Louisiana Family Forum
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The Louisiana Family Forum (LFF) is a Christian right lobbying group based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It promotes "family values," supports creationism (which it calls "origins science"), opposes teaching evolution in public schools, promotes Louisiana's covenant marriage law, and opposes same-sex marriage. The group's stated mission is to "persuasively present biblical principles in the centers of influence on issues affecting the family through research, communication and networking."[1] According to its website the group "maintains a close working relationship with Focus on the Family and Family Research Council" and is part of a network of state Family Policy Councils that work together.
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[edit] History
Louisiana Family Forum was founded in Baton Rouge in 1998 by a group of citizens, among whom were Retired Baton Rouge City Court Judge Darrell White, former State Representative Tony Perkins, and LSU law professor Katherine Spaht. The organization is currently headed by Executive Director Gene Mills, while Retired Judge Darrell White and former state senator Daniel Richey serve as consultants. Louisiana Family Forum is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization.[2]
[edit] Political advocacy
Louisiana Family Forum Action (LFF Action), is a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt non-profit organization advocacy group formed by LFF. Dan Richey, who holds the title of Grassroots Coordinator for LFF Action, joined the organization as a consultant in 2005. Prior to his work with LFF Action, Richey was a paid consultant in David Vitter's 2004 U.S. Senate campaign.[3] Records show that Vitter's campaign also employed Beryl Amedee, Louisiana Family Forum's current Education Resource Council chairwoman. [3]Amedee became the Education Chair in 2007.[4]
[edit] 2007 Earmark
In September 2007, U.S. Senator David Vitter earmarked $100,000 in a health and education financing bill for fiscal year 2008; the earmark specifies payment to the Louisiana Family Forum "to develop a plan to promote better science education."[3] This received national attention and was later cut from the bill after Vitter bowed to political pressure. [5][6]
Until recently, the group's website contained Kent Hovind's "battle plan to combat evolution," which called the theory a "dangerous" concept that "has no place in the classroom."[3] The document was removed after a reporter's inquiry.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ "About LFF: Our Mission." [1]
- ^ Louisiana Secretary of State / Selected Business Detailed Data
- ^ a b c d e Walsh, David (September 22, 2007). Vitter earmarked federal money for creationist group. Times-Picayune. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
- ^ "Beryl Amedee, the new Chair of the Louisiana Family Forum Education Resource Council, has called a meeting of the group for Wednesday, March 21, 2007" |url=http://www.lafamilyforum.us/FFarchives/v9i11.htm>
- ^ Earmark for Louisiana creationist group?. National Center for Science Education (September 22, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-24.
- ^ Senator Cuts $100,000 From Religious Group. The Pew Forum (October 19, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-11-06.
[edit] External links
- Official website
- "Louisiana for Marriage" website - a project of the Louisiana Family Forum
