5.6.09--Women who rose to the challenge of an unexpected pregnancy, and their children saved by the compassionate work of pregnancy centers, joined Heartbeat’s second Babies Go to Congress™ event in Washington D.C. today.  This group, which included four babies, visited seven U.S. Representatives and three U.S. Senators to share a simple yet profound message: “Pregnancy centers are good for America.”

Many women who come into a pregnancy center have been abused and abandoned. Some of the unexpectedly pregnant are jobless, without the resources they need to take care of themselves and a new baby.  Some are even homeless.  But pregnancy centers are there to help.  Families and the future of our country are strengthened by the life-saving work of pregnancy centers.

“Members of Congress need to hear from the women we serve.  I am grateful they have such positive things to say about pregnancy center help,” said Heartbeat President Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D.  “Children are America’s greatest natural resource, and our elected officials need to preserve the bond between mother and child.”

The women who participate in Heartbeat’s Babies Go to Congress event are often left with a sense of empowerment found from the experience of sharing how God brought something so wonderful out of something so difficult.  An added benefit from this event is that the women’s stories inspire Congress, Heartbeat staff, and others to help more women.

Pregnancy centers are building strong families by uniting thousands of individuals who fund the pregnancy centers and who volunteer to help women. Heartbeat’s network of community-based pregnancy centers saves approximately 2,000 babies a week from abortion. This compassionate network utilizes more than 25,000 volunteers and receives roughly $125 million each year in charitable donations.

Heartbeat has been inspired to make Babies Go to Congress a quarterly event. Our next event will be held in mid-July.  If you are a woman who has been served by a Heartbeat pregnancy center during the past 40 years, and wish to share your story on Capitol Hill, please contact Virginia Cline for details.