Brother Knights,
Because we believe we are created in the image of God, we hold life to be sacred from conception to natural death. We believe that we are stewards—not owners—of our lives. As this year begins we need to concentrate our efforts supporting life. With the present Legislature, we have an excellent opportunity to advance an agenda of life over death.
The California legislature began its 2015-2016 session with 10 new Senators (out of 40) and 27 new members of the Assembly (out of 80.)
Fully one-third of the members are new or moving from one legislative office to another. The big turnover is the result of voter-approved term-limit rules that allow lawmakers to spend more time in one house rather that jumping between Assembly and State Senate districts.
New leaders include Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), Senate President Pro Tempore; Tony Atkins (D-San Diego), Speaker of the Assembly; Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar), Senate Minority Leader; and Kristin Olson, (R-Modesto), Assembly Minority Leader.
Legislation will be introduced once the legislature gets down to business during the month of January. I urge each of you to take some time to educate the Legislature on our point of view – that being on acts generated from love.
John 13:34-35:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Remember that St. John Paul II called on all Catholic faithful to bear witness to the Gospel of Life and to build the “civilization of life and love”. In keeping with this mission and our Order’s Catholic principles of charity, unity, and fraternity, the Knights of Columbus stands strong in its conviction that every human life is a gift of God, endowed with certain inalienable rights—the first among these being the right to life. Even in the midst of difficulties and uncertainties, we believe that human life is sacred and inviolable, and ought to be defended with maximum determination.
Let us stand together in this mission of nurturing a culture of life.
God Bless,
Hector Garcia
Culture of Life Director