Testimony at a General Assembly Health and Education Committee

In February I was asked to testify at a General Assembly Health and Education Committee hearing on behalf of the Virginia Family Foundation where I serve on its Marriage Commission with others from around the Commonwealth. This bill would add marriage education to family life education already being taught in Virginia’s public high schools.

My testimony was joined by others from varying political ideologies, as well as the Virginia’s National Education Association, all in support of amending the curriculum to cover the benefits and challenges of marriage. That hearing offered a unanimous vote in favor of the proposal. Last week the bill was passed by the complete General Assembly, and will soon become law. A positive reference about the benefits and responsibilities of marriage will now be included in the public school’s Family Life Education guidelines.

When teens are educated in numerous other personal relationship and sexual issues, this is a modest but important step in educating the next generation about the value and benefits of marriage, particularly when they may not have any good examples of that foundational cornerstone of society.

The full update on this and other family life legislation can be read below:

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Victoria Cobb, President Friday, January 27, 2009 Victory Alert: End of Session Thank You! Dear Lynne: It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is the last official day of the 2009 General Assembly.  Many important victories have been won in both chambers and some good legislation is on its way to the Governor’s desk.  Just 45 days ago, these victories were mere drafts of bills on the desks of legislators.  Through the Family Foundation’s advocacy and legislator contact from concerned citizens like yourself, many pro-family bills have passed the chambers – some even with unanimous or nearly unanimous votes. As you are probably well aware, The Family Foundation has five core principles upon which we advocate in the legislature: Life, Marriage, Religious Liberty, Constitutional Government, and Parental Authority.  To put our 2009 victories in perspective, we received major victories in 4 of the 5 principles. ·        Life:  A bill that creates a Choose Life license plate, the purchase of which would provide a percentage of the revenue to Pregnancy Resource Centers throughout Virginia, awaits Governor Kaine's signature. ·        Marriage:  A positive reference about the benefits and responsibilities of marriage will now be included in the public school’s Family Life Education guidelines.  This is a modest but important step in educating the next generation about the value and benefits of marriage.  This guideline improvement was a recommendation of The Family Foundation Marriage Commission. ·        Constitutional Government: A bill increasing budget transparency has passed which will allow citizens to better see where their tax dollars are being spent. ·      Parental Authority: A bill was passed requiring schools to provide parents a summary of what is being taught in public school Family Life Education and to be given the opportunity to review the curriculum so they have the information necessary to either allow their children to stay in the class or opt their child out. While we are pleased with the successes we had this year we understand that there are still many obstacles to making Virginia more family friendly, including an upcoming Veto Session in which we may see a veto threat against the Choose Life license plates.  So while the 2009 General Assembly is for the most part over with and we prepare for veto session, we are already working on our plans for 2010. I would like to thank each of you who took the time to contact your legislators during this past session.  Our email alert system generated nearly 25,000 emails to legislators this year alone!  Your action does make a difference, and we at The Family Foundation are always encouraged by your response. Thank you for allowing us to represent you in the General Assembly.  We take the responsibility very seriously, and look forward, with your help, to continued success!