Informed Choice Iowa named State Sen. Jim Carlin its Erica Sarver Defender of Truth Award winner during Saturday’s Informed 2021 Conference. The award is named after Erica, who passed away at three years old from a vaccine injury.
The award is given to legislators or individuals who have “gone the extra mile” to defend truth and represent medical freedom.
Katie Adrian of Informed Choice Iowa said Carlin has been a champion of medical freedom for years before being one at the Capitol. Carlin has personally cared for orphans who were vaccine injured from pharmaceutical companies that experimented on them in Africa. He has co-sponsored bills supported by Informed Choice Iowa and is more concerned with protecting individual rights rather than personal gain, which Adrian said became evident last legislative session.
Carlin told those in attendance one of the greatest honors you can receive in public life is getting an award from people who you love and respect.
“I remember the first time they came to the Capitol like it was yesterday,” Carlin said. “Their stories they were telling and they gave me good information and they obviously had this air that they really really knew the subject matter. They really knew what they were talking about. And they weren’t there for the money, they were just standing up to protect children, which is as it should be.
“So seldom in this legislative process do you meet authentic people that are there for the right reasons with the right motivation, putting in the time and not getting anything for it. And that was really a great selling point for me because I bought in.”
Carlin said the ICI team had a “no-nonsense” look about them.
“Actually they were sometimes a little scary,” he said. “But you know what they did bring me — they brought me the truth I needed to hear. And you’re weapons of truth and advocacy in this battle. And when you mobilize like this, you are sending a message to the political elites and you’re telling them we’re in the game. And when you do this, you’re making a difference and you need to know that.”
In addition, he said he appreciates the fight in the group.
“One thing I absolutely hate is passivity,” he said. “I mean, if there’s a fight to be fought, get in and do it.”
Carlin, who is running for U.S. Senate against Chuck Grassley, said he got in the race because he asked himself if he thought in 20 years his grandchildren would be free.
“You guys are doing something. You guys are like bar fighters. I mean, really,” he said. “If you want to find out if you have a friend, get in a barfight. Because I know you’re not just talking. You’re in this thing and you’re also people of rooted, grounded, strong faith in Jesus Christ, and our Father, and the Holy Spirit.”
Carlin predicted ICI’s courage to fight will lead to victories ahead and, with God’s help, the group will prevail in the fight for freedom and liberty.
