Don Tracy for Lt. Governor: Why I Am Pro-Life: In His Own Words

 

RFFM.org EXCLUSIVE

 

OP-ED by DON TRACY

 

My name is Don Tracy.  I am running for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois.  I am pro-life for several reasons.  Let me explain.

 

I am the eldest of 12 children.  Yes, we are Catholic.

 

I grew up in western Illinois in the City of Mt. Sterling, where I attended and graduated from St. Mary’s Academy Grade School.  I was an altar boy at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

 

After graduating from Brown County High School in 1968, I attended Western Illinois University and graduated from Arizona State University in 1972.  Since graduating from the University of Memphis Law School in 1976, I have been representing family businesses and other clients in crisis situations in courtrooms and board rooms throughout the country.  I worked my way through college and law school as a warehouse worker, truck driver, resident assistant, store clerk, bellman, and salesman for three different companies (consumer lights, industrial products, and food products).

 

I am 59 years old and have been married to my wife, Wanda, for 27 years. We have been members of Blessed Sacrament Parish Church in Springfield since 1980.  I am a lector, counter and fund-raiser for my church.

 

Wanda and I have 4 children who are among the 47 grandchildren of my mother, Dorothy Tracy, and my deceased father, Robert Tracy.  All 11 of my brothers and sisters are married.  Their names are:  Pat, Tom, Anne, Jim, Jean, John, Mary, Susan, Jane, Joe & Dick.  They are married to:  Jane, Catherine, Ray, Jil, Mike, Linda, Jay, Scott, Fred, Jill and Adina. 

 

At this point, I am tempted to give you the names of all 47 of my Mom’s grandchildren. However, by now I am sure you get the point.  Depending on how you count, I have either 2, 12, 24, 47 or 85 reasons to be pro-life.

 

Growing up with so much life around me has made me appreciate the power each one holds.  I am thankful for my large family.  My life and probably my values would be significantly different if even one of my 12 siblings had not made it out alive.

 

A lot of people in this election think that life is not an issue.  They say, ‘How can we make time for social issues when the state and its people are mired in a severe financial crisis?’  With terrorism, gangs, war and the swine flu, life issues may seem trivial to some.  But, the financial and personal security issues we work for so hard on will never matter to the thousands who are not allowed to live it.  Furthermore, in the long run, moral bankruptcy can be as much a threat to survival of the state as financial bankruptcy.

 

I am running to make this a better state for new jobs and new families.  I am proud to live in a country where this election is possible. 

 

I’m Don Tracy, and I fully support the right to life.

 

Don Tracy

Tracy for Illinois
PO Box 256
Springfield, IL 62705-0256
217-741-8612
[email protected]
http://www.tracyforillinois.com/

 

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