PRO-LIFE RESOURCES An Influx of New Members Young Families, African-Americans Swell Pro-Life Ranks.

Ernie Ohlhoff is a 30-year veteran of the Pro-Life Movement. In his capacity as NRLC director of outreach, he has his finger on the pulse of the Movement about as well as anyone this side of Jacki Ragan, NRLC director of state organizational development.

"A lot of times, there are quiet little eddies of activities that few people know much about," he told NRL News. "But occasionally there are torrents swirling about that are pretty hard to miss."

By this Ohlhoff said he meant the growing involvement of young families, many of whom home school their children, and of African-Americans.

"My office gets calls everyday from young mothers who've been moved to get involved in a serious way," he said. Sometimes the impetus is a pastor - - either because he has spoken out on behalf of life or because he refuses to take a stand.

Other times the source for this typical young mother is very personal. "Pro-abortionists like to believe that because there have been over 44 million abortions, the public has grown tolerant or indifferent to abortion - - or may even actively support abortion because so many women have aborted," Ohlhoff said.

"But it isn't working out that way," he argued. "After chatting for 45 minutes or longer, it's obvious that some callers may have had abortions themselves and most other know of a woman who has. No one can convince them abortion is not a disaster for unborn babies and their mothers."

And it also would be nearly impossible to exaggerate the impact of the lengthy discussion of partial-birth abortion. "NARAL and Planned Parenthood specialize in putting a pretty face on the slaughter of unborn children," Ohlhoff said. "The partial-birth abortion debate tore the mask off to reveal abortion's ugly face."