PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATTENTION ASSIGNMENT EDITOR

23 August 1999

DAYTON, OHIO BECOMES FLASHPOINT IN ABORTION BATTLE

"Through a series of events that could only have been orchestrated by God Himself, Dayton, Ohio has become the focal point in our nation’s battle over abortion." Said Rev. Flip Benham, National Director of Operation Rescue.

Martin Haskell, the originator of the partial-birth abortion procedure, offices in Dayton and has botched two abortions recently. One child lived for three hours and then died in the arms of Shelly Lowe, a medical technician at Bethesda North Hospital in Cincinatti.

Another baby was born two weeks ago at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, a survivor of Mr. Haskell’s horrific procedure. This baby is alive today and residing at Children’s Medical Center in Dayton. The baby has been placed in the charge of Montgomery County. The Children’s Medical Center has received hundreds of calls to adopt the baby.

Operation Rescue and six named defendants including its National Director are being tried today in Federal Court in Dayton. The United States Department of Justice is seeking violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) statute for rescue activities that took place in the summer of 1997 at two of Martin Hakell’s abortion mills. Many children were saved at the event.

The Judge presiding over this trial is Judge Walter Rice, who overruled the State of Ohio’s law banning partial birth abortions. He is a judge who views himself above the law.

Hundreds of Christians, several Dayton and Kettering Policemen, City Council woman Peggy Leaner, and dozens of pastors gathered in front of the Federal Court House in Dayton to support those who are being unjustly brought to trial.

"The people of America are becoming fed up with a judicial system that continues to protect men like Haskell, whose butchery is well documented, while prosecuting those whose love for the Lord and His children is equally well documented." said Rev. Benham.

CONTACT: Bob or Kathy Bent (937) 275-4315 or Flip Benham 214 (707) 9396