Colorado House Speaker Frank McNulty gave a formal commendation on Thursday to Hercules Industries after the city and county of Denver rescinded one it had planned to give the family-owned manufacturing company.
In honor of Hercules Industries’ 50th anniversary, local officials wrote a proclamation commending the company for maintaining the historic building in which it is housed, raising money for victims and firefighters of Colorado’s recent wildfires, and lauding the owners for being “a responsible and respectful employer of a diverse workforce,” as well as their “generous employee health care coverage.”
That commendation was scheduled to be delivered on Aug. 13 — but was revoked after the Catholic family that owns the business won the first round of a legal battle against the Obama administration for forcing them to violate their consciences by offering insurance that covers contraception and possible abortifacient drugs.
“It’s sad when the very values that drive a family to serve others are used to try to disgrace them,” said Matt Bowman, legal counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom, which is representing the family in its lawsuit. “The city council saw this family’s contributions, but then said ‘no honors for you’ because Hercules’ leaders took a principled stand for freedom of religion and conscience. That makes the Newlands more worthy of respect, not less so.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Read District Judge John L. Kane’s July 27 ruling in Newland v. Sebelius.
Print
