IThe New York State Right to Life Committee, in cooperation with the National Pro-Life Oratorical Committee, annually sponsors the Pro-Life Oratory Contest.

The contest is open to high school juniors and seniors at the state and national levels, although regional contests may allow younger contestants. Designed as an educational outreach to encourage young people to investigate the pro-life issues, contestants research, write and then present a 5-7 minute original speech on one of the following topics:

THE TRAGEDY OF ABORTION

Initial contests are held regionally in March and April. Winners of the regional contests, along with students living where there is no local contest, advance to the State Contest which will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2005  in Albany. Cash awards are given to the first, second and third place winners at the state level of $1,000, $500 and $200.  In addition, the state winner will represent New York State at the National Pro-Life Oratory Contest which is held in conjunction with the National Right to Life Committee Convention. The 2005 National Pro-Life Oratory Contest will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 18, 2005.  Transportation and accommodation costs for the state winner (and an adult companion) are provided.  At the national finals, cash awards are presented to the first, second, third and fourth place winners, with the first place winner having the honor of presenting his/her speech at the Saturday evening banquet.

                                    Oratorical Rules for Contestants                 

                                    Instructions for Judges                            

                                    What If There's No Contest In My Area?

                                    Where are the Local Contests?           

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Why have an Oratorical Contest?

In September 1983 America’s high school freshmen, the first class to be born in, and grow to maturity in, a society which legalized human abortion, began its studies. These studies did not reflect America’s traditional belief in the Constitutional right-to-life of all citizens, regardless of condition or stage of biological development.

Responding to this error, the National Pro-Life Oratorical Committee was founded and resolved: "to encourage the youth of America to seek truth, and having found it, to Proclaim Truth to all the Nation."

** We encourage you to come in and borrow videos, pamphlets and books to help with the preparation of your presentation.  Or call to have materials mailed to you.