vice Chair: [email protected] / 586-8490
Rep. Romy Cachola: [email protected] / 586-6010
Rep. Isaac Choy: [email protected] / 586-8475
Rep. Lynn DeCoite: [email protected] / 586-6790
Rep. Cedric Gates: [email protected] / 586-8460
Rep. Daniel Holt: [email protected] / 586-6180
Rep. Jarrett Keohokalole: [email protected] / 586-8540
Rep. Bert Kobayashi: [email protected] / 586-6310
Rep. Matthew LoPresti: [email protected] / 586-6080
Rep. Nicole Lowen: [email protected] / 586-8400
Rep. Nadine Nakamura: [email protected] / 586-8435
Rep. Sean Quinlan: [email protected] / 586-6380
Rep. James Tokioka: [email protected] / 586-6270
Rep. Kyle Yamashita: [email protected] / 586-6330
Rep. Andria Tupola: [email protected] / 586-8465
Rep. Gene Ward: [email protected] / 586-6420

2. Please forward this e-alert to friends and family and ask them to pray and take action.

More about SB501 SD1:

• Requires pregnancy care centers to do what is in direct opposition to the centers’ very mission.
• Is an attack on religious freedom.
• Is an attack on free speech.
• Is a “one-way street” that imposes no such requirement on abortion providers to advertise the services of pregnancy care centers.
• Seeks to further the agenda of abortion providers.

Know that this is not a two-way street.  There is no such law in the legislature being considered that requires abortion clinics to give information out about pregnancy care centers.

Please, make your phone calls and send your emails now.  The very survival of pregnancy care centers and therefore the lives they seek to save and minister to depend on it.

Please Pray. Pray for the defeat of SB501 in the House Committee on Health. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16)

For You formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb.  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:13-14a)

For life!

Barbara Ferraro
State Director
[email protected]
hi.cwfa.org

Wilma Youtz
Legislative Liaison
[email protected]

CURRENT STATUS OF SB1129: On March 7, SB 1129 passed the Senate 22-3. It is now in the House. We just got word that it is scheduled for a hearing in the House Committee on Health this Thursday, March 23, at 8:30 a.m. A vote is expected. Click here to read the bill, note its sponsors, and track its status.

SB1129, Death with Dignity, “Establishes a death with dignity act under which a terminally ill adult resident may obtain a prescription for medication to end the patient’s life.”

The Sixth Commandment: “Thou shalt not murder,” (Exodus 20:13).

Please contact the members of the House Committee on Health today!

They can call it “death with dignity,” “medical aid in dying,” or “informed health care decision,” but suicide is still suicide, and murder is still murder — no matter how it’s spun!

Take Action: Contact each member of the House Committee on Health and ask them to vote “NO” on SB1129. Email each member, and then give them a call. Call and leave a message after hours if that works best for you. Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Hawaii.

• Della Au Belatti, Chair: [email protected] / 586-9425
• Bert Kobayashi, Vice Chair: [email protected] / 586-6310
• Sharon E. Har: [email protected] / 586-8504
• Dee Morikawa: [email protected] / 586-6280
• Marcus R. Oshiro: [email protected] / 586-6700
• Chris Todd: [email protected] / 586-8480
• Andrea P.L.: Tupola  [email protected] / 586-8465

 Please Pray:  Please pray that the eyes of these committee members are opened to the reality of this legislation.  Pray SB1129 fails.

 CURRENT STATUS OF HB150, HB201 & HB550: They were referred to the House Committee on Health as well as the House Committee on Judiciary in January and, as of yet, there has been no action. Click on each bill above to read it, note its sponsors, and track its status. The official description of each can be found at the end of this e-alert.

Take Action: If you haven’t already taken action based on our February 14 e-alert, please do so now. Contact the members of each committee and ask them to vote “NO” on HB150, HB201, and HB550. Call and leave a message after hours if that works best for you. Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Hawaii. The House Committee on Heath members are, of course, listed above.  Here are the members of the House Committee on Judiciary:

• Scott Y. Nishimoto: [email protected] / 808-586-8515
• Joy A. San Buenaventura, Vice Chair: [email protected] / 808-586-6530
• Della Au Belatti, Chair: [email protected] / 808-586-9425
• Tom Brower: [email protected] / 808-586-8520
• Aaron Ling Johanson: [email protected] / 808-586-9470
• Chris Lee: [email protected] / 808-586-9450
• Dee Morikawa: [email protected] / 808-586-6280
• Mark M. Nakashima: [email protected] / 808-586-6680
• Marcus R. Oshiro: [email protected] / 808-586-6700
• Bob McDermott: [email protected] / 808-586-9730
• Cynthia Thielen: [email protected] / 808-586-6480

Please Pray: Please pray that the eyes of these committee members are opened to the reality of this legislation. Pray that these bills will remain dead through the end of the 2017 state legislative session.

Here are just some of the many concerns we continue to have about physician-assisted suicide:

• There are not sufficient safeguards against coercion and elder abuse. At least one-in-ten elderly people is the victim of domestic abuse, which is difficult for a health care provider to identify. Because any doctor can write a lethal prescription, an abuser can “doctor shop” until they find a provider willing to assist them in killing their victim.
• Oregon, the first state to legalize assisted suicide, provides the most complete data available on the practice of assisted suicide in the United States. Oregon reports that the dominant reasons motivating patients to choose assisted suicide have nothing to do with pain management. The primary concerns center around having a disability: losing autonomy (92%), being less able to engage in activities making life enjoyable (90%), and losing dignity (79%). Fear of inadequate pain control is one of patients’ least cited reasons.
• Modern medicine has made significant advances in pain control. Doctors now have a range of options to treat pain in terminally ill patients, including even palliative sedation as a last resort.

Though there are many sound academic reasons to oppose physician-assisted suicide, as believers, the most important reason is because God, and God alone, is the author of life.   We cannot take on the role of God and take life based on our inconsistent judgment.

The Official Description of HB150, HB201 & HB550:

• HB150 – End of Life Option Act, “Establishes a person’s ability to choose the End of Life Option when afflicted with a terminal illness; provides safeguards for the affected person; and repeals penalties for participating in the End of Life Option Act.”
• HB201 – Death with Dignity; Aid in Dying; Patient Choice; Physicians, “Allows a terminally ill adult with the capacity to make an informed healthcare decision to request a prescription for aid in dying medication from their attending physician to facilitate a peaceful death. Ensures that physicians who assist patients in obtaining aid in dying medication are not subject to civil or criminal liability.”
• HB550 – Death with Dignity, “Authorizes terminally ill adults seeking to end their life to request lethal doses of medication from medical and osteopathic physicians.”

We don’t understand why God allows pain and suffering, but we know God is good; God is love, and His ways are higher than ours.  God has appointed a time for each of us to be born and to die.  He is with us in all things and has a purpose for every situation that comes our way. God has a plan for each and every one of us.

Please do all you can to support God’s gift to us: life.

Barbara Ferraro
State Director
CWA of Hawaii
P.O. Box 10732
Hilo, HI 96721
[email protected]
hi.cwfa.org
808-965-9834

Wilma Youtz
Legislative Liaison
CWA of Hawaii
[email protected]