One of our dear friends and most influential pro-life mentors passed away this weekend, Bernice Labedz. A primary founder of South Omaha Citizens for Decency (later South Omaha Christians for Life), Bernice helped the development of Vital Signs Ministries (in our early days we were the Omaha Christian Action Council) in more ways than we could ever count. But her leadership in Nebraska's pro-life movement had started much earlier and was spread much wider still.Bernice's service in behalf of "the least of these" will be remembered by most through her dogged determination as a State Senator but we will cherish our memories of her behinds-the-scenes efforts which were always kind, generous, joyful and strong. It was Bernice who "starred" in many of Vital Signs' first public events, who invited me to assume the vacated State Senate post of a colleague (I respectfully declined), who joined us in prayer outside the 49th and L abortion center, who helped energize us with words of comfort and cheer, who showed us how crucial it was to maintain a devotion to family even while being involved in a cause, and much more.
We loved her very much. We will miss her. And we join with the thousands all over the state (but most precious of all, her daughter Toni and the rest of her large family) who mourn Bernice's passing.
I print below the news release from Nebraska Right to Life:
Former State Senator Bernice Labedz is remembered fondly by Nebraska Right to Life upon her death Saturday, November 15th.
"Bernice was a gracious, yet tenacious, advocate for the pro-life cause." said Julie Schmit-Albin, NRL Executive Director who worked with Senator Labedz to pass pro-life legislation in the early 1990's. "Her likeability disarmed her adversaries when they found out she meant business."
Senator Labedz was recognized as the floor leader of pro-life issues during her tenure in the Legislature, said Schmit-Albin. "Senator Labedz persisted in her quest to pass a parental notification law, even after having her first law challenged in court in the late 80's. I remember gathering in her office at midnight on the last day of the 1990 session when the parental notification floor debate had been filibustered to its death. She resolutely comforted the pro-life lobbyists present with the remark, "we'll just be back next year." She came back in 1991 and got the law passed which is in force today."
"Her strength came from her strong faith and belief that all innocent human life deserved the same protection as the rest of society, whether that be a baby in the womb, or those mentally or physically challenged at risk of active euthanasia." said Schmit-Albin. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Labedz family as they lay Bernice to rest."
