“John Bel Edwards lives his values every day.”  That is what we were promised in a touching campaign spot for Louisiana’s newly elected governor assuring that Edwards is pro-life and lives out those values every day.

Fast forward past that historic election and into the early stages of the administration’s governance and most would assume that Edwards’ pro-life values would translate into commensurate staff choices. As the old saying goes, “Personnel is policy.” Unfortunately, that appears to not be happening here.

First, consider the pick for Speaker of the House. Instead of supporting the 100% pro-life candidate with impeccable pro-life credentials, JBE may force a floor fight as the first act of the House in an effort to secure a “pro-choice” legislator, Walt Leger, as Speaker of the House for the most pro-life state in the nation.

This past Tuesday, JBE announced his pick for the Secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH).  Without question, this position is essential to protecting Louisiana’s pro-life standing. After all, it is DHH that has investigated Planned Parenthood of the Gulf Coast’s alleged practice of harvesting and trafficking for profit the broken bodies of unborn children. It is DHH that has barred Planned Parenthood from receiving state tax dollars and from opening a new abortion supercenter in New Orleans. DHH is also responsible for promulgating rules under which abortion facilities must operate.

It is concerning that Edwards’ pick for DHH Secretary, Dr. Rebekah Gee, is a close friend and ally of Planned Parenthood and the National Abortion Rights Action League.

Dr. Gee has an alarming resume. In 2006, she was one of three women who complained to the Massachusetts Pharmacy Board that Walmart was not stocking the abortifacient “morning after pill.” That legal complaint resulted in Walmart being forced to stock the controversial drug.

Other reports say that Dr. Gee has served on the national Planned Parenthood board. According to her official LSU Curriculum Vitae, Dr. Gee served on the Obama for America campaign as a co-chair on “women’s health issues.” Click here for additional information.

Do these actions mean that JBE has forsaken his pledged support for life? Will Louisiana’s litigation against Planned Parenthood cease? Will Dr. Gee pave the way for a new abortion supercenter in New Orleans? And will abortionists and abortion facilities have a friend in the JBE Administration? I certainly hope not, and JBE needs to hear from the pro-life community about our concerns with these personnel decisions.

January is the month Pro-Life Louisiana sets aside to commemorate the infamous Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in all 50 states. On Wednesday January 13th, churches and believers from across Louisiana will gather with Franklin Graham to pray for our government, our leaders, and specifically Gov. Edwards. I hope JBE will join us for this historic moment… with good news!  We too must live by this Honor Code: “I will not lie, cheat, or tolerate those who do.” 
Either privately or publicly!