Tony Perkins: Acts of Courage Should Inspire Us to Make 2016 a Turning Point
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins delivered an address on the “State of the Family.” This report to the nation highlighted key issues of concern to families and our broader culture and offered policy proposals to strengthen protections of human life, marriage and religious liberty.
The speech was given at FRC’s headquarters the day before President Obama delivered his annual State of the Union address. Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis attended the speech. Also in the audience was Jason Rowland, principal of Airline High School in Bossier, Louisiana, which has been threatened with a lawsuit by secularists, and Texas Pastors Hernan Castano and Charles Flowers, who have led successful efforts to defend religious liberty and protect their cities against the advent of transgendered bathrooms.
The following is an excerpt of Mr. Perkins’ “State of the Family” address:
“In the midst of the sobering summary of 2015, there were many positive signs—and countless acts of courage that should inspire us to make 2016 a turning point for our nation.
“Knowing that God is the Lord of the universe and the One in whose hand lies the destiny of all peoples and nations, we find hope. As our faith compels us to stand for God’s unchanging truths, and when we do, our lives tell a compelling story to our fellow citizens that there is, in fact, a better way.
“In addition to our faith, we still have our freedom. We must use that freedom to choose the good and the true. That, after all, is the purpose of freedom.
“And many are doing just that—using their God-given and constitutionally-assured liberty to stand for faith, family and freedom. We have seen several heroes arise in the last year and we are honored to have some of them join us tonight,” Perkins stated.
The full text of the speech can be found here: frc.org/sotftext
