September 25, 2008 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Family Policy Council of WV: 
Firemen – Enjoy night at the movies on us
The Family Policy Council of West Virginia offers to pay the way for the first 333 firemen to see Fireproof, opening statewide on Sept. 26

CHARLESTON, W.V. – The Family Policy Council of West Virginia is giving firemen from any part of West Virginia a free night at the movies.
 
“Through the generosity of our ministry partners, the Family Policy Council of West Virginia is offering to pay for 333 firemen to see Fireproof when it opens this weekend,” said Jeremy Dys, president and general counsel of the Family Policy Council of West Virginia.  “Part of our mission is to work to enrich the institution of marriage.  What better way than serving those who daily sacrifice for our protection?”
 
Fireproof, starring actor Kirk Cameron, tells the story of a fireman battling to save his marriage from a bitter divorce.  Along the way, through a 40-day commitment to study his relationship with his wife, he discovers that he is missing a key ingredient to make his marriage truly successful.  More information about the film, including trailers, is available at www.fireproofthemovie.com.   
 
After the widespread success of its previous productions (Facing the Giants and Flywheel), Sherwood Baptist Church, out of Albany, Ga., has partnered with Sony Pictures to release this powerful film.  The film, written and directed entirely by members of the church, features an entirely volunteer cast, including Cameron, who donated his earnings to a youth camp started by he and his wife, Chelsea Noble.
 
According to Dys, firemen may go see the film wherever it is being shown, save their ticket stub and send it, along with their name, firehouse number, and address to P.O. Box 566, Charleston, W.V., 25322.  The FPC will then reimburse the cost of the ticket if the ticket stub is received before Oct. 31.  Firemen having any questions about the offer may call (304) 982-2803 or send an e-mail to info@familypolicywv.com. 
 
“Strong marriages are important to families, communities, and even economies,” sad Dys, citing a recent economic survey that finds West Virginia Taxpayers are losing $231 million every year due to family fragmentation.  “That same study suggests that if we curbed the divorce rate in the U.S. by just 1% every year, American taxpayers could realize a savings of more than $1 billion annually.  This is just one, practical way we can encourage strong marriages in our community.”
 
The economic survey, titled The Taxpayer Costs of Divorce and Unwed Childbearing, is available for free download at www.familypolicywv.com.

#  #  #

May 20, 2008 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Family Policy Council of West Virginia
CONTACT FOR COMMENT - JEREMY DYS - media@familypolicywv.com

ALLIANCE DEFENSE FUND NEWS RELEASE
May 20, 2008 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT ADF MEDIA RELATIONS:  (480) 444-0020 or www.telladf.org/pressroom

ADF & FPCWV:  W.V. town does not need
to abandon invocations

Letter sent to city officials proposes policy that will allow officials
to continue opening public meetings with prayer 

CHARLES TOWN, W.V. — The Family Policy Council of West Virginia mailed a model prayer policy designed by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys to Charles Town officials Friday in the wake of a recent complaint over the city council’s tradition of starting its meetings with an invocation.  Numerous communities across the nation have adopted the model policy.

“A prayer in public meetings shouldn’t be banned just because a Christian or religious person delivers it.  The First Amendment allows public officials to acknowledge our nation’s religious heritage,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Mike Johnson.  “The practice of opening public meetings with prayer has always been lawful.  The Constitution protects public officials who choose to invoke divine guidance and blessings upon their work.”

The Charles Town City Council recently moved to allow for a moment of silence instead of a prayer after receipt of a complaint from one resident of the town.

“Just because someone claims they are ‘offended’ by hearing a public prayer does not mean the prayer has to be silenced,” said Jeremy Dys, president and general counsel of the FPC of West Virginia (www.familypolicywv.com).   “Public officials throughout our country need to be encouraged and reminded that such invocations do not violate the Constitution.  This policy, which is also available for other communities, equips them to continue the cherished tradition of public invocations in a constitutional manner.”

Because of increasing attacks against the tradition of opening government meetings with a public prayer, ADF attorneys have crafted a model invocations policy that addresses any constitutional concerns regarding such prayers.  Versions of this policy have been adopted by government bodies in Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere.

A copy of the policy sent to Charles Town City Council members is available at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/CharlesTownPrayerPolicy.pdf.  A copy of the letter sent to the council members is available at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/CharlesTownPrayerLetter.pdf.
 
ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith.  Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.

April 16, 2008 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marriage Breakdown Costs W.V. Taxpayers
$231 Million Annually

Cost to American Taxpayers at least $112 Billion a Year

Breaking Research Reveals Staggering Annual Taxpayer Costs
for Divorce and Unwed Childbearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As millions of Americans rush to file their income tax returns, a first-ever report to the nation released Tuesday by top researchers and economists estimates that divorce and unwed childbearing costs U.S. taxpayers over $112 billion each year, and over $1 trillion over the past decade.

“More than just simple dollars and cents, these numbers show real people and real hurt,” said Jeremy Dys, president and general counsel of the Family Policy Council of West Virginia.  “The high costs—economically and socially—make the breakdown of the family a legitimate taxpayer concern.”

For West Virginia taxpayers, the cost of family fragmentation is $231 million every year, according to a report from the Institute for American Values, the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy, Families Northwest, and Georgia Family Council.

Ben Scafaldi, Ph.D., economics professor at Georgia College and State University, and principal investigator of the report, said, “Prior research shows that marriage lifts single mothers out of poverty and therefore reduces the need for costly social benefits.  This new report shows that public concern about the decline of marriage need not be based only on ‘moral’ concerns, but that reducing high taxpayer costs of family fragmentation is a legitimate concern of government, policymakers and legislators, as well as community reformers and faith communities.”

“This study documents for the first time that divorce and unwed childbearing--besides being bad for children--are also costing taxpayers a ton of money,” said David Blankenhorn, president of the Institute for American Values.  “Even a small improvement in the health of marriage in America would result in enormous savings to taxpayers.  For example, a 1 percent reduction in rates of family fragmentation would save taxpayers $1.1 billion.”

Jeff Kemp, president of the Washington-state based Families Northwest, and Randy Hicks of the Georgia Family Council agreed, noting that the report provides the basis for a national consensus that strengthening marriage is a legitimate policy concern.

According to Blankenhorn, the report’s numbers are extremely cautious and have been vetted by a group of distinguished scholars and economists who have attached their names as advisors.

More background information and the full report are available at www.americanvalues.org/html/coff_mediaadvisory.htm.

The Family Policy Council of West Virginia is a servant organization that advocates for policies that embrace the sanctity of human life, enrich marriage, and safeguard religious freedom.

www.familypolicywv.com

###

March 13, 2008 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Veteran family advocate Gary Bauer
to address “Policy and Outlook 2008” dinner March 28

CHARLESTON, W.V. – Veteran family advocate and former presidential candidate Gary Bauer will address the Family Policy Council of West Virginia’s first annual “Policy and Outlook” dinner on Friday, March 28, at the Edgewood Country Club, 1600 Edgewood Dr., in Charleston.

“Gary Bauer brings a unique perspective and a long-term record of perseverance in the ongoing battle to embrace life, enrich marriage, and safeguard religious freedom.  His unique perspective will be an encouragement to all those who attend the ‘Policy and Outlook 2008’ banquet,” said Jeremy Dys, president and general counsel of the Family Policy Council of West Virginia.

Bauer is a former domestic policy advisor to President Reagan and president of the Family Research Council.  Bauer is presently head of American Values, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to advancing the pro-family cause.  A copy of his biography is available at www.familypolicywv.com.

The dinner starts at 6:30 p.m.  The cost is $50.  R.S.V.P. by e-mailing event@familypolicywv.com or by calling 304-982-2803.

For more information on the Family Policy Council of West Virginia, go to www.familypolicywv.com.
 
 
The Family Policy Council of West Virginia is a servant organization that advocates for policies that uphold the sanctity of human life, enrich marriage and the family, and safeguard religious freedom.

www.familypolicywv.com

--------------------

March 12, 2008 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Jeremy Dys to lead new Family Policy Council
of West Virginia

Organization founded to protect, defend, and nurture families in often hostile cultural and political environment

CHARLESTON, W.V. – The Family Policy Council of West Virginia announced Tuesday that Jeremy Dys has been chosen to lead the new Family Policy Council of West Virginia, an organization dedicated to serving the interest of the state’s families.

“West Virginia families need a strong advocate for their interests in Charleston,” said Dys. “There are many challenges ahead, especially as we deal with a cultural and political environment that is increasingly hostile to families.  But I’m confident that we can be an effective voice for families as we strive to uphold the sanctity of life, protect marriage and the family, and safeguard religious freedom.”

Dys is a graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law and has served as the clerk to the Honorable Russell M. Clawges, Jr., of the 17th Judicial Circuit of West Virginia.  A copy of his biography is available at www.familypolicywv.com.

On Friday, March 28, veteran-family advocate and former presidential candidate Gary Bauer will address the council’s first annual “Policy and Outlook: 2008” dinner at the Edgewood Country Club, 1600 Edgewood Drive, in Charleston.

Bauer is a former domestic policy advisor to President Reagan and president of the Family Research Council.  Bauer is presently head of American Values, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to advancing the pro-family cause.  A copy of his biography is available at www.familypolicywv.com.

The dinner starts at 6:30 p.m.  The cost is $50.  R.S.V.P. by sending e-mail to event@familypolicywv.com or by calling 304-982-2803.

For more information on the Family Policy Council of West Virginia, go to www.familypolicywv.com.
 
The Family Policy Council of West Virginia is a servant organization that advocates for policies that uphold the sanctity of human life, enrich marriage and the family, and safeguard religious freedom.

www.familypolicywv.com