Governor Sam Brownback was at St. John’s High School in Beloit on Tuesday to recognize St. John’s as a recipient of the Governor’s Award of Excellence in Education. St. John’s ranked in the top two-percent of Kansas high schools for academic achievement along with 10 other schools throughout the state.
The Governor arrived in Beloit in the late morning hours to tour St. John’s Catholic Church and the school. He ate lunch with high school students prior to delivering an address to the entire student body, faculty, staff and members of the public.
The second term governor, and former Kansas Senator, opened by complimenting the beauty of the church, and the impressiveness of the bell tower he visited as well. In his address, the converted and practicing Catholic began by discussing life issues. A cause he has championed throughout his political career.
He said there is one real central question. Everything in our country is either one of two things. Either a person or a piece of property.
He went on to say that the beauty of what people have done in fighting for life is that it’s working. He said since he has been Governor, if you look at the previous six years, there have been 17,000 fewer abortions in Kansas than in the six years prior to those. He said he has signed 19 pro-life bills as Governor of this state, but deflected credit for himself saying it was the movement of people that declared life as dignified.
Brownback expounded on the point.
The Governor then discussed the federal position for which he is awaiting confirmation as International Ambassador for Religious Liberty. A position he helped create during his tenure in the U.S. Senate. He described the responsibilities of the job as being to go around the world advocating for people for their religious freedom.
He said he is looking forward to taking the position once confirmed which he has hopes could happen this week before Congress adjourns until after the first of the year.