Delaware Becomes 23rd State to Accept Pro-Life Licenses

Delaware Becomes 23rd State to Allow Choose Life License Plates on Vehicles
by Steven Ertelt

Dover, DE (LifeNews Excerpts) -- License plates in Delaware proclaim the state was the first in the nation, but now motorists in the Atlantic state can express another message. Delaware is now the twenty-third to allow residents to purchase a Choose Life license plate to express their support for adoption and helping pregnant women.

Today, Choose Life Delaware, the sponsoring organization, announced the availability of the plates, which have raised millions for adoption agencies and pregnancy centers across the country.

The plates officially hit roadways on August 24 and, already, 225 people have the plates on their vehicles because they were part of an initial group that signed up for them.

The license plate is an organizational tag, and Delaware residents can obtain one by becoming a member of Choose Life Delaware. The pro-life group is a non-profit, all volunteer organization with an annual membership fee of $20.

"These fees are distributed to agencies within Delaware that promote adoption instead of abortion," says Jim Cordie of the group. "There is an additional one-time DMV fee of $10 per vehicle if you wish to have Choose Life plates for your vehicles."

The attractive, positive plates feature the “Choose Life” logo, a smiling image of two young children & the phrase “Choose Life."

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Asked to Allow Choose Life License Plates

The pro-life group that has had problems trying to get its Choose Life license plates approved by the state of New Jersey is hoping the election of pro-life Governor Chris Christie will give its efforts a breath of fresh air. The Children First Foundation has been fighting the state Department of Motor Vehicles for years.

After having their proposal for a pro-adoption specialty plate rejected because of the slogan "Choose Life," the Children First Foundation (CFF) submitted a new plate design that was rejected too.

In response, the group filed a lawsuit and a federal judge, in July 2006, refused to dismiss the civil rights lawsuit brought against New Jersey officials.

A federal appeals court revived the effort in April. While a state judge agreed with local officials in their bid to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the rejection of the plates, an appeals court said that was "viewpoint discrimination."

Now, CFF president Elizabeth Rex is asking Christie to drop the lawsuit.

“We are asking Gov. Christie to ask his new (Motor Vehicle Commission) chief administrator, Ray Martinez, to approve our plate without further delay,” Rex told the Star-Ledger newspaper. “It would help the state resolve this issue. ... These plates do make money for the state without raising taxes or cutting spending.”

CFF submitted 2,500 petition signatures and a check for $12,500 in February to cover the first 500 Choose Life license plates.