Senate Committee Begins Hearings on Bills
to Protect Children
 The
Senate Judiciary Committee will be holding a hearing on Tuesday,
April 26 at 1:00pm in Room 210 of the Farnum Building on two pieces
of legislation designed to protect children. Senator Alan Cropsey
has introduced SB416, a bill that will help keep ultra-violent
video games out of the hands of minors. Parents are needed to
testify on behalf of this bill. To view it, click
here. If you are interested in testifying, please contact
Brad Snavely or Dan Jarvis at MFF, (517) 374-1171.
The committee is also expected to discuss Senator
Alan Sanborn's bill, SB131, which would make it illegal to view
pornography on in-car video or DVD systems. To view this bill,
click
here.
New
Pope Pleases Conservatives
 Supporters
of traditional marriage and the strengthening of the family were
pleased with the choice of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the new
pontiff of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict XVI is expected
to continue the policies of Pope John Paul II of support for traditional
marriage and upholding the value of life.
"MFF is pleased that the new pope is committed
to many of the same values and goals that we are," said MFF
Executive Director Brad Snavely. "We have enjoyed a strong
working relationship with the Michigan Catholic Conference, the
public policy voice of the Church. We look forward to continuing
this collaboration on marriage and family issues."
Click
here to read a Family News in Focus article about the new
pontiff.
Click
here to read "Ratzinger on Relativism" from the
American Enterprise Institute.
NFI
Announces 2005 Fatherhood Award Winners
 The
importance of being a father in American society was the point
of first lady Laura Bush's message Tuesday at the National Fatherhood
Initiative's Award Gala.
The Fox News Channel's Fred Barnes, Orlando Magic Vice President
Pat Williams, country music star Buddy Jewell and Atlanta Falcons
cornerback Allen Rossum were honored as recipients of the 2005
Fatherhood Awards.
For more on this story, click
here.
To find out more about the National Fatherhood Initiative, click
here.
Oregon
Supreme Court Upholds Marriage
 The
Oregon Supreme Court upheld the will of the majority of the state's
residents recently by invalidating nearly 3,000 marriage licenses
issued to same-sex couples by Multnomah County in April 2004.
Justices found that Oregon counties do not have the authority
to trump the state constitution, which has considered marriage
to be between two people of the opposite sex since statehood began.
The decision indicates the ruling would have been the same even
if voters last November hadn't passed Measure 36, an amendment
to the constitution that notes "only a marriage between one
man and one woman shall be valid or legally recognized as a marriage."
For more on this story, click
here.
To read a news brief from the Alliance Defense Fund that includes
a link to the actual court decision, click
here.
Connecticut
Passes Civil Union Law
 The
governor of Connecticut today signed into law a bill that creates
civil unions for same-sex couples. The unions provide same-sex
couples with the same benefits as married couples in the eyes
of the state.
The governor insisted on a provision in the bill
that clearly spells out that "marriage" is only between
a man and a woman before agreeing to sign it. Same-sex marriage
activists have promised to continue pushing for "full marriage
rights" despite the provision. Connecticut joins Vermont
as the only state to "voluntarily" create civil unions
for same-sex couples.
To read more about this story, click
here.
National
Day of Prayer - May 5, 2005
 The
2005 National Day of Prayer (NDP) is scheduled for Thursday, May
5. This year's theme is "God Shed His Grace on Thee."
An observance will be held at noon on the steps of the Capitol
in Lansing. Several community events across the state are scheduled
throughout the day as well. To search for a local observance by
your zip code, click
here.
The Michigan National Day of Prayer Coordinatorhas
an excellent website. Many resources are available at the site
including 2005 Michigan Prayer Guides, information about the Adopt-a-Leader
program, and more information about local events. Click
here to access it.
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