PRO-FAMILY EXECUTIVE ORDER REVOKED . . .In April, President Clinton quietly revoked an Executive Order on the Family issued by President Reagan. That Order required the federal government to consider the impact that proposed rules and regulations would have on the American family before passing them, by answering the following seven questions: 1) Does this action by government strengthen or erode the stability of the family and particularly, the marital commitment? 2) Does this action strengthen or erode the authority and rights of parents in the education, nurture, and supervision of their children? 3) Does this action help the family perform its functions, or does it substitute governmental activity for the function? 4) Does this action by government increase or decrease family earnings? Do the proposed benefits of this action justify the impact on the family budget? 5) Can this activity be carried out by a lower level of government or by the family itself? 6) What message, intended or otherwise, does this program send to the public concerning the status of the family? 7) What message does it send to young people concerning the relationship between their behavior, their personal responsibility, and the norms of our society? The repeal of this pro-family Executive Order was found at the
very end of an Executive Order on Environmental Hazards and Children,
published in the Federal Register. [Gary Bauer, Pres. Family Research
Council, Washington Update, 5/8/97 & Intercessors for America, 6/11/97]
According to Gary Bauer, who wrote the Reagan pro-family Executive Order
while serving as Reagan's Domestic Policy Advisor, the repeal of this
Executive order by our newly pro-family President significantly eliminates
an important protection for the family.
$500 PER CHILD TAX CREDIT . . .In Washington, D.C., the House Ways and Means Committee passed a strong, permanent and real $500 tax credit. The full House is expected to approve the measure. Action will then move to the Senate Finance Committee, which often views tax matters in a different way. Please thank your U.S. Representative for working hard to guarantee a true, undiluted tax credit for families. [ACTION ALERT, Christian Coalition, 6/12/97]BOY SCOUTS UPHOLD STANDARDS . . .An article published in the San Francisco Examiner falsely stated that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) had changed its policy toward homosexual leaders and members. However, National BSA spokesman, Greg Shields, outlined the long-standing policy by saying, "A person who engages in homosexual conduct is not a role model. Accordingly, we do not allow homosexual membership or leadership within the Boy Scouts of America. Our policy has not changed. BSA has long taught the values held by traditional scouting families." In 1992, a homosexual scout leader in California filed a lawsuit against the BSA for not allowing him to serve as a scout leader. Initially, a judge ruled that the BSA was a "business organization" and therefore subject to the state's gay rights law barring discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, on May 22, 1997, a California appeals court ruled that the BSA was a "private organization" and therefore, had the right to exclude or include whomever they wish. A few years ago, a United Way chapter in California pulled their funding because of BSA's homosexual policy, but the organization has managed without the funds. ACTION: Thank the Boy Scouts of America for maintaining the group's stand on moral values. Write: Boy Scouts of America, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, TX 75015. (972) 580-2000. [Religious RIGHTS WATCH 5/97]AMERICAN HERITAGE RIVERS INITIATIVE . . . .By presidential proclamation, ten rivers will be nominated in 1997 to receive "special attention" from the federal government. This proclamation has been named the American Heritage Rivers Initiative (AHRI) and was scheduled to go into effect on June 9, 1997. The AHRI gains control of rivers in order to preserve "natural, historic, cultural, social, economic, and ecological diversity"; assigns a "River Navigator" to control all federal services; includes 13 Federal Agencies in the planning and enforcement of the program; mandates aerial photography and satellite surveillance for policing and expanding the program; and gives President Clinton final approval on what rivers can be taken. Opponents of AHRI fear that when the federal government steps in to "preserve the rivers", the land around the river will have to be protected and ultimately, the private land around the river land will also come under governmental control, resulting in the loss of individual property rights. [American Policy Center Alert, 6/11/97 -- www.americanpolicy.com] After pro-family and property rights groups were made aware of the AHRI, thousands of phone calls, e-mail, letters, etc., were received in Washington, D.C., forcing the president to postpone implementation of the AHRI and extending the comment period until August 16th. In addition, five congressional committee chairmen have accused the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and President Clinton of violating the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Administrative Procedures Act. The President must prepare a detailed briefing by June 27, 1997 to fully explain his undertaking of the initiative (AHRI). On June 10, 1997, Congresswoman Helen Chenoweth (R-ID) filed H.R. 1842 "to terminate further development and implementation of the American Heritage Rivers Initiative." This bill states that no federal funds can be used to finance this Initiative or any other similar program. H.R. 1842 sends a message that President Clinton cannot run this country by Presidential Proclamation. Rep. Chenoweth has said, "no matter how many days he extends the comment period, we must not allow the President to circumvent the will of the people, not destroy the unique balance of power that has made this nation what it is today." [Liberty Matters Action Alert, 6/16/97 -- (800) 847-0227, POB 143345, Austin, TX 78714-3345' ACTION: |