Choose Life License Plate Program Launched Statewide

Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Pro-Life Pro-Adoption License Plate

By Kristina G. Twitty

After a three year legal battle brought on by Choose Life of Missouri to establish a “Choose Life” license plate in Missouri, the pro-life community can finally claim victory! “It’s wonderful that Missouri now has the Choose Life license plate!  I am sure that all pro-life and pro-adoption Missourians will enjoy proclaiming the Choose Life message on their car!  I know I will!” said, Phyllis Schlafly, Founder and President of Eagle Forum.

On May 1st of this year the Choose Life license plate was unveiled in Jefferson City and the plate program was launched statewide at www.IM4IT.org. The plate program will help support pro-life efforts in Missouri, pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes and adoption agencies.

With the support of a small group of pro-life family and friends, Kevin M. Roach, Founder and President of Choose Life of Missouri, set out to secure a Choose Life plate for Missouri. He began working on the license plate effort by gathering support from members of the state legislature, community activists, raising funds, and raising awareness. When he submitted the license plate application to the Missouri Department of Revenue in June 2005, 43 legislators had signed on as supporters of the application, both Senators and Representatives and from both sides of the aisle, and the funds had been raised. The application came before an administrative committee, and needed unanimous support to gain approval. However, pro-abortion members of the panel, exercising their ‘personal objection’ to the “Choose Life” message, objected to the pro-life, pro-adoption license plate. On June 1, 2006, Choose Life of Missouri filed suit in US District Court against the State of Missouri arguing numerous US Constitutional violations on the part of Missouri.

In January, the US District Court ruled in favor of Choose Life of Missouri. At the eleventh hour, pro-abortion Attorney General, Jay Nixon appealed the Choose Life victory to the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals in a last-ditch attempt to prevent the plate from being made available. On March 25th, the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals cleared the way for the Choose Life plate to become available for the Missouri pro-life community.

“The new ‘Choose Life’ license plate is a statement of beauty beautifully made because it reflects God’s heart and manner of speaking - to be salt without assaulting.  May many Missourians add this plate to their seasoning rack as a means by which God may flavor our culture to affirm the sanctity of human life!” said Rev. Douglas W. Merkey, President, Churches for Life.

“A CBS Poll, Oct. 16, 2007, found that 54% of Americans take a Pro-Life position on abortion.  Now with the ‘Choose Life’ license plate, the will of the people can be expressed, complying with what is engraved on Missouri’s Capitol dome, “The will of the people is the supreme law.”’ stated William J. Federer, author & national commentator.

Before the plates can hit the street 200 plates must be pre-ordered through Choose Life of Missouri at www.IM4IT.org. So now it’s up to life-loving Missourians to purchase the plate and spread the word to friends and family!

If your plates expire soon, that’s OK! Renew them (through the DMV) just like you always have. Then you can purchase a Choose Life plate at www.IM4IT.org and the state will exchange them for you when the Choose Life plates are made.

To purchase a plate or for more information, visit: www.IM4IT.org. You can also email Choose Life Missouri, Inc. at contact@chooselifemissouri.org or call (314) 889-5900.

Kristina G. Twitty is the Founder and Chair of the Kirk Life Team at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church and serves on the board of directors for Choose Life of Missouri, Inc. She has worked in public policy, campaigns and for pro-life causes at a state and national level since 1996 and makes her home in Ballwin, Missouri.