THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, February 7, 1997              TAG: 9702070003
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A14  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                            LENGTH:   18 lines

GIVE PARENTS RIGHTS

I was reading the Jan. 29 article, ``Senate kills `parental rights' bill.'' I take offense to the fact that anyone would oppose an amendment that gives parents the right to raise their own children. Killing a bill such as this is as good as saying, ``You can have children but you're not smart enough or good enough to raise them. We will do that part for you.''

The government should be more supportive of parents and families, at the same time supporting the rights of children who are abused.

MARCHANDT PINKNEY

Virginia Beach, Feb. 5, 1997