| In the late 1980s, Focus
on the Family had become widely recognized as a national advocate
for the value of the traditional family. However, they realized
that they could not be effectively involved in family issues at
the state level. As a result, the concept of independent state family
policy councils was born.*
Several individuals in Michigan caught the vision
to make a difference for families in this state. In late 1989, a
board formed and recruited Kent County Probate Judge Randall Hekman
as MFF's first executive director.
From the beginning, Mr. Hekman set a tone for MFF
that we continue to pursue: winsome persuasion. We strive to promote
and defend God's design for the family with conviction and compassion.
We believe that there are timeless truths which provide the greatest
benefit for all families in our society.
As the organization grew, it actively pursued its
family agenda through involvement in many issues, including education,
marriage, sex education, and ballot proposals regarding euthanasia
and gambling. In 1995, MFF was instrumental in developing an important
set of bills to strengthen marriage and provide much needed reforms
to Michigan's unilateral no-fault divorce.
In 1997, following Mr. Hekman's resignation to pursue
another calling, Mr. Michael Harris, a former Kansas state senator,
assumed directorship. During his tenure, MFF continued to pursue
marriage and family strengthening initiatives, as well as reaching
out with compassion through conferences such as Unchained Love
(recovery from homosexuality) and Families and Addictions.
In 2001, Mr. Harris was appointed by the governor to serve as a
magistrate judge.
The board then selected Mr.
Brad Snavely, a member of the board and former government relations
director for MFF, to serve as executive director. Mr. Snavely brought
renewed enthusiasm for MFF's role in strengthening families and
a vision to focus MFF's energy and resources in areas where they
would be most effective:
Strengthening
Marriage
Promoting Responsible
Fatherhood
Protecting Children
Honoring Our Elders
Despite the challenges of reorganization and the
economic climate, MFF believes we are anticipating some of the most
significant accomplishments and brightest opportunities we've ever
had.
In 2003, MFF launched a free, weekly email newsletter-Forum
Online, hosted a legislative breakfast for the release of our
2003 legislative agenda, and published three new resource booklets—Family
Health Indicators, Promoting
Fatherhood in Michigan, and Family
Guide to Internet Safety. Of the eighteen recommendations made
in our “Putting Families First” Legislative
Agenda, seven have been passed by the House and Senate, and
four have been signed into law.
In 2004, MFF saw three bills signed into law, participated
in petition drives for the legal birth definition act and the marriage
protection amendment (both of which ultimately were approved by voters), and witnessed the passage of a major package of bills
to strengthen marriage and protect children of divorce. We also once
again educated voters statewide through our non-partisan Michigan Voters' Guide.
We realize government alone cannot change our culture,
but it ought to at least send the right message: strong marriages
and families are vital to our society and provide an incredible
array of benefits, especially to children. As we encourage our state
to adopt sound public policies, we hope to raise the kind of public
dialogue that will impact individual lives and renew our culture.
*
MFF is an entirely independent organization with no affiliation
other than voluntarily shared information or collaborative efforts.
MFF is independently funded by donations. (See Support
MFF for more information.)
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