- Archdiocese of Newark – Archbishop John J. Myers: "I congratulate you and the Children First Foundation on your efforts to institute 'Choose Life' license plates here in New Jersey, and I heartily endorse your good work. The 'Choose Life' license plate program you have outlined is so much more than a 'traveling billboard' to promote adoption and safe haven programs in the Garden State...As women in crisis face the challenge of bearing and raising a child in difficult times, the 'Choose Life' license plate program can help offer them a viable and life sustaining alternative for them and their unborn or newborn children. I wish you much success."
- Bethany Christian Services (NJ)
- Choices of the Heart – Rita Reyes, Executive Director
- Diocese of Camden – Most Rev. Joseph A Galante: "I am pleased to offer my endorsement of your efforts to make 'Choose Life' license plates available in New Jersey."
- Diocese of Metuchen – Most Rev. Paul G. Bootkoski: "I wish to express my support to your organization in your stance towards pro- life by promoting the 'Choose Life' license plate, and by helping to support and promote the loving choice of adoption as a positive alternative for an unwanted pregnancy."
- Diocese of Trenton – Most Rev. John M. Smith: "Thank you for your efforts in promoting the 'Children First Foundation' as you seek to institute 'Choose Life' license plates in the state of New Jersey. I endorse your efforts...A great benefit of these license plates is that they will raise revenue to help fund adoption agencies and safe haven institutions allowing people to choose life."
- Eagle Forum of New Jersey – Carolee Adams, President
- Grace Initiatives – Rhonda Tomko, Executive Director
- Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint Barbara / Holy Archdiocese for Diaspora in America - Metropolitan Ephraem, Exarch of America and Metropolis of New Jersey: “We bless and congratulate your active ministry to preserve LIFE. You have our complete support, as God blesses all you do to help the helpless.”
- Knights of Columbus, New Jersey State Council
- Life Education Council – Trustees: John Mulholland, Dr. Jeff and Jayne Dance, Richard Ryan, Neil Sullivan, Betty LaRosa: "For over 20 years, the Life Education Council has been sponsoring billboards that urge women to choose life rather than abortion. This effort has resulted in the births of thousands of children who might otherwise have died in abortion facilities. We applaud the Children First Foundation for spreading this message through their Choose Life license plates, not only in New Jersey but in over 28 other states. We are pleased to sponsor and support their life saving efforts."
- Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center – Debbie Provencher, Executive Director: “The ‘Choose Life’ license plate program and continue to work hard to institute in New Jersey is a great step to raise awareness in our state for the protection of each human life, especially the most vulnerable…In addition to raising awareness, the revenue generated by the ‘Choose Life’ program would help organizations like ours to continue providing free services to those in pregnancy- related crisis.”
- National Life Center, Inc. – Denise Corcciolone, President: “We proudly support the approval the ‘Choose Life’ License Plate. We fully support adoption as a positive choice for an unwanted unborn or newborn child.”
- New Jersey Catholic Conference – Patrick R. Brannigan, Executive Director: "I salute you for your support of adoption and the safe haven programs. I think that implementation of the 'Choose Life' license has the potential to provide significant revenue to help the adoption and safe haven work in New Jersey to prosper. Dr. Rex, your work inspires those of use working on behalf of adoptions."
- New Jersey Family Policy Council – Len Deo, President: “The New Jersey Family Policy Council wishes The Children First Foundation great success in their endeavors, and we stand behind you whole- heartedly.”
- New Jersey Faith and Freedom Coalition – Larry Cirignano, Trustee: "The New Jersey Faith and Freedom Coalition is grateful to Elizabeth and Charles Rex for their extensive and successful efforts to spread the pro-life message thoughout the United States. We support and endorse the Choose Life License Plate program without restriction." - Options for Women – Joanne Thomas, Executive Director
Connecticut
- 1st Way Life Center (Enfield, CT) – Liz Gillen, Director: "Thank you so much for your recent check to 1st Way. Thank you also for all your hard work in promoting the license plates in the Tri-State Area." - Birthright of Norwalk (CT): “Birthright is very grateful to the Children First Foundation for your generous donation. Our work in helping pregnant mothers choose life depends on the support of individuals and organizations like the Children First Foundation.”
- Birthright of Clinton (CT): “I hope many will choose supporting your license plate endeavor. Thank you for your dedication to the welfare of children.”
- Connecticut Catholic Conference – Deacon David Reynolds, Legislative Liaison: “The Connecticut Catholic Conference supports the wonderful and effective work of The Children First Foundation and its continued success with its ‘Choose Life’ license plate program.”
- Connecticut Right to Life Corporation – Bill O’Brien, President: “Connecticut Right to Life fully supports all the good work you are doing to promote Adoption and Safe Havens.”
- Family Institute of Connecticut – Peter Wolfgang, Director: “The Family institute of Connecticut wishes to thank and offer heartfelt congratulations to The Children First Foundation for 10 years of ‘Taking a Stand for Life’ with the ‘Choose Life’ License Plate. We fully support your tireless efforts in the cause of LIFE by promoting adoption through this terrific non- profit endeavor.”
-Hopeline (Danbury, CT) – Linda Cochrane, Director: "Thank you so much for your generous donation to Hopeline. We appreciate your stand on adoption and your dedication to getting the license plate to be used in CT. We are so grateful."
New York
- Apostolic Nuncio & Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations - Archbishop Celestino Migliore: “I take this opportunity to extend to [Dr. Rex] and The Children First Foundation my best wishes in your own efforts to protect the sanctity of human life.”
- Archdiocese of New York - Archbishop Timothy Dolan: “Protecting human life, especially the most vulnerable, must be among the crucial work of today’s society, today. Included in this is the need to offer real and practical assistance to women who find themselves in very difficult situations due to pregnancies. The ‘Choose Life’ license plate program that you have so kindly brought to my attention has proven to be a successful effort in other states to raise public awareness of the positive role that adoption can offer these women as an alternative to abortion. I am pleased to support your desire to make these ‘Choose Life’ license plates available here in New York State as well. Be assured of my prayers as we join together to protect the sanctity of every human life, from conception through natural death.”
- Catholic Conference of New York State – Kathleen M. Gallagher, Director of Pro- Life Activities: “I wish you much success and all good things in supporting and promoting adoption.”
- Concerned Women for America of New York: "We are pleased to endorse your efforts to make 'Choose Life' license plates available in New York. The purchase of these plates would provide resources to promote the vital work of pregnancy resource centers in the Empire State and thereby offer assistance to women facing unplanned pregnancies."
- Diocese of Buffalo – Most Rev. Edward U. Kmiec: "I wish to extend my congratulations to you and the Children First Foundation on your efforts to institute 'Choose Life' license plates here in New York State. Please know that I wholeheartedly endorse your good work and this valuable endeavor for life!"
- Diocese of Ogdensburg – Most Rev. Terry R. LaValley: "I have recently heard of the Children First Foundation and your effort to bring 'Choose Life' license plates to New York State. I am pleased to support this good work and all that you do that heightens public awareness of the dignity of all human life."
- Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn – Bishop Gregory John Mansour: "I heartily endorse your good work. The 'Choose Life' license plate program does much more than raise awareness about the importance of life. 'Choose Life' plates will also raise revenue to enable the organizations that implement the state's adoption and safe have laws to do the work that was envisioned when such laws were created. Such a private/public partnership is truly welcome, and truly needed."
- Father Benedict Groeschel – Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal: "Thank you for the good news that New jersey approved the 'Choose Life' License Plate. I am very grateful for what you (are) doing for Choose Life."
- Hudson Valley Coalition for Life (NY)
- Human Life Review – “Thanks for the life- affirming work you all do.”
- Institute on Religion and Public Life – Rev. Richard John Neuhaus (deceased): “Your important efforts are in my prayers.”
- Life Center of Long Island – Lorriane Gariboldi, Director
- Life Choices Center, Inc. – Russell Smith, Executive Director
- Long Island Coalition for Life
- New York State Catholic Conference – Richard Barnes, Executive Director: "The New York State Catholic Conference is pleased to support the efforts of the Children First Foundation to secure the 'Choose Life' license plate here in the state of New York."
- New York State Right to Life Committee: “Thank you for the life- saving work you do – inspiring all to ‘Choose Life.’”
- New York Young Republican Club: “Congratulations to The Children First Foundation for their tireless efforts and dedication to promoting adoption and providing safe and loving homes for children in need. They show by example that the children really do come first.”
- New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms – Rev. Jason J. McGuire, Executive Director: "I write to thank you for your dedication to supporting the sanctity of human life. New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms (NYCF) certainly supports the -Children First Foundation in its efforts to promote 'Choose Life' license plates in New York State."
- Northern Westchester and Putnam Center for Life (NY) – Linda Lavirne, Administrator
- Sisters of Life (NY) – Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, Superior General: "I wish you every success with...the good work you do to build up the Culture of Life." - Westchester Right to Life Committee – Alan Mehldau: “I would like to congratulate and encourage you and the Children First Foundation in your efforts to bring the ‘Choose Life’ license plate to New York and New Jersey. This plate certainly supports your efforts to promote adoption in our world…I cannot see how any one who is really ‘pro- choice’ could object to the plates…We wish you every success in your efforts to bring the ‘Choose Life’ license plate to our area.”
National Organizations that Support CFF
- Alliance Defense Fund – Alan E. Sears, President, CEO and General Counsel: “You are what makes America great, and I so deeply admire what you, Charles (Rex), and the great folks at Children First are doing.”
- American Family Association – Dr. Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman Emeritus: “We proudly support the approval of the ‘Choose Life’ license plate.”
- Bill Keller of LivePrayer and Bill Keller Ministries: "Yours is an awesome testimony, and it gives me lots to pray about in your efforts. I encourage all New Jersey residents to get their choose life plates. Great job. The battles are intense and most give up. Way to see it to the end."
- Concerned Women for America – Wendy Wright, President: “We fully support adoption as a positive choice for an unwanted unborn or newborn child.” - Priests for Life – Fr. Frank Pavone, Founding Director: “What I like so much about the Choose Life plates is that they bring the pro-life message to those who are not looking to hear it…I applaud your efforts, and I pledge my own personal collaboration, and that of Priests for Life, to make them even more successful.”
- The Family Association – Kent Ostrander, Executive Director: “I applaud your labor and your tenacity on behalf of the children…Keep up the good work!”
"Choose Life" Plates in Other States
- Alabama Pro- Life Coalition Education Fund (AL) - Bob Foust, Executive Director
- Aloha Pregnancy Care & Counseling Center (HI) – Alana Marie Ammons
- American Family Association of New Orleans (LA) – Kathleen Benfield, Director
- Archdiocese of Boston - Cardinal Sean O’Malley: “I am pleased to offer my endorsement of your efforts to make ‘Choose Life’ license plates available in Massachusetts. This effort will both raise public awareness about the positive value of adoption in our society, and also directly support women in crisis who choose adoption as an alternative to abortion. Your commitment to offer expectant mothers the loving choice of adoption is a compelling example of answering Christ’s call to defend the most vulnerable of his children. Be assured of my prayers and support in the ‘Choose Life’ license plate effort, as we are united in this mission to protect and promote the sanctity of life.”
- Archdiocese of Galveston- Houston
- Arizona Life Coalition – Cathi Herrod: “Every ‘Choose Life’ plate on the road influences the community as we build a culture of life. Every plate purchased provides needed resources to promote the vital work of pregnancy resource centers in Arizona. Please order your ‘Choose Life’ license plate today. On behalf of the children whose lives you will help save, we thank you!”
- Arkansas Right to Life – Rose Mimms, Executive Director
- Awake America Ministries
- Center for Reclaiming America: “We know you will be an inspiration and an encouragement for others to become salt and light in their communities.”
- Boston Catholic Men
- Boston Catholic Women
- Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship (NC) – Barb Stevenson, State Director
- Catholic Conference of Arizona
- Catholic Conference of Florida
- Catholic Conference of Texas: “The Texas Catholic Conference supports legislation to create ‘Choose Life’ license plates. The purchase of these plates would enable Texans to fund abortion alternative providers and promote the Culture of Life throughout Texas.”
- Center for Arizona Policy (AZ) – Cathi Herrod, Executive Director
- Choose Life, Inc. (FL) – Russ Amerling, National Publicity Coordinator and Randy Harris, President: "It would all be worth it if just one woman chose to give her child life and place him or her with a loving adoptive couple."
- Choose Life, Inc. (MA) – Merry Nordeen, President
- Choose Life Alaska – John Monagle
- Choose Life Colorado – Matt Piper
- Choose Life Delaware – Jim Cordie and Farah Morelli
- Choose Life Georgia – Lisa Williams, Executive Director
- Choose Life of Maryland – Ann Marie Johnson, Director
- Choose Life Mississippi – Janet Thomas, Director
- Choose Life Nebraska – Bob Bland, Director
- Choose Life Oregon
- Choose Life Utah – Schipper Clawson, Director
- Choose Life Washington – Ben Hall, President
- Concerned Women for America of Texas
- Democrats for Life of Texas
- Diocese of Austin, Texas – Office of Pro- Life Activities and Chaste Living
- Diocese of Dallas, Texas - Pro- Life Committee of North Texas
- Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas - Catholics Respect Life Office
- Diocese of Orlando, Florida - Respect Life Office: “Thank you for having the vision and commitment to lead what is most assuredly one of the most effective life affirming enterprises that has ever been undertaken in the State of Florida and, most probably, the United States.”
- Foundation for Life
- Free Market Foundation (TX)
- Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas: “We believed it was a great opportunity to assist the adoption process and at the same time make a statement about the sanctity of life.”
- Governor Rick Perry of Texas: “I am here today to endorse an effort that will allow Texans to support the humane choice of adoption. The majority of Texans believe in the sanctity of life, and this license plate will give them a means to tell the world in a subtle but meaningful way, while providing support to pregnant women making the decision to choose adoption.”
- Governor of Virginia and DNC Chairman Tim Kaine: “I sign this legislation today in keeping with the Commonwealth’s longtime practice of approving specialty plates with all manner of political and social messages. If Planned Parenthood… or another similar organization ever chooses to seek a specialty plate in Virginia, I believe the Constitution would require the state to approve that plate to protect against any viewpoint discrimination.”
- Houston Coalition for Life (TX)
- Illinois Choose Life – Jim Finnegan, President
- Illinois Family Institute
- Indiana Association of Pregnancy Centers – Patrick Rivest, President
- Iowa Right to Life
- Kansans for Life – Mary Kay Culp, President
- Knights of Columbus, Massachusetts State Council
- Knights of Columbus, New Hampshire State Council
- Jerry Falwell Ministries – Rev. Jerry Falwell (deceased): “Several states want to adopt ‘Choose Life’ license plates. States want to utilize proceeds from the sale of these plates to fund nonprofit groups that counsel pregnant women and encourage adoption.”
- Liberty Counsel (FL) – Mathew D. Staver, President and General Counsel: “This 11th Circuit Court decision is a great victory for every individual who bought a ‘Choose Life’ plate. The court recognized the fatal flaw in the abortion- advocates’ reasoning. They had attempted to use the First Amendment as a sword to silence pro- life speech.” - Life Advocates of Houston (TX)
- National Association of Maternity Homes - Rivers Teske, Founder & President
- Ohio Choose Life – Beth C. Seidel, President
- Oklahoma Choose Life – Lori Sowers, Director
- Pennsylvania Choose Life – Mary Wurtz, Director
- Planning Life (SD) – Carol Noteboom, Director
- Priests for Life – Fr. Frank Pavone, Founding Director: “[I] give thanks to the Lord for the good that has been done in so many places with the Choose Life license plates.(…) What I like so much about the Choose Life plates is that they bring the pro- life message to those who are not looking to hear it. (…) I applaud your efforts, and I pledge my own personal collaboration, and that of Priests for Life, to make them even more successful.”
- Pro- Life Wisconsin – Virginia Zignego
- Pro- Life Action League (IL) – Joe Schiedler, Director
- Pro- Life Waco (TX)
- Project Defending Life (NM) – Fr. Stephen Imbarrato
- Richmond Coalition for Life (VA) – Shawn Doran, President
- Right to Life of East Texas
- Right to Life Wyoming – Steve Ertelt
- San Antonio Coalition for Life (TX)
- South Carolina Citizens for Life – Holly Gatling, Executive Director
- South East Texas Right to Life
- Tennessee Right to Life
- Texas Alliance for Life – Joe Pojman, Executive Director: “The Choose Life license plate will help create a win- win situation for all those involved – the birthmother, the adoptive parents, the baby, and the pro- life organizations that assist them. It’s time Texas joined the other 19 states that already have a Choose Life license plate to promote adoption.”
- Texas Eagle Forum
- Texas Abortion Recovery Alliance
- Texas Lutherans for Life – Oma Jean Amundson, President: “Texas Lutherans for Life (TeLL) endorses the Choose Life license plates in Texas as the purchase of these plates encourages Texans to promote adoption rather than abortion in cases of unplanned pregnancies. The funds from the Choose Life license plate would also raise funds to assist crisis pregnancy centers in Texas to continue their ministry to women who find themselves in ‘crisis’ pregnancy. May God bless this initiative to promote LIFE!”
- Thomas More Society (IL) – Thomas Brechja, Esq., President and Senior Counsel
