Choose Life (organization)

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Choose Life, Inc. is an American pro-life organization based in Ocala, Florida.[1] It was founded in 1997 by Randy Harris, Commissioner of Marion County, after he got an idea to use specialty license plates as a way to raise funds for promoting adoption over abortion while stuck in traffic.[2] The plates feature the phrase "Choose Life", a slogan used by the pro-life movement, and a child art-like drawing of two children.[2]

In 1997, Choose Life, Inc. collected the 10,000 signatures and US$30,000 required under Florida law at the time to submit an application for a new specialty plate, and State Senator Tom Lee sponsored a bill in support of the tag's creation.[2] The bill passed both houses of the Florida Legislature in early 1998, but was vetoed by then-Governor Lawton Chiles, who stated that license plates are not the "proper forum for debate" on political issues.[2][3] While campaigning for the governorship later in 1998, Jeb Bush stated that, if elected, he would pass the legislation.[2] Choose Life, Inc. went forward with the plate application again, and, after passing both houses, Governor Bush signed it into law on June 8, 1999.[2][4][5] Since then, Choose Life, Inc. has been active in helping groups in other states pursue "Choose Life" license plates.[6][7] 17 states currently have such plates available.[8]

"Choose Life" license plates have come under criticism from pro-choice organizations, who have argued that in authorizing them, but not offering plates conveying a pro-choice message at the same time, states have carried out viewpoint discrimination.[9][10] To this charge Russ Amerling, Choose Life, Inc.'s publicity coordinator, has replied, "[pro-choice groups] have just as much right to have a plate as we do, as long as they go through the administrative process we did".[7]

Choose Life, Inc. is a non-profit organization, funded by donations and the sale of promotional items, such as t-shirts and neckties.[7] In Florida, a specialty license plate costs US$20 per year, with proceeds being distributed to organizations that provide adoption services to women with unplanned pregnancies.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Palmer, Alyson M. (April 6, 2006). "'Choose Life' License Tag May Hit a Bump in the Road." Fulton County Daily Report. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Gielow Jacobs, Leslie. (2001). Free Speech and the Limits of Legislative Discretion: The Example of Specialty License Plates. Florida Law Review, 53 (3), 419-432.
  3. ^ Lithwick, Dahlia. (February 6, 2003). "Poetic Licenses." Slate. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  4. ^ "Florida approves `Choose Life' license plate." (Nov 24, 1999). The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  5. ^ Olszonowicz, Deborah. (September 1999). Motor Vehicle Registration and License Plates. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  6. ^ Burge, Kathleen. (May 5, 2006). "Driving force." Boston Globe. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  7. ^ a b c Madigan, Erin. (November 25, 2002). "Choose Life Car Tags Spark Debate." Stateline.org. Retrieved June 24, 2007.
  8. ^ Guttmacher Institute. (December 1, 2006). 'Choose Life' License Plates. State Policies in Brief. Retrieved January 4, 2007
  9. ^ Hurst, Sarah E. (2003). A One Way Street to Unconstitutionality: The “Choose Life” Specialty License Plate. Ohio State Law Journal, 64 (3), 957-998. Retrieved June 24, 2007.
  10. ^ The Center for Reproductive Rights. (August 2002). "Choose Life" License Plates. Retrieved June 24, 2007.

[edit] External links

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