Louisiana Family Forum
Louisiana Family Forum (LFF) is a non-profit advocacy group based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It promotes faith, freedom, and the traditional family. The organization supports 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 individual state Family Policy Councils.
History
Louisiana Family Forum was founded in Baton Rouge in 1998 by a group of citizens, including retired 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 Judge White and former State Senator Dan Richey serve as consultants. Louisiana Family Forum is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization.[2]
The Family Forum honors a Louisiana state legislator each year for the member's advocacy of moral principles and family values. [3]
Top Senators 2005 Top Senators were Max Malone, Mike Michot, Clo Fontenot, Tom Schedler, Art Lentini, Craig Romero, and Gerry Theunnisen.
2006 Top Senators were Sharon Broome, Max Malone, Julie Quinn, Craig Romero, James david Cain, Ben Nevers, Clo Fontenot, Nick Gautreaux.
2007 Top Seantors were Bill Cassidy, Ken Hollis, Julie Quinn, Art Lentini, Max Malone, Wlater Boasso, Mike Michot.
2008 Top Senators were Bill Cassidy, Jack Donahue, Gerald Long, Mike Walsworth, Neil Riser, A.G. Crowe
2009 Top Sentors were A.G. Crow, Max Gautreaux, Neil Riser, John Smith, and Mike Walsworth.
Top Representatives 2005 Top Reps are Gary Beard,Mike Powell, Hunter Greene, Chuck Kleckley, Ernie Alexander, A.G. Croew, Tim Burns, Mike Walsworth, Bodi White, Brett Geymann, Kay Katz, Hollis Downs, Pete Schneider, Tank Powell, Blade Morrish, Francis Thompson, Wayne Waddell
2006 Top Reps are Ernie Alexander, Dale Erdey, Brett Geymann, Kay Katz, Eddie Lamert, Mike Powell, Steve Scalise, Pete Schneider, Jane Smith, Mike Walsworth, Bodi White, Gary Beard, A.G. Croew, Hunter Greene, Lelon Kenney, Francis Thompson, Wayne Waddell, Jim Fannin, Mert Smiley, Regina Barrow, Charles McDonald, Billy Chandler, Chuck Kleckley, Donald Ray Kennard.
2007 Top Reps are Ernie Alexander, Gary Beard, A.G. Crowe, Brett Geymann, Hunter Greene, Kay Katz, Mike Powell, Steve Scalise, Pete Schneider, Mert Smiley, Michael Strain, Donald Trahan, Him Tucker, Mike Walsworth, John LaBruzzo and Diane Winston.
2008 Top Reps are Page Cortez, Brett Geymann, John Guinn, Chris Hazel, Cameron Henry, Kay Katz, Chuck Kleckley, Jonathan Perry, Clifton Richardson, Jane Smith
2009 Top Reps are Richard Burford, John Guinn, Frank Hoffmann, Thoma McVea, Timother burns, John LaBruzzo, Patrick Connick, Rickey Nowlin, Jonathan Perry, Jerome Richard, Mert Smiley, Simone Champagne, Noble Ellington, Bodi White, Greg Cromer, John Schroder, Eddie Lambert.
Tucker Selected as 2009 LFF Action Gladiator Award Winner!
Prior inaccurate History
Previously the history only listed two names. This gave an inaccurate impression of the status of these two members with respect to this organization. The claim was:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Past winners have included Jane H. Smith of Bossier City, who garnered the award in 2006. [4] .The forum has twice cited [Louisiana State Legislature|State Senator]] Julie Quinn of Jefferson Parish for her conservative voting record. [5] <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Senator Julie Quinn's rating has fallen drastically in recent years as she has moved away from supporting family values.
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.[6] Records show that Vitter's campaign also employed Beryl Amedee, Louisiana Family Forum's current Education Resource Council chairwoman. [6]Amedee became the Education Chair in 2007.[7]
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."[6] This received national attention and was later cut from the bill after Vitter bowed to political pressure. [8][9]
References
- ^ "Louisiana Family Forum: Our Mission". Retrieved 2007-11-06.
- ^ Louisiana Secretary of State / Selected Business Detailed Data
- ^ "LaFamilyForum". LaFamilyForum. Retrieved July 15, 2009.
- ^ "Jane Smith". janesmith.us. Retrieved July 15, 2009.
- ^ "Louisiana State Senate District 6". senate.legis.state.la.us. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
- ^ a b c Walsh, David (September 22, 2007). "Vitter earmarked federal money for creationist group". Times-Picayune. Retrieved 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 24, 2007. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
- ^ "Senator Cuts $100,000 From Religious Group". The Pew Forum. October 19, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
External links
- Official website
- "Louisiana for Marriage" website - a project of the Louisiana Family Forum