December 8 , 2005 – Volume 3, Issue 47

Healthy Marriage Funding Still Needs Your Support

Last week's edition of the Forum Online included information about a bill moving through the U.S. Senate that includes $200 million in funding for the President's Healthy Marriage Initiative. The version of the bill (part of a welfare reform reauthorization bill) that passed the House includes the funding, and must now be considered by the Senate.

Michigan Family Forum joined other family policy groups this week in signing a letter presented to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. The letter asked Senator Frist to ensure that the funding for marriage-strengthening programs remains intact. More than one-hundred pro-family leaders signed the letter.

"These marriage-strengthening programs are important to the future of our nation," said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely. "Research is clear in showing that the breakdown of the family is a leading factor in the increase in government spending on welfare and related social programs. If we address the root cause (family breakdown), everyone benefits - especially children."

To see a copy of the letter sent to Senator Frist, click here. You are encouraged to contact Michigan's senators to ask for their support. To contact Senators Stabenow and Levin, click here. You will be directed to MFF's Citizen Action Center where you can quickly and easily send the senators an email. This may require registration if you have not already done so. All information obtained during registration is private, and will not be shared with any outside third party.

New "Out-of-Wedlock Birth" Policy Brief Available

MFF recently released a policy brief highlighting the high social, health and monetary cost of out-of-wedlock pregnancy. According to data released by the state of Michigan, a woman’s marital status at the time of her pregnancy is a significant factor in putting her child's health at risk.

Research shows that nearly two-thirds of out-of-wedlock births and many of the subsequent health problems are paid for with public funds and that unmarried mothers are more likely to depend on public assistance years after the child is born. While most out-of-wedlock pregnancies are unintended and involve young women, a surprising number are intentionally conceived.

To view a PDF copy of the Policy Brief, click here. (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)

Group Launches Petition Drive to Define Life as Beginning at Conception

A new group has formed with the goal of amending Michigan's constitution to define life as beginning at conception. Citizens for Life received approval from the Board of Canvassers to move forward with their petition drive to place the issue before voters in November.

If enough signatures are received and voters approve the measure, the following language would be added to the Michigan Constitution: "The right to due process, whereby no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, guaranteed in Article I, Section 17, and the right to equal protection of the law, guaranteed in Article I, Section 2, vest at conception. A ‘person,’ for purposes of the Constitution and laws of the State of Michigan, exists from the moment of conception."

The petition language is similar to a federal Human Life Amendment that has been proposed to the United States constitution. To read more about the petition drive in Michigan, click here.

"Family Planning" Fact

Michigan spends over $27 million annually on family planning services. Thirty percent (30%) of all family planning clients are teenagers who can access contraceptives without parental consent.

Source: MFF "Family Planning" Policy Brief

Supporting the Mission of MFF

Michigan Family Forum is grateful for the many devoted individuals who give of their resources to help us continue our work on behalf of families. Without these gracious gifts, we would not be able to accomplish our mission.

Would you consider an end-of-year gift to help get us off to a good start in 2006? We have a full agenda before us in the coming year, and meeting those goals requires a substantial financial investment. Your tax-exempt contribution will make a significant difference!

For information about how to give to support our work, click here. We also accept credit card donations via telephone. Give us a call at (517) 374-1171 if you would like to make a gift. Thank you so much for your prayers and support!