Louisiana state Rep. Tony Perkins, who wrote the nation’s first covenant-marriage law, has been appointed president of the Family Research Council.
“The very bedrock of our society and nation, the institution of marriage, is under attack,” said James C. Dobson, chairman of the board of Focus on the Family and board member of FRC.
“I can’t think of anyone more prepared to lead FRC and to promote and defend the sanctity of marriage and the family at this time than Tony Perkins.”
Mr. Perkins, 40, who is finishing the final weeks of his second term in the Louisiana House of Representatives, will take over at the conservative, pro-family group Sept. 2. He replaces lawyer Kenneth L. Connor, who stepped down in July, citing professional and personal reasons.
Heading FRC “will allow me to address the issues I’m most passionate about,” Mr. Perkins said from Louisiana yesterday, where he held a press conference to drop out of the race for state insurance commissioner.
“My dad used to tell me, if you will follow your passions, people will follow you. And that’s what I’m doing — following the passions of my heart, which are family and marriage.”
An immediate issue, he added, will be “defending the sanctity of marriage and keeping it to one man and one woman.”
Edwin J. Feulner, president of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, praised the selection of Mr. Perkins.
“Tony Perkins is just the kind of innovative thinker and strong family advocate the Family Research Council needs as its leader,” said Mr. Feulner.
Mr. Perkins is known for writing the nation’s first covenant-marriage law, which went into effect Aug. 15, 1997, and is available to engaged and married couples in Louisiana.
To get a covenant-marriage license, couples must certify that they have had marriage counseling. If the couples have a breakdown in their marriage, they must also agree to seek counseling.
Grounds for divorce in covenant marriage are limited to adultery, abandonment, physical or sexual abuse, substance abuse, conviction of a felony or living apart for two years. Standard Louisiana marriage licenses set no such conditions. Louisiana is known for its easy, no-fault divorces.
A study about covenant marriage is due later this year from University of Virginia professor Stephen Nock. Arizona and Arkansas have also passed covenant-marriage laws.
In addition to covenant marriage, Mr. Perkins is known for his legislation regulating abortion clinics, requiring antipornography filters on school computers and encouraging faith-based groups to work in prisons.
He has also opposed gambling — an unpopular stance in a state famous for its riverboat casinos and video-poker parlors.
Mr. Perkins made national news last year with his unsuccessful bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, Louisiana Democrat. Many leading conservatives, including the Rev. Jerry Falwell, Phyllis Schlafly, American Values President Gary Bauer, American Family Association founder the Rev. Donald E. Wildmon and Traditional Values Coalition founder the Rev. Lou Sheldon, backed his Senate run.
Mr. Perkins is a veteran of the Marine Corps and worked as a police officer and TV news director before entering politics in 1995. He and wife, Lawana, have four children.
Mr. Perkins will be the fourth president at the 22-year-old FRC, following former Reagan administration officials Jerry Regier, Mr. Bauer and Mr. Connor.
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