National Pro-Life Religious Council to Bestow Awards at Jan. 23 Service in Capitol Visitors Center

Contact: Leslie Palma, Priests for Life, 347-286-7277

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- The 18th annual National Memorial for the Pre-Born and Their Mothers and Fathers will take place from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 23 in Room HVC 201 of the Capitol Visitors Center.

The National Pro-Life Religious Council (NPRC) will present its annual Pro-Life Recognition Award to Chris Slattery, founder of EMC Frontline Pregnancy Centers, and Karolyn Schrage, executive director of Life Choices in Joplin, Mo.

Kelly Clinger, a recording artist and spokeswoman for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, and Tony Melendez, a guitar player who was born without arms and plays with his feet, will perform.

During the service, Priests for Life and Gospel of Life will also announce a Pro-life Award for Victoria Hearst, founder of Praise Him Ministries in Colorado.

The National Conference for the Pre-Born and Their Mothers and Fathers was founded in 1994 by Rev. Rob Schenck of Faith and Action and Fr. Paul C.B. Schenck of the National Pro-Life Center on Capitol Hill. It is the only pro-life prayer service convened on the U.S. capitol complex. Additional sponsors include the National Clergy Council, National Pro-Life Radio and National Pro-Life Center.

This year's honorees are involved in providing alternatives to abortion.

Slattery launched Expectant Mother Care-EMC FrontLine Pregnancy Centers in mid-town Manhattan in 1984. It was New York City's first crisis pregnancy center and remains the largest network of pregnancy help centers in the tri-state area.

He pioneered the use of onsite ultrasound and pre-natal care in a crisis center, and introduced 3D and 4D ultrasound in lifesaving work when the technology became available. He also pioneered using mobile ultrasounds with sidewalk counseling teams outside abortion clinics in major cities.

Mrs. Schrage, a registered nurse, worked as a medical missionary in Kenya for more than 20 years. She and her husband, Mike, produced a film addressing unplanned pregnancy issues in East Africa. The film was translated into eight languages and has been shown in many African countries.

In 2003, Mrs. Schrage and her family moved back to the United States, where she joined the LifeChoices medical team. LifeChoices Medical Clinic and 4U Testing Clinic in Joplin, Mo., provide confidential, compassionate medical services for individuals facing a sexual health crisis or unplanned pregnancy. LifeChoices works in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control to reduce the sexually transmitted disease epidemic in the USA.

"Pregnancy centers are on the front lines of the war against abortion," said Father Frank Pavone, President of the National Pro-life Religious Council. "Chris and Karolyn recognized this and decided to focus their considerable energies and talents to inspire young with the courage to love and to choose life. The National Pro-Life Religious Council salutes these pro-life heroes."

Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro-life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.

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