Marriage Education In the News
 Marriage
education was once again in the news this week as lawmakers begin
the push to reintroduce legislation vetoed by Governor Jennifer
Granholm in 2004. The Governor continues to argue that the state
should stay out of "private" marriage decisions despite
the overwhelming evidence that pre-marital education helps couples
stay married longer.
"We're at a loss as to why the Governor would
not want to support programs that provide incentives for pre-marital
education," said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely. "The
state benefits in more ways than one when marriages remain intact.
No one is trying to force anyone to have pre-marital education.
Incentives are different than requirements. The state provides
incentives for all sorts of things - why not provide an incentive
for something that benefits adults and children?"
To read a Detroit News article about this issue,
click
here.
Detroit Pastor Announces
Senate Candidacy
 Rev.
Keith Butler, pastor of the 21,000 member Word of Faith Christian
Center in Southfield (near Detroit), has announced his candidacy
for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2006. Other Republican
possibilities include David Brandon, Jane Abraham, Nasser Beydoun
and Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. The seat is currently
held by Democrat Debbie Stabenow.
Butler has previously served on the Detroit City
Council. He has been an outspoken advocate of many social issues
including protection of marriage and promoting a culture of life.
The Detroit Free Press ran two articles regarding Butler's announcement.
Click
here to view the first article and here
to view the second.
Michigan Prayer Breakfast
- May 12, 7:30am
 Forum
Online readers are encouraged to join MFF and others at the annual
Michigan Prayer Breakfast. This year's event will take place on
Thursday, May 12, 7:30am at the Kellogg Center on the campus of
Michigan State University.
The speaker will be Commissioner James Osborne,
a third-generation Salvation Army member, who served as Chairman
of the Advisory Council to the General at Salvation Army Headquarters
in London, England. He has also served on numerous national boards
and committees and was named Christian Management Executive of
the Year in 1992.
The Michigan Prayer Breakfast also serves as the
site for the presentation of the national "Amy Writing Award."
The Award, acclaimed as the most popular writing contest in the
nation, offers a $10,000 first prize. Several state officials,
including the governor, supreme court justices, and legislators
are expected to be on hand for the breakfast and award ceremony.
Tickets are $16.00 per person. For more information
or to request tickets, contact David Chapman at (517) 319-8210,
or via email: dchapman@davidchapmanagency.com.
Adoption on the Rise
 Statistics
indicate adoption is more popular than ever but those dedicated
to placing children into loving homes acknowledge they still have
a lot of work to do.
Among the impressive numbers are studies that report international
adoption has tripled in the last 10 years while foster-care adoptions
have risen from 31,000 to 51,000 in a five-year period. Tom Atwood
of the National Council for Adoption said those successes are
worth celebrating, but there is still much more than can be done.
"Michigan Family Forum is committed to promoting adoption
in this state," said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely.
"We are pushing for legislative action to encourage married
couple adoption and for the state to offer incentives to educate
un-wed mothers about the benefits of adoption. Later this year,
we are planning invite Tom Atwood to speak at one of our Legislative
Issues Luncheons. This will be a great opportunity to educate
the Michigan legislature about the benefits of promoting adoption."
To read Michigan Family Forum's legislative agenda and view our
goals for promoting adoption, click
here. For more information about the increase in adoptions,
click
here
New Report Reveals Impact
of Workplace on Marriage
 The
Alliance for Marriage has released a new report that examines
the impact of the workplace on marriage in the United States.
The study found that after salary, the most important benefit
workers in America look for is the option to work from home and
spend more time with their families.
The report highlights several successful strategies
already been used in several companies across the nation. For
more information and to view the report, click
here.
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