For Immediate Release: January 11, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
SD Governor Serves as Pro-Life Example for GOP Leaders
Pierre, SD – In her sixth year as governor, Kristi Noem will be continuing pro-life efforts to protect babies and serve mothers. Today Gov. Noem issued a proclamation declaring 2024 as Freedom For Life Year in South Dakota, saying life is precious beginning at conception and calling attention to the crucial first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
Noem in her State of the State Address on Tuesday explained the meaning behind today’s proclamation:
“In order to live a healthy life, we must first have the freedom to get off to the right start. That freedom extends to every single South Dakotan – before they are born; after they are born; until the day they die. Later this week, I will proclaim that 2024 will be ‘Freedom for Life Year’ in South Dakota. . . Being pro-life means valuing the child’s life before their birth and throughout their life; it also means valuing and protecting that mother’s life.”
In the speech, Noem highlighted the South Dakota Bright Start program which her administration recently expanded to more communities. The program serves moms and babies from pregnancy until the child’s second birthday. The governor also highlighted Life.SD.gov, a site her office launched the day the Dobbs decision came down to provide resources for pregnant women, new parents and adoption.
Kelsey Pritchard, state public affairs director for SBA Pro-Life America, thanked Noem for her continued dedication to the pro-life cause:
“Gov. Kristi Noem continues to be a model of how to lead compassionately on the issue of life. Understanding that being pro-life means advocating for both mothers and babies, she rolled out a website to connect more pregnant women with resources the day the Dobbs decision came down. She has also expanded Bright Start to serve more moms and signed a law protecting women from abortion coercion. We thank Gov. Noem for all of her pro-life work so far and for recognizing that we’re not done yet.
“We need those running for office in 2024 to be as strong as Kristi Noem is on life. Noem along with governors like Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Tate Reeves, Brian Kemp and Mike DeWine won their elections with strong pro-life records and by boldly standing for life. Republicans win on this issue when they provide clarity, express compassion and expose the Democrats who want no limits on abortion whatsoever.”
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is a network of more than one million pro-life Americans nationwide, dedicated to ending abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders.
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