Tom Joined Pro-Life Leaders in Virtual March for Life

Today, tens of thousands of pro-life supporters gathered in Washington, D.C. for the 37th Annual March for Life and State Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ranger), Republican candidate for Congress in Georgia's 9th District, joined tens of thousands more online in the Virtual March for Life.  

"Life is so very precious and the protection of innocent life is a very important issue to my family and me," said Graves.  "As I've said numerous times, the reason I became involved in politics today was a result of the life issue.  Congress needs leaders who are committed to advancing policies that protect and preserve innocent life and I've done just that for the last nine years.  In Congress, the pro-life community will have no stronger ally than me when I am elected."

Graves joined several other pro-life leaders, including Senator Jim DeMint, Governor Mike Huckabee, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, Rep. Jeb Hensarling, Rep. Tom Price, and Rep. Mike Pence, as leaders Marching for Life.

"The Virtual March for Life is an amazing idea that encompasses new technology to allows those in the pro-life community who cannot be in Washington, D.C. today to stand up for life and be heard," added Graves.  "I encourage all of those in Georgia's 9th District to join me in today's Virtual March for Life and am honored to be a leader Marching for Life."

The first ever Virtual March for Life is organized by Americans United for Life (AUL), an organization assisting pro-life advocates across the country in creating avatars to join the Virtual March. As of this morning, more than 65,000 Americans had signed up for the Virtual March on the AUL website.

In June 2009, Graves became the first candidate in the race to sign the Georgia Right to Life PAC Principles Candidate Affirmation Statement, stating his support of life from conception to natural death, the ethical treatment of human embryos and the Human Life Amendment.

Last year, Georgia Right to Life President Dan Becker said, "What is unique about Tom and his wife Julie is that they were engaged in protecting the innocent unborn before ever entering the political arena.  Tom's support isn't politically convenient and Georgia Right to Life knows his commitment is genuine.  Not only was his first speech from the House well in support of the unborn, but he has been a consistent advocate for pro-life policies in the Georgia House of Representatives.  Georgia Right to Life is confident that Tom Graves will continue to fight for the rights of the innocent unborn in Washington."

In 2001, Graves supported his wife Julie as she founded and became President of the Gordon County Chapter of Georgia Right to Life.  The Graves joined with churches throughout the community in opposition to an announced abortion clinic.  Through their efforts and Divine intervention, the abortion clinic never opened.

A year later Graves successfully won a seat to the Georgia House of Representatives and he joined with State Rep. James Mills (R-Gainesville) and others to co-author the "Woman's Right to Know" and "Sonogram" legislation, which provides mothers with more information about their pregnancy and the options to abortion.

Graves is also co-author of Georgia's Human Life Amendment, which is a state constitutional amendment that defines life from conception to natural death.