PR Newswire, 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019 - Friday, 4 October 1996

"The question now before the American people is will these accomplishments be added to or will pro-family advocates spend the next few years defending mothers, fathers and children from liberal activism?"

For reporters and congress watchers who are analyzing the impact of this session on the family, the follow represent a pro-family review:

PRO-FAMILY VICTORIES:

* The House and Senate affirm marriage and reject civil rights protection for sexual practices in important votes on THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT (DOMA) and THE EMPLOYMENT NON- DISCRIMINATION ACT (ENDA).

* RESTORATION AND PASSAGE OF SEVERAL PRO-LIFE AMENDMENTS:

-- In a successful effort to block pro-abortion requirements in medical education, the Congress voted that no federal funding could be lost if medical school programs did not teach abortion techniques. This involved the ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (ACGME).

-- The Congress restricted the use of human life in research, voting against the CREATION OF LIVE HUMAN EMBRYOS FOR RESEARCH.

-- The Congress restored FUNDING RESTRICTION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM, so that abortion is not a taxpayer funded benefit, except in cases of danger to the life of the mother, rape and incest.

-- President Clintons directive to allow elective ABORTIONS IN MILITARY HOSPITALS was overturned. Abortions will be performed in military hospitals only in cases of danger to the mothers life, rape and incest.

-- The policy of the previous Congress and President Clinton's to force taxpayer funded ABORTION IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA's budget was also successfully overturned by pro-family advocates.

* WELFARE REFORM: After years of witnessing a destructive cycle of despair, Congress began the process of developing a system that truly helps people -- with the assistance of pro-family advocates.

* WOMEN AND CHILDREN RECEIVE IMPORTANT PROTECTION IN CHANGES IN PORNOGRAPHY LAW:

-- After years of effort, Congress voted to end taxpayer support of PORN ON MILITARY BASES

-- Pro-family support made passage of the TELECOM BILL possible, including PORNOGRAPHY RESTRICTIONS ON THE INTERNET

-- Additional protection of children came in a pornography law which prohibits COMPUTER SIMULATED CHILD PORN.

* CHILDREN RECEIVED GREATER PROTECTION THROUGH A NATIONAL SEX OFFENDERS' REGISTRY (MEGAN'S LAW).

* Pro-family groups won support for ADOPTION, in the form of a $5,000 TAX CREDIT FOR ADOPTION, SLIGHTLY HIGHER FOR SPECIAL NEEDS.

-- Adoption support included TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION REFORM, in which social workers cannot delay an adoption on the basis of a child's race.

* CONTRACT ITEMS PASSED WITH PRO-FAMILY SUPPORT

-- LINE ITEM VETO & CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND REFORMS

* BLOCKED ANTI-FAMILY APPOINTMENT OF DR. HENRY FOSTER FOR SURGEON GENERAL REAL PROGRESS:

* PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION: vast majorities in both House and Senate vote to protect the lives of children poised at birth, including a veto-proof margin in the House. Clearly this issue will be revisited in the 105th Congress.

* PRO-FAMILY TAX RELIEF: a Balanced Budget by the year 2002 was passed which included the $500 per child tax credit -- vetoed by President Clinton, but a returning issue.

* PROTECTION FOR AIDS-INFECTED BABIES: Despite the objections of homosexual activists, a provision in the Ryan White legislation does provide greater incentive for the states to ensure that babies are tested for AIDS (because research indicates that babies treated with AZT can be saved).

* GAMBLING COMMISSION AUTHORIZED and DR. JAMES DOBSON of Focus on the Family APPOINTED. Though the commission is in the early stages, the Congress is willing to take a look at the impact of this kind of money on Americas communities.

* THE SLOWER GROWTH OF THE INTERNATIONAL POPULATION FUND -- Bill Clinton fought for almost $400 million more in international population control funding, even for organizations that actively promote abortion as a method of family planning. The increase was held to $29 million.

YOU MAY NOT HAVE NOTICED:

* THE POLITICALLY CORRECT FORCE AIDS TREATMENT FUNDING FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS

-- but nothing extra for cancer or other illnesses.

* THE CONTROVERSIAL LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION CONTINUES -- though legislative restrictions were enacted, it is expected they will be ignored by liberal appointees who are charged with oversight.

* THE FAILED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM GOALS 2000 CONTINUES -- despite being zeroed out by the House, it managed to receive funding levels requested by the Administration.

* LIBERAL TYRANNY CONTINUES: A large number of liberal judges have been appointed to the federal courts -- including two new members of the U.S. Supreme Court. One of the appointees formerly served as General Counsel of the ACLU. The courts continue to usurp legislative prerogatives and undermine strong anti-crime and pro-family initiatives.

* PRO-GAY INDOCTRINATION TAKING PLACE NATIONALLY: The Clinton Administration has mandated sensitivity training favoring homosexuality throughout the federal government.

* PRO-ABORTION INDOCTRINATION TAKING PLACE INTERNATIONALLY: The Clinton administration has been actively working through the United Nations to promote a pro-abortion and alternative family agenda throughout the world.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information or interviews, contact the FRC media office./

CONTACT: Kristi S. Hamrick or for radio, Kristin Hansen of the Family Research Council, 202-393-2100/ 10:08 EDT

Copyright (c) 1996/PR NewsWire. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Permissions Desk, PR Newswire, 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019.
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