School Superintendent Supports Planned Parenthood

by: Family Foundation of Virginia                                                                Vol. XV, No. 6, Jun/Jul 2002

Parents of children who attend public schools in the Richmond City School District don't have to wonder where their superintendent stands on the issues of abortion and sex education. Albert J. Williams, Ed.D, was the keynote speaker at the Planned Parenthood fund-raiser in Richmond. The Virginia League for Planned Parenthood has titled their 62nd Annual Dinner, "Celebrate Knowledge."

There is some "knowledge," however, that Planned Parenthood would probably prefer you not know. For example:

1. In 2000, more than 98 percent of women seeking counseling from Planned Parenthood clinics around the nation ended their pregnancies with abortion. In other words, there were 80 abortions performed for every adoption referral.

2. The organization performed almost 200,000 abortions in 2000, at an average of $350 each. That means Planned Parenthood took in approximately $70 million for abortions.

3. For the fourth consecutive year, adoption referrals at Planned Parenthood decreased. One must wonder if Planned Parenthood is interested in the well-being of the women who come to them for help, or if profits are driving their counseling.

4. The Richmond chapter of planned parenthood averages 23 abortions per week.

5. Planned Parenthood Vision for 2025 Goal One: "Planned Parenthood will ensure that sexuality is understood as an essential lifelong aspect of being human, and that it is celebrated with respect, openness, and mutuality." Note that Planned Parenthood's view of sexuality is that it is lifelong. Therefore, children should understand and be exposed to sexuality as young as possible. Goal One goes on to show the Netherlands as the model. In the Netherlands, sex education begins in PRESCHOOL! (To view Planned Parenthood's plan for our nation just click http://www.plannedparenthood.org/vision2025/goals.html)

Obviously, it is extremely inappropriate and inexcusable that Superintendent Williams would attend, much less address, Planned Parenthood's event. It is an outright endorsement of their positions on abortion and sex education, and sends a clear message to the children and families that attend Richmond public schools that the values they hold dear are irrelevant to him. His alignment with their philosophy and practices begs the question, who is really driving the decision making on curriculum, teacher hiring, and the overall direction of the Richmond school system?

ACTION: Parents of children who are in the Richmond City School District, please call Superintendent Williams to express concern over his involvement with Planned Parenthood. His number is 804-780-7700.

FAMILY FOUNDATION OF VIRGINIA, One Capitol Square 830 East Main Street, Suite 1201 Richmond, VA 23219, Phone: 804-343-0010, Fax: 804-343-0050 www.familyfoundation.org/