U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood shares a lighter moment with the record crowd at the 38th annual Respect Life Dinner on Oct. 6 at Barrack's Cater Inn in Peoria. LaHood, who represents Illinois' 18th Congressional District, called legal abortion "a scar on America." (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

A member of the U.S. Congress warned a record crowd at the 38th Respect Life Dinner in Peoria on Oct. 6 of “disturbing trends” on the national level and challenged the pro-life community to have “uncomfortable conversations” with family members and others who might think differently on the abortion issue.

“It’s easy when we’re in a room like this,” said U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-18th) to the 185 people who crowded into Barrack’s Cater Inn for the annual fundraising dinner for area pro-life efforts, including the Family Resources Center.

“But it’s hard when you have to leave and talk to somebody passionately about why you’re pro-life . . . and why, in this country — the greatest country in the world — people shouldn’t be disposable,” said LaHood, the evening’s keynote speaker.

Those discussions are becoming more difficult because of how “media elites and far-left Democrats” often “diminish and slander” pro-lifers as extremists who “don’t deserve a voice.”

“We’re up against some real headwinds,” said LaHood, saying the intention of the mischaracterization is to cut off debate. But the real pro-life movement, he added, is comprised of “people that are passionately devoted to the dignity of every human being” and who care deeply about women in need.

ADVOCATE, EDUCATE, PERSUADE

Another disturbing trend, said LaHood, is how “off the charts” the Democrats running for president have gone on the abortion issue, becoming “indistinguishable” in their advocacy for “abortion anytime, anywhere, for any reason and free.”

Saying that stand is out of the mainstream of American life, he cited polls that show a majority of Americans oppose unrestricted abortion after the first trimester.

Erin Earl (left) and Maddi Cave, co-presidents of Peoria Notre Dame’s Teens for Life Club, explained the activities of their organization and introduced the keynote speaker at the Respect Life Dinner. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

“We live in a society where we know abortion is morally wrong, ethically wrong, religiously wrong, but it’s not legally wrong. It’s incumbent on us as policymakers and everyone in this room to stand up, to advocate, to educate, and to be persuasive,” said LaHood, listing several pro-life legislative efforts he has sponsored or supports.

LaHood said he recently met with Attorney General William Barr to request the Department of Justice assist in the investigation of the “appalling” discovery of more than 2,200 fetal remains in the home a deceased abortionist near Joliet.

Claiming he “couldn’t be more strong” in his pro-life views, LaHood said his beliefs are rooted in his Catholic faith and also the fact that three of his best friends since youth were adopted in the years just prior to legal abortion in the U.S.  All three are now parents and successful in business.

“What if they never got to live the life that they have here today?” he asked. “How many others are out there that never had the life they should have?”

OTHER SPEAKERS

LaHood was introduced by Erin Earl and Maddi Cave, co-presidents of Peoria Notre Dame’s Teens for Life Club. Earl said the group totals 200 members and described the events and organizations the club supports, including attending the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. “We know we are the pro-life generation, and that we will be the ones to end abortion,” she said.

The annual dinner also included updates on that day’s Peoria Life Chain and the 40 Days for Life campaign now underway; a welcome from Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis; music by Robert Eckert; an invocation by Father Frank Dunaway of the Anglican Diocese of Quincy and a closing prayer by Father John Bosco Mujuni, pastor of St. John XXIII Parish in Henry and Immaculate Conception Parish in Lacon.

Pete and Jan Smith, who co-founded the Family Resources Center with the late Father John Dietzen, acknowledged and thanked the record crowd as well as Suzie Meismer, who now directs the center.

This marked the first year that Charles Owens of Henry, who annually lines up speakers for the event, has not served as master of ceremonies. He handed that duty over to Paul Thomas Moore, a columnist for The Catholic Post.