The Pre-Roe Pro-Life Movement in Minnesota and New York

preoccupied with death, not life and with self-centeredness not service, the ACCL stands
for a more compelling tradition: protection of all human life, compassion for the unborn
and the aged, caring for the helpless and the handicapped. As we search for that dimly
perceived goal of justice, the ACCL can well serve as a compass for our conscience.” 46
Congressman James Oberstar of Minnesota deemed ACCL’s programs “the way to wage
the battle” to pass the Human Life Amendment. In fact, many legislators, Republicans
and Democrats alike (provided they were against abortion), praised ACCL’s efforts in
Congress. 47 In tune with these sentiments, ACCL attained much success at the turn of the
decade in promoting, lobbying for, and testifying on social welfare legislation offering
alternatives to abortion, including an “adolescent pregnancy bill, pregnancy disability
benefits bill, and maternal and child health legislation,” which were all eventually
passed. 48 By 1981, the group boasted a congressional advisory committee and over 3,500
contributors in all fifty states. 49
46 Eunice Kennedy Shriver, quoted in ACCL Pamphlet, ACCL Records, Box 15, Folder:
Mailings/Pamphlets, Gerald R. Ford Library.
47 Senator Mark O’Hatfield (R-Ore.) said, “I continue to rely heavily on the sound judgment of
those involved with ACCL and appreciate especially their commitment to work for alternatives to
abortion,” Representative John Breaux (D-La. 7) asserted, “ACCL’s approach to the legislative battle on
abortion is the best way the message can be delivered to Congress. It is a nation al effort that I find many
Members of Congress agree with. I’m looking forward to working with you and other members of the
organization during this 95 th Congress,” and Representative Albert H. Quie (R-Minn. 1) said, “It was truly
a pleasure to work with ACCL during the 94 th Congress. Your cause is vital; your knowledge, thorough;
and your politics, savvy. In looking at the 94 th Congress, the most important pro-life item was the seven
days of hearings on constitutional solutions to the Supreme Court’s decisions. It was only through the
efforts of ACCL that the hearings were able to be organized so the greatest impact could be made…[I]f
ACCL’s approach to the problem can be spread, I feel the cause in the end will be successful.” All quoted
in “Praise from civic leaders for the work of American Citizens Concerned for Life…,” ACCL Records,
Box 15, Folder: Letters Re: ACCL Organization from Late 1974, Gerald R. Ford Library.
48 “Some Accomplishments of American Citizens Concerned For Life,” handout, ACCL Records,
Box 17, Folder: ACCL Admin File: Programs – Accomplishments Jan 1981, Gerald R. Ford Library.
49 “American Citizens Concerned for Life 1981-1982 Campaign for Human Life Objectives,” page
2, ACCL Records, Box 29, Folder: ACCL Admin File: Fundraising, Gerald R. Ford Library; and William
C. Hunt, American Citizens Concerned for Life 1981-1982 Campaign for Human Life Objectives,
December 1981, ACCL Records, Box 29, Folder: ACCL Admin File: Fundraising, Gerald R. Ford Library.
Note: Hunt estimated “we need at least 25,000 [members] to continue our task,” perhaps highlighting the
dim prospects for antiabortion success in the 1980s.
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