News Release
For Immediate Release: January 18, 2011
Contact: Diane Gramley 1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355
Newly Sworn In Governor Corbett Encouraged to Take a Stand For Traditional Families
(Harrisburg) Today in a letter faxed to Pennsylvania’s newly sworn-in 46th Governor, the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide traditional values group, encouraged the new governor to come to the defense of families and children.
“Pennsylvania is hopefully beginning a new era with the inauguration of Tom Corbett as Governor. He has proven a solid advocate for children in his prosecution of online child predators as the Commonwealth’s Attorney General. The AFA of PA has asked him to protect children in another way – the protection of traditional marriage through support of a constitutional Marriage Protection Amendment,” noted Diane Gramley, President of the AFA of PA.
The AFA of PA’s communication with the Governor acknowledged his limited role in the amendment process, but it also noted that former Governor Rendell had used his position as a bully pulpit to make it very clear that he did not support a Marriage Protection Amendment.
The letter to Governor Corbett also noted that economic problems could not be solved unless social issues were address. The information included:
- Child poverty is a growing concern; however few realize that its principal cause is the absence of married fathers in the home. Marriage remains Pennsylvania’s strongest anti-poverty weapon, yet it continues to decline. As husbands disappear from the home, poverty and welfare dependence will increase, and children and parents will suffer as a result.
- It is reasonable for government to take active steps to strengthen marriage. Just as government discourages youth from dropping out of school, it should provide information that will address the severe shortcomings of the “child first, marriage later” philosophy to potential parents.
- The proliferation of online illegal obscenity and the presence of so-called gentlemen’s clubs also play a role in the breakdown of the family.
- A review of Liquor Control Board laws has been proposed by Senator John Pippy, Chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee. This could be an opportunity to address the Third Circuit Court of Appeals decision in August 2006 which struck down the Pennsylvania law on “lewd” behavior at liquor establishments. This opened the door for topless or nude dancers to “perform’ at establishments which sold alcohol. Not a good combination.
“The AFA of PA hopes that Governor Corbett will live up to his pro-life, pro-marriage credentials, as we move forward into 2011. Pennsylvania’s families and children are depending on his ability to take a strong stand in the face of those who have reshaping marriage and families on their agenda,” Gramley said.
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