“‘As the liberal, anti-Christian dogma of the left has been repudiated in almost every recent election, the courts have become the last great bastion for liberalism,’ Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council and organizer of the telecast, wrote in a message on the group’s Web site. ‘For years activist courts, aided by liberal interest groups like the A.C.L.U., have been quietly working under the veil of the judiciary, like thieves in the night, to rob us of our Christian heritage and our religious freedoms.'”
I did a quick Google search on the Family Research Council, and one of first hits was their entry into the “Right Wing Watch” section of the People for The American Way website. You can read their review of the FRC here.
If you don’t have time to read it, here are a few quotes (with references) that just might make your nerves bristle–a bit:
Are you concerned, yet? I am. This delusional organization apparently has the ear of our Congress, and even the President. I imagine the President of this group is feeding everyone in the organization the placebo kool-aid until the time is just right . . . .
7:30 A.M. BREAKFAST ON CAPITOL HILL:
Even though the 104th Congress has been in session less that 100 days, its members are already moving at break-neck speed on an ambitious agenda. Focus on the Family and FRC cosponsored this Congressional breakfast to offer the members moral support and to acquaint them with our extensive public policy resources. Jim and I had no idea how many Congressmen would come– or how many would duck out early for official business. The competition was heavy! On the morning of our breakfast six other events were taking place, including a speech by House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
You can imagine our surprise when, despite the competition, 34 members joined us to discuss the issues. On top of that, nearly all of these Congressmen and women– all but one of them in their first or second terms– stayed through the duration of the breakfast. In fact, they remained until well after its scheduled end to ask us questions about issues from school prayer to welfare reform. Many had tears in their eyes as Dr. Dobson spoke eloquently about the sanctity of life. I urged them to fight for lower taxes and less government but also to deal with family breakdown and the flight from values. One after another, the Congressmen made it clear they were counting on FRC to provide them with the research they need on these issues.
9:30 A.M. MEETING WITH REPUBLICAN NATIONAL
CHAIRMAN HALEY BARBOUR
After breakfast, Jim and I walked over to the headquarters of the Republican National Committee to meet with Chairman Haley Barbour — at his request. Dr. Dobson and I have always been willing to meet with representatives of either major party– or anyone else for that matter– to promote the pro-family agenda.
The meeting was interesting. As they say in diplomatic circles, there was a frank exchange of views. Haley was upset because Dr. Dobson and I had publicly questioned why pro-abortion, pro-gay- rights New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman was chosen to deliver the Republican response to the President’s State of the Union address. He had also gotten word of my letter to Newt Gingrich describing the disturbing actions she has taken in her first year in office. In the letter, we cited her opposition to teaching abstinence and her yearly proclamation of “Freedom of Choice Day” to honor abortion.
The letter concluded:
You have literally dozens of highly qualified men and women who could have stepped forward and effectively made the case for the vision you personally have articulated– a vision that clearly emphasizes the values component of the crisis this nation faces. Instead, you have made a selection that ignores that vision and that instead raises a red flag to social conservatives.
Haley claimed that Gov. Whitman’s focus on taxes and the economy– with no mention of family issues– was all the occasion required. Jim and I made it clear to him that both FRC and Focus on the Family would speak up whenever and wherever pro-family policies are at stake. Silence in the face of crisis is surrender, and the American family today is surely in crisis.
11:00 A.M. PRESS CONFERENCE,
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NEWT GINGRICH
The next stop was just off the floor of the House chamber in the Capitol. Jim and I, along with former Congressman Bob McEwen, slipped into the Speaker’s daily press briefing. We watched the usual lively exchange between the Speaker and the press. When it was over, Speaker Gingrich interrupted his packed schedule and invited us to meet with him in his personal office.
As we walked through the halls of the Capitol past the historical statues of American heros, I reflected on how much is at stake as the battle for the family rages on. Our Founders knew only a virtuous people could remain free. Washington still seems unable to grasp that fact.
Gingrich has tremendous pressures on him. The Speaker is second (after the Vice President) in succession to the Presidency, but he is the post powerful legislator in the Congress. As we moved through the Capitol, cameras flashed and tourists pointed at the face that has suddenly become one of the most recognizable in the land.
Our meeting with the Speaker was brief, as expected. As you can imagine, the subject mentioned above came up. So, too, did many of the items in the Republican Contract with America. Jim and I praised the key provisions of the Contract designed to provide pro-family tax relief, encourage adoption, and limit government intrusion in the family. We spoke just as candidly, however, of the moral decay gripping America, and the increasing sense among the people that our nation is off course. The Speaker’s response was encouraging. But we made it clear that rhetoric wasn’t enough. There must be action on the pro-family, pro-life agenda.
12:00 P.M. HOUSE DINING ROOM
The accessibility of members of the House can surprise visitors to the Capitol. After leaving the Speaker’s office, Jim and I had lunch in the House Dining Room. Members have priority there, but the public is served as well. As we enjoyed lunch, members of Congress from both parties stopped by to talk. It was clear to us that the 104th Congress is full of men and women who want to do the right thing by this land we love. Time will tell if they remain true to their mission.
1:30 P.M. FRC OFFICES AND A BATTLE ROYAL
Our next stop was our “home away from home,” FRC’s offices located in Washington’s business district between the Capitol and the White House. I sat in while Jim taped a future radio broadcast based on the day’s events. He wanted to record his impressions while they were fresh.
But on this day, I didn’t have long to reflect on what I’d heard. Events in Washington move too swiftly for that. Instead, my staff was fully engaged in news of the President’s imminent announcement of his choice for Surgeon General of the United States. Because of that office’s focus on teenage pregnancy and other sensitive issues, FRC had followed this decision closely. We were among the earliest and most persistent voices calling for the removal of its previous occupant, Dr. Joycelyn Elders.
For the remainder of the afternoon, we checked and double- checked our sources on Dr. Henry Foster, Jr. The next day, as rumored, President Clinton officially nominated him as Surgeon General. Before the announcement, our press release had been circulated across Washington and on Capitol Hill. Before nightfall, I had done two network news interviews on the nomination and the air waves were full of FRC’s information that Dr. Foster was a Planned Parenthood leader, and an ardent champion of abortion on demand and school- based clinics.
Overnight, a nomination that seemed a sure thing was headed for serious trouble, all because of the painstaking work of the outstanding staff at FRC.
Of course, every day at FRC isn’t as full and exciting as this one was. I shared this much detail with you about a single day because I wanted you to feel a part of it– because surely you are. Nothing we accomplish here would be possible without your steady and heartfelt support.
Finally, let me close with the most important part of the day. After hours of meetings and conversations with the power brokers of Washington, I jumped in my car for the usual 15- mile drive home. That drive is a good prayer time for me and that night was no exception. I thanked God for the opportunities he has given us in Washington, and for this great country that I hope will become a “shining city upon a hill” as our Founders intended. As I pulled into my driveway, I also thanked him for our faithful supporters and for the family that was waiting for me on the other side of the door. Within minutes, Washington seemed far away. I was submerged in the real news of the day– homework assignments, test grades, gymnastics competitions and the inevitable discussion of how many vegetables have to be eaten to justify dessert.
Washington and its committees are important. I promise you I will continue to represent you before the powers that be. But I am reminded very night that the most important decisions in America each day take place around the dinner table, not in Congressional hearing rooms. FRC and I will always fight for your family and for the values that are essential if this experiment in self- government is to survive.
They live and work close to Washington, they are getting meetings with our Legislators (and have been for at least 10 years), and they have funding. Watch these people. Their messages of hate and discrimination wrapped in a gauze of religion DO NOT reflect my beliefs. Be wary of the Family Research Council.
