Contact: Dr. Elizabeth B. Rex, President, Children First Foundation (CFF), 877-386-3236
MEDIA ADVISORY, Nov. 15 /Christian Newswire/ -- Governor Spitzer has decided to drop his illegal immigrant driver license program due to public pressure and potential lawsuits. Now it's time for the governor to drop his opposition to another "license" problem at the DMV: the approval of the New York "Choose Life" license plate that has been blocked by the DMV – at taxpayers' expense -- for three long years.
The "Choose Life" license plate was first requested by The Children First Foundation (CFF) back in December, 2001, to help raise awareness and funding for the Adoption Option as a positive choice for unplanned pregnancies. The pro-adoption plate carries a childlike drawing of two smiling children and the words "Choose life" as if written by a child. "Choose Life" plates have been approved in 17 other states, including Connecticut, and have been purchased by more than 60,000 motorists. Nationwide, the plate has raised over $8 million to help desperate women choose life and consider adoption for an unintended pregnancy.
Even though the DMV in New York has approved hundreds of specialty plates for very diverse organizations and causes including political labor unions like the AFL-CIO and religious organizations like the Knights of Columbus, under Governor Pataki the DMV repeatedly rejected CFF's plate claiming that the plate was "patently offensive." The problem escalated in August, 2004, when the DMV issued an indefinite moratorium on the approval of all new specialty license plates in New York. For the past three years, the DMV's unresolved moratorium has effectively blocked the issuance of every other specialty plate including the "9/11 Remembrance" Plate, the "Cure Childhood Cancer" Plate, the "Survivor of the Bravest" Plate (for the families of fallen firefighters) as well as countless other worthy New York specialty license plates.
It is unquestionably "patently offensive" that the DMV under both Governor Pataki and under Governor Spitzer would rather veto and block New York's "9/11 Remembrance" Plate rather than allow the issuance of CFF's New York "Choose Life" Plate. It is time to demand that Governor Spitzer immediately address and resolve this remaining DMV "license" problem in New York.
Albany politicians on both sides of the aisle should be equally appalled at the enormous waste of taxpayers' money that has already been spent trying to dismiss CFF's legitimate federal lawsuit to protect its 1st and 14th Amendment civil liberties. As concerned New York citizens, we should once again contact all of our politicians and ask them to show their strong, bi-partisan support not only for the courageous and positive choice of Adoption in New York State, but also for freedom of speech, due process and equal treatment for all New Yorkers, even those with whom they may disagree.
Governor Spitzer has just strongly condemned "hyperpartisanship" in New York State and the Nation. He must now demonstrate his leadership with his actions, not just his words. It's time for him to walk the walk.
Children First Foundation is dedicated to promoting and supporting Adoption as a positive choice for unwanted pregnancies and newborns.
