Pennsylvania TownHall -- Where the Voice of Pennsylvania is Heard!

PA Family Institute

PA Family Update

by Newsletter

Volume 4, Issue 7

March 7, 2008

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!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote of the Week
"Civil unions and same-sex marriages are society's signal that traditional marriage is optional - that it's an occasion for a party, instead of a solemn joining of two individuals intended to last a lifetime."
~ Allan C. Carlson

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pennsylvania News
Breaking News: SB 1250 Up For Vote on March 18th. The Marriage Protection Amendment will be voted on by the Senate's Judiciary committee on March 18th at 11:30am, preceded by a hearing on March 17th at 10:30am. Pennsylvania for Marriage experts will be testifying in support of protecting marriage. Please pray.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!
This is a crucial time for our supporters to contact those on the committee and voice your support for this bill. What we need you to do:
1. Visit, call and/or write to the committee members, and your own state senator, using our Citizen Action Center, asking them to support SB 1250 without amendments.
2. Contact family and friends to do the same.
3. Ask your church to make an announcement over the next two Sundays asking people to call their senator and to pray for the bill's passage.
4. Consider joining us at the capitol for the hearing on March 17th at 10:30am or the committee vote on March 18th starting at 11am. Contact us for more details.

Pennsylvania's Getting Some Attention, But Will Folks Get out to Vote in a Primary? As presidential primaries go, Pennsylvania usually is at the back of the pack, a Johnny-come-lately, almost an afterthought. As it turns out, the national media is abuzz now over the Democratic primary elections in the Keystone State. Why? Find out at the PAFamily Blog and add your own comments!

News posted daily at www.PAFamily.org!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Marriage News

CA Supreme Court Decision Pending on Crucial Marriage Case. The California Supreme Court is deciding the constitutionality of the state's marriage-protection law, Proposition 22, which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The ruling in this case is important for the whole nation because California allows out-of-state residents to marry. Pennsylvania citizens could visit California, marry as a same-sex couple, and return to this state demanding to have their marriage legally recognized.

That is why we must pass a Marriage Protection Amendment here in Pennsylvania. SB 1250 is coming up for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 18. Visit, call or write to the committee members and ask them to pass SB 1250. Use our Citizen Action Center!
Have you heard the new One Minute for Marriage radio spots covering the latest marriage news from around the country? Download or stream them online at www.pa4marriage.org.

News posted daily at www.PA4Marriage.org!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't Miss These Events!

March 29, 2008 - Tickets Still Available! Pennsylvania Family Institute is co-sponsoring a parenting seminar, "Instructing a Child's Heart," with Dr. Tedd Tripp, introducing his newest book. The seminar will be held in Harrisburg at the Whitaker Center Performance Theater from 10AM to 4:30PM. For tickets, contact the Pennsylvania Family Institute at (800) FAMILY-1 or register online.

May 6, 2008 - Don't miss this special opportunity! 2008 Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast - Tuesday, May 6, 7:30a.m - 9:30a.m. at the Radisson Penn Harris in Camp Hill. Keynote speaker is (Col.) Philip A. Mahalik, Chaplain, Army War College, Carlisle, Pa. Purchase tickets for $15 each or sponsor a table for $300. Checks made payable to Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast, c/o Elana Maynard, RD 2 Box 611, Millerstown PA 17060.

May 8, 2008 - PFI Pittsburgh Friends of the Family Banquet featuring Focus on the Family President and author Jim Daly at the Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry Twp.

July 20-26, 2008 - Registration is open for the 2008 City on the Hill Youth Leadership Conference July 20-26, 2008. City on the Hill is for high-school students, ages 15-18. Download an application and send it in by June 24, 2008.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PFI News
Voters' Guide: For important information on presidential and congressional candidates for the Primary Election, visit www.FRCAction.org to view guides published by our sister organization, the Family Research Council.

Important Election Dates to Remember:
- Register to Vote by March 24
- Apply for an Absentee Ballot by April 15
- Primary Election on April 22

Summer Interns Wanted! PFI is looking for paid interns for Summer 2008 to help with our 2008 Voters Guide, City on the Hill Youth Leadership Conference, etc. Do you know a qualified college student looking for a meaningful summer job? They can contact Emily Shaheen at eshaheen@pafamily.org for more information. Application deadline is March 30, 2008.

Spring 2008 Issue of Pennsylvania Families magazine available now! Inside this issue: People, Not Politics - PA for Marriage, Pennsylvania Healthcare Reform, City on the Hill Alum is a Force for Change, Michael Geer's movie recommendation and more. Contact us at (800) FAMILY-1 to request a sample copy.

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 Week's Guest 1: Dan Bartkowiak, of Pennsylvania for Marriage, discussing the upcoming marriage vote.
Guest 2: Rebecca James, of The Connections Ministries, talking about the Dr. Tripp seminar on March 29.

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