Shannon McGinley’s remarks before presenting the Nancy Elliott Pro-Life Award to Rep. Katelyn Kuttab.
Tonight we gather to celebrate twenty-five years of Cornerstone as the voice for Christians in Concord and in the courts — twenty-five years of standing as a consistent advocate for the pre-born and for the truth that every human life is sacred.
As part of this important milestone, we now present the Nancy Elliott Pro-Life Award, named for a woman whose courage and conviction defined what it means to defend life in the public square.
Nancy Elliott served three terms in the New Hampshire House of Representatives beginning in 2004, where she sat on the Judiciary Committee and became known as a tireless voice for the unborn, the elderly, the disabled, and the vulnerable. A former teacher and community volunteer, she brought warmth, intellect, and unshakable Christian conviction to every debate.
After leaving the legislature, Nancy continued her advocacy for more than a decade through the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition — traveling across the country and even abroad to warn of the abuses of assisted suicide.
I was privileged to know Nancy well. She defended life passionately and without compromise, and she understood that life is a continuum to be protected at every stage. Nancy sadly passed away in 2021, but her witness remains an enduring example of steadfast, principled public service.
Tonight, we are privileged to present the Nancy Elliott Pro-Life Award to a legislator who, in our time, carries that same torch of courage and faith — Representative Katelyn Kuttab.
Representative Kuttab has served Rockingham District 17 for nearly three years, representing the town of Windham. She is a wife, a mother, and a former software engineer who brings both intellect and conviction to her public service.
At Cornerstone, we work with legislators across the spectrum on any areas where we agree. However, there are issues where devoted Christians will always be called to disagree with the majority. Although tonight is a time of celebration, as a Christian called to speak the truth, I also have to be honest with you about the challenging realities we face. Just as the GOP underwent a major shift on marriage ten years ago, the fact is that there has been a major shift within the entire GOP on the issue of abortion — not only in our state, but nationally — so that even legislators who are with us on ninety percent of issues generally differ from us in our emphatic opposition to abortion in all circumstances.
In light of these dire challenges, I want to recognize a legislator who has carried the light of hope in these dark times and been an unwavering political leader in defense of life. Rep. Kuttab is a steadfast opponent of the abortion industry who has consistently stood for meaningful abortion restrictions and has bravely led a faction of pro-life representatives in an uphill and thankless battle even as our view has become unpopular within the party.
Rep. Kuttab’s conduct and leadership are reminiscent of the bravest, most unwavering Christian statesmen of the past— we are fortunate to have her in our legislature.
Please join me in thanking Representative Katelyn Kuttab as we present her with the Nancy Elliott Pro-Life Award.