PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
December 13, 2007
by Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 41
December 13, 2007
The Pennsylvania Family Institute's weekly update to concerned citizens.
Michael Geer, President
Attention: PA Family Institute has printable versions of the Family Update that can be downloaded and printed easily! Follow this link to get a 1-page version that you can hand out to your friends and family: http://www.pafamily.org/pages/index.php?pID=78
!Please forward this email to family and friends!
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Quote of the Week
"An elective despotism was not the government we fought for; but one in which the powers of government should be so divided and balanced among the several bodies of magistracy as that no one could transcend their legal limits without being effectually checked and restrained by the others."
~ James Madison
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Pennsylvania News
News and Commentary from Tom Shaheen at the PFI Blog: 'Christmas Tree' and Crosses in State Capitol! Each December, it thrills my heart to see the annual display of a Christmas tree in our magnificent state capitol rotunda. And wow! Imagine our surprise that the traditional handcrafted ornaments include designs with crosses, that's right, crosses! Read the rest of his post and join the discussion!
Grandparents Custody Bill Awaits State Senate Action. PFI Staff is now working for state senate passage, beginning with the Senate Judiciary Committee, of an important pro-family grandparents custody bill. To that end, PFI vice president Tom Shaheen and chief counsel Randy Wenger have been meeting with Judiciary Committee members and staff to gain support for the bill and to offer our help. The bill would ensure that grandparents would have legal standing to be considered for temporary custody/foster care of their grandchild in cases where a child was removed from a parent's care.
Background: House Bill 1548 passed the state House 181-11 on Oct. 29, 2007 and is now in the state Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration. The bill was introduced by two freshmen Rep. Randy Vulakovich, R-Shaler and Rep. Bill Kortz, D-McKeesport (with 50 co-sponsors) as the direct result of face to face introductory meetings where PFI's Model Policy booklet of ideas was presented.
Action: To help passage of the Grandparents Custody bill, citizens should call or e-mail their state senators and ask them to vote Yes on HB 1548. You can use our Citizen Action Center to find your state senator and get contact information.
Casinos Bringing Problems to Western Pa. Now that slots are in Washington County, Jack, of Gamblers Anonymous in Pittsburgh, says more people are becoming addicted closer to home. "They're either returning or brand new because the ... access is closer. They don't have to go to West Virginia anymore, they can go down to Washington," he said, according to KDKA (Dec. 7, 2007).
News posted daily at www.PAFamily.org!
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Marriage News
Rhode Island Supreme Court Upholds Traditional Marriage. The Rhode Island State Supreme Court issued a crucial decision on the definition of marriage. The court had been asked to grant a divorce to a homosexual couple "married" in neighboring Massachusetts. But the Rhode Island justices ruled 3-to-2 that Rhode Island would not recognize same-sex "marriages," because in the court's opinion, "The role of the judicial branch is not to make policy, but simply to determine the legislative intent."
News posted daily at www.PA4Marriage.org!
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National News
U.S. Resolution Recognizing Christmas Passes, Despite 'No' Votes. Nine legislators refused to support a U.S. House resolution seeking the official recognition of Christmas - even though eight of them supported a similar resolution on Ramadan earlier this year.
'Hate Crimes' Amendment Removed from Defense Bill. Thank you to all who contacted your U.S. Congressmen asking them to oppose this legislation. The 'Hate Crimes' amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill was removed due to a lack of support.
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Don't Miss These Events!
May 8, 2008 - PFI Pittsburgh Friends of the Family Banquet featuring Focus on the Family President and author Jim Daly. More details to come.
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PFI News
The Pennsylvania Family Institute is actively recruiting college-student interns for Spring and Summer 2008 in our Harrisburg offices, two blocks from the state capitol. Interns would be involved in our ongoing efforts to reach to three areas of influence in defense of pro-family policies: the news media; the government; and grassroots citizen action. Interns will be involved in issue research and coalition building, particularly on the issue of protecting marriage, and production of our 2008 Voter's Guides. Interns may also assist in production of our weekly radio shows and video projects; writing and reporting for publications such as our weekly electronic Family Update, Pennsylvania Citizen newsletter and Pennsylvania Families magazine.
Interested students should forward a resume and pre-interview letter, or direct questions to: Emily Shaheen, Media/Communications Associate: E-mail: eshaheen@pafamily.org or fax to (717) 545-8107; voice (717) 545-0600.
APPLICANTS FOR SPRING 2008 SHOULD APPLY NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31, 2008. APPLICANTS FOR SUMMER 2008 SHOULD APPLY BY MARCH 30, 2008.
Pennsylvania Family Institute Needs You! Pennsylvania Family Institute, the leading pro-family voice in Pennsylvania, is looking for volunteers to help at our downtown Harrisburg office in data entry, mailings, answering phones, event planning, and for our Pennsylvania for Marriage project. You get: free parking, free books and materials, free admission to our events and banquets, and the satisfaction of serving in a God-honoring ministry associated with Focus on the Family. For more information, or to get a volunteer application, call Emily Shaheen at (717) 545-0600.
Don't Miss Michael Geer's The Common Good and Family Update Radio Shows on Christian Radio Stations throughout Pa. and online through our podcasts.
This month's topic: Best of 2007! Throughout December - replays of portions of best guests of 2007, including Ben Stein, Richard Land, Gary Bauer, Rev. Jack Hibbs, etc.
The Pennsylvania Family Institute is a non-profit organization made possible through financial donations from our supporters. To donate to Pennsylvania Family Institute, click here: www.pafamily.org/donate
23 N. Front St. Harrisburg, PA 17101 ~ Phone: 717-545-0600 ~ Fax: 717-545-8107 ~ www.pafamily.org
