Rep. Barker presents Act 461 to the Arkansas House of Representatives on March 22, 2021.
On Monday Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a law requiring students participating in school athletics to compete according to their biological sex.
The law is slated to take effect in Texas in January.
Texas’ new law is very similar to a law that the Arkansas Legislature passed earlier this year: Act 461 of 2021.
Act 461 of 2021 is a good law by Sen. Missy Irvin (R — Mountain View) and Rep. Sonia Barker (R — Smackover). It prevents male student athletes from competing against girls in women’s athletics. This protects fairness in women’s sports at school.
Act 461 passed with strong support from Arkansas’ legislature.
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson signed it into law last March, and it took full effect last July.
Letting biological males who identify as female compete against girls can rob female student athletes of opportunities for scholarships. In some sports, it can even be dangerous.
It’s good to see states like Texas and Arkansas take a stand to defend fairness in women’s sports.
Above: Russellville Mayor Richard Harris (left) with Family Council staff member Ken Yang.
On Thursday night the Russellville City Council voted 5-3 to pass a resolution affirming that it is a Pro-Life City and a sanctuary for the unborn.
Russellville is the thirteenth Pro-Life municipality in Arkansas.
The resolution reads,
A Resolution to Make the City of Russellville, Arkansas, a “Sanctuary City For The Unborn”, and for Other Purposes.
WHEREAS, the Russellville City Council believes that denying the right to life of a created being is to deny liberty, the pursuit of happiness and all other unalienable rights; and,
WHEREAS, the Russellville City Council places the highest value on each individual’s right to life; and,
WHEREAS, the Russellville City Council believes, therefore, that the policy of the City of Russellville, Arkansas, is to promote and protect the dignity and humanity of all persons at all stages of life from conception to natural death.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RUSSELLVILLE, ARKANSAS, THAT:
SECTION 1: The City of Russellville, Arkansas, hereby recognizes and designates itself as a “Pro-Life” City as authorized by Act 392 of 2021.
SECTION 2: The City of Russellville, Arkansas hereby designates, henceforth, that its policy will be to promote and protect the dignity and humanity of all persons at all stages of life from conception until natural death.
Arkansas has seen a rapid expansion of pro-life resolutions passed at the local level this year.
Earlier this year the Arkansas Legislature passed Act 392 of 2021 by Rep. Kendon Underwood (R – Cave Springs) and Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R – Branch). This excellent law affirms that cities, towns, and counties in Arkansas can designate themselves as Pro-Life.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that municipalities can adopt pro-life policy positions. Any city, town, or county can pass a pro-life resolution like the ones that these communities have passed.
We know from public opinion polling that the vast majority of Arkansans believe abortion ought to be either completely illegal or legal only under certain circumstances. With that in mind, it makes sense that communities in Arkansas would vote to affirm that they are Pro-Life.
We look forward to future communities passing their own resolutions declaring that they are Pro-Life — just like the City of Russellville and these other municipalities have done.
If you would like to learn more about how you can pass a pro-life resolution in your community, give us a call at (501) 375-7000 or click here.
