Lt. Governor James Risch was given the 2007 “Friend for Life Award” at the annual ICL Legislative Reception on Thursday evening.

In presenting the Award, ICL Executive Director David Ripley acknowledged the many years of public leadership Risch has offered to the State of Idaho.

“During his many years in the Idaho State Senate, there was not a single pro-Life bill considered by that body which was not shepherded and defended by Jim Risch. The last I remember was the Idaho Ban on Partial Birth Abortion in 1998,” Ripley said.

“But his leadership and contributions certainly did not end there. During his short time as Governor of Idaho last year, he made it a high priority to fix the distribution problem at the Department of Health & Welfare. For many years, we struggled to get the DHW to provide Informed Consent brochures to every woman and girl undergoing abortion – as the law required. Governor Risch made it his business to ensure that materials got into the hands of women considering abortion. Those materials are not perfect – but they do contain important information about the baby’s development, and agencies willing and able to help women find an alternative to abortion.

“In addition, Governor Risch issued what we believe to be the first pro-Life Proclamation in Idaho history, when he proclaimed “Life Chain Sunday” in Idaho. That proclamation is a wide-ranging declaration of pro-Life principle,” Ripley concluded in presenting the award to Jim and Vickie Risch.

In accepting the award, Governor Risch said he was humbled by the honor simply for doing his job on behalf of Idaho’s families.

“It has been my privilege to help from time to time in the long battle to restore Idaho’s preborn citizens to full recognition and protection under the law,” Risch said.

Risch joins the likes of pro-Life heroes like Helen Chenoweth, Bill Sali, Tom Loertscher, Gerry Sweet and Halli Stone – previous recipients of the organization’s highest award.