Above: Family Council President Jerry Cox testifies in favor of Pulaski County’s Pro-Life Resolution. The quorum court chose to table the resolution instead of passing it at Tuesday’s meeting.

On Tuesday evening the Pulaski County Quorum Court tabled a proposed resolution that would have affirmed that the county is Pro-Life.

Pulaski County is the largest county in Arkansas, with a population of 397,821 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Last year the Arkansas Legislature enacted Act 392 of 2021 by Rep. Kendon Underwood (R – Cave Springs) and Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R – Branch) affirming that cities and counties can designate themselves as Pro-Life.

Act 392 also says that Pro-Life Communities can install signs or banners announcing that they are Pro-Life.

To date, Benton, Washington, Crawford, Cleburne, Pope, Jackson, Saline, Faulkner, Perry, Sebastian, Lee, White, PrairieSearcyCarrolNewtonBooneHot SpringMadison, and Fulton counties have adopted Pro-Life resolutions.

Pro-Life Cities in Arkansas include MariannaRussellvilleSpringdaleLaGrangeMoroAubrey, Haynes, MarshallWestern GroveLeslieTontitownJasperBryant, and Lowell.

Unfortunately, the Pulaski County Quorum Court failed to affirm that it is a Pro-Life County on Tuesday night.

Pulaski County’s proposed pro-life resolution read,

A RESOLTUION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY AFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT OF THE COUNTY TO PROTECTING THE UNALIENABLE RIGHT TO LIFE OF EVERY PERSON; AND DECLARING THE COUNTY OF PULASKI, ARKANSAS TO BE A PRO-LIFE COUNTY.

WHEREAS, the Declaration of Independence declares that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, including the right to life; and

WHEREAS, Amendment 68 to the Arkansas Constitution states that the policy of the State of Arkansas is to protect the life of every unborn child from conception until birth; and

WHEREAS, it is the duty of state and local governments to protect the unalienable right to life of every person within their respective jurisdictions; and

WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court stated in Poelker v. Doe, 432 U.S. 519 (1977), that the United States Constitution does not forbid a municipality, pursuant to democratic processes, from expressing a preference for normal childbirth instead of abortion;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Quorum Court of the County of Pulaski, Arkansas, that:

1) It is the policy of the County of Pulaski to promote and protect the dignity and humanity of all persons at all stages of life from conception until natural death.

2) The County of Pulaski declares itself to be a Pro-Life County.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade means state and local government are now fully free to affirm that they oppose abortion and support life.

More than ever, citizens and their elected officials need to establish exactly where they stand on the issue of abortion.

Public opinion polling shows most Arkansans believe abortion ought to be either completely illegal or permitted only under certain circumstances.

The Arkansas Legislature has prohibited abortion except to save the life of the mother. Recent polling indicates that a majority of likely voters do not think the law should be changed to make it easier to get an abortion.

We hope Pulaski County — and every other county in Arkansas — will someday choose to stand for life.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.