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Dear Reader,
Just a couple of items in this email.
Wrapping up the National Family Law Reform Conference
Last weekend Shared Parenting supporters gathered from around the United States and Canada in Arlington, Virginia for the purpose of discussing family law reform. We've received significant positive feedback, both in terms of the quality of the program and the opportunity to meet and network with others who share the desire to reform family law.
We captured the entire conference on video and will make the material available over the coming weeks. As a sample of what's to come you can watch ACFC President, Dr. Stephen Baskerville's opening comments at this link.
To view a number of still photograph's click here.
It's impossible to thank all the people who make such a conference a success but we'd like to acknowledge the efforts of two volunteers in particular, Darcy McGreer and Rob Whitfield both members of ACFC's Virginia affiliate, Fathers for Virginia, who freely gave of their time over several long days.
Michigan Rally for Equal Parents Week
Jim Semerad, Chairman of DADS of Michigan PAC, an ACFC affiliate invites all who can attend to a rally in Lansing this coming Wednesday, September 27, 2006 to support Shared Parenting. There is a great list of speakers including ACFC President, Stephen Baskerville.
Jim writes:
"Dads and Moms of Michigan, the Family Rights Coalition, Fathers-4-Justice and the Children’s Rights Council invite you to join us in defense of the traditional American family at this historic rally at our State Capitol during Equal Parents Week. Over 40% of Michigan’s population is being micro-managed by the family court system with disastrous consequences to our children, families and the state economy. Help transform Michigan from a wasteland of broken families into a promised land of healthy families and community renewal.
House Bill 5267, a bill to ensure equal parental responsibility, will result in a presumption of joint custody for fit parents and equal access for children to both their mother and father. Hearings on this bill are expected this fall. Your attendance at this rally will send a strong message in support of HB 5267 and serve as a demonstration of our will to be equal parents to our children.
The Equal Parents Week Rally has been organized to bring to the attention of our legislature, our executive branch, our judiciary and the general public that Equal Parenting is a civil rights issue whose time has come. America’s success was built on strong family bonds and the recognition that both a mother and a father are essential to raising healthy, moral and well adjusted children. Rally speakers will include nationally-known family advocates, legislators, VIPs, community leaders and parents.
Click here for details and the Media Advisory. The organizing committee has put together a great slate of speakers including the following individuals:
* Stephen Baskerville, Ph.D, President of the American Coalition for Fathers and Children
* Rev. Ruben T. Ellis, Ordained Minister, Community Leader and Social Advocate
* Richar' Farr, Radio Anchor and Founder of www.KRightsRadio.com
* Bill Hall, Attorney and Candidate for Michigan Attorney General
* Sen. Bill Hardiman, Michigan Senator for Senate District 29 and Chair of Senate Families & Human Services Committee
* Rep. Jacob Hoogendyk, Michigan Representative for House District 61, Member of House Family and Children Services Committee and Co-Sponsor of HB5267
* Jamil Jabr, National Coordinator Fathers-4-Justice United States
* Mark Klein, M.D., Physician and United States Presidential Candidate
* Phil Holman, Attorney and Former President and Board of Director National Congress for Fathers and Children
* David L. Levy, Attorney and Founder and Chief Executive Officer Children's Rights Council
* Rep. Leslie Mortimer, Michigan Representative for House District 65, Member of House Family and Children Services Committee, and Primary Sponsor of HB5267
* Michael T. Ross, M.D., Physician and President of the Family Rights Coalition
* Jim Semerad, Chairman of the Dads and Moms of Michigan PAC
* Tim Wahlberg, Candidate for United States Congress Seventh District
* Jerry Zandstra, Ph.D, Former United States Senate Candidate
There are many more parents and advocates whose names you will recognize that are also attending the rally including:
Torm Howse of the Indiana Civil Rights Council; Kimberly Streett daughter of deceased advocate Wilbur Streett; Robb MacKenzie our marathon cyclist who rode from Lansing to Washington DC in support of Equal Parenting; Carol Rhodes former Friend of the Court Employee and author of the book Friend of the Court Enemy of the Family; Spike Reed advocate and film maker; Al Lebow founder of Fathers for Equal Rights of America ...
Please join us at the State Capitol in Lansing on September 27 at noon to be part of this historic event."
We'll be sending another email soon regarding new affiliates in New York, Illinois, Florida, and North and South Carolina, along with an update on the ballot initiative in North Dakota, stay tuned.
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