CHRISTIAN ACTION FACT SHEET Vol 4, No 12 March 1994 This fact sheet lists legislative and corporate attacks on traditional family values. The purpose is to inform you as a voter and a consumer so that then you can pray; then act as you feel God is leading you. Full text of sources is available on request. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "IMPROVING (SIC) AMERICA'S SCHOOLS ACT OF 1994" - HR 6 As originally drafted, HR 6 would have forced states to require that all teachers be certified in every subject they taught. Other language stated that the provisions applied to private religious and "residential" schools interpreted to mean home schools. After receiving what some estimated to be hundreds of thousands of phone calls, faxes and letters, the House of Representatives voted 424-1 to remove the certification language. Going even farther, the House voted 374-53 to adopt an amendment from Rep Dick Armey (R-Tx) that says "nothing in this act shall be construed to permit, allow, encourage, or authorize any federal control over any aspect of any private, religious or home school" but that the act "shall not be construed to bar private, religious or home schools from participation in programs or services under this act." Although provisions threatening home schools are out, bill still contains troubling language that would: -remove local control over curriculum and give it to unelected federal bureaucrats -remove any parental choice in schools -promote school-based clinics dispensing contraceptives. ACTION: Don't let up the pressure. Bill must still be passed by the House then voted on in the Senate. Changes can still be made in the bill stripping out the Armey Amendment and restoring the certification requirement. Continue to let your Congressman and Senators know you don't want the federal government controlling local schools. Senator ______________________, Washington DC 20510 Congressman __________________, Washington DC 20515 Congressional Switchboard 202-924..3121 (Source: Focus on the Family Fax Alert, 3 Mar 93; and AP news stories) ---------------------------------------------- GENERAL MILLS Cereal manufacturer is financial contributor to Planned Parenthood. Life Decisions Int'l encourages you not to do business with companies that support Planned Parenthood. Project is endorsed by Christian Coalition, Family Research Council, Eagle Forum, American Family Assoc, Concerned Women for America, and over 30 other pro-family groups. (LDI, Mar 94) ACTION: Write to Mr H.B.Atwater Jr, Chrmn, General Mills Co, PO Box 1113, Minneapolis MN 55440; 800-328-6787. Products: Cheerios, Total, Wheaties, Kix, Trix, Cocoa Puffs, Betty Crocker, Hamburger Helper, Pop Secret, Bisquick, Yoplait, Gold Medal flour, Gorton's fish, Red Lobster, Olive Garden. "The prolife movement will succeed only to the extent that prolife people are willing to be inconvenienced." --------------------------------------- US WEST YELLOW PAGES Will not let customers use religious symbols in yellow pages ads. Policy is result of Housing and Urban Development ruling that ads for housing cannot display items which appear to discriminate. HUD's fair housing division is headed by lesbian activist Roberta Achtenberg who previously tried to force Boy Scouts to accept gay Scoutmasters. Ban against religious symbols is spreading to other yellow pages. ACTION: Write to HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros, HUD, 451 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20410 making these points: -religious symbols in ad are statement of faith protected by First Amendment -mere presence of symbols in ad does not constitute discrimination -government is guilty of discrimination and censorship to prohibit religious expression in non-government publication. (FF Fax Alert, 24 Feb 94) --------------------------------------- TARGET STORES/DOVE AWARDS Target will be lead sponsor of 1994 Dove Awards, Apr 28, honoring Christian artists. Amy Grant, who has appeared in Target ads, will host the award show. Target's parent corporation, Dayton Hudson, donates to Planned Parent hood. ACTION: Call Gospel Music Assoc, presenter of Dove Awards (615-242-0303). Write to Grant's agent Blanton/Harrell Inc, 2910 Poston Ave, Nashville TN 37203. Unfortunately, when LDI told agency about Target's involvement with PP, agency responded with excuses and evasions. (LDI, Jan-Feb 94) --------------------------------------- EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Agency that enforces civil rights laws has announced new rules making most religious expression in the workplace subject to charges of "religious harassment". Rules will transform workplaces into religion free zones (like public schools) enforced by the EEOC and ACLU. Family Research Council and other groups are seeking legislation to protect religious freedom from EEOC. (WW, Feb 94) --------------------------------------- NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS HR 3488, sponsored by Rep Bachus (R-AL), will prohibit funding art that "depicts or describes in a patently offensive way sexual or excretory activities or organs; religion or religious symbols." Similar efforts last year failed by 28 votes. ACTION: Write and urge your Congressman to co-sponsor HR 3488. Congressman _________________, Washington DC 20515; or call 202-924-3121. (CAN mailing) --------------------------------------- WALK FOR LIFE Annual fundraiser to benefit Christian Pro-Life will be held 14 May at Cornerstone Church. Call 732-9135 to find out how you can win prizes including a CD player and autographed David Robinson poster. (CPL mailing) --------------------------------------- FETAL TISSUE TRANSPLANT The following medical charities support fetal tissue transplant research: Alzheimer's Association American Cancer Society American Diabetes Association American Heart Association American Lung Association Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Juvenile Diabetes Foundation March of Dimes Nat'l Hemophilia Foundation Nat'l Parkinson Foundation Parkinson's Action Network Parkinson's Support Groups Spina Bifida Association and others ACTION: When contacted by these charities for donations, respond by explaining your position on fetal tissue research. (TEF, Mar 94) --------------------------------------- QUOTES OF THE MONTH "We think abortion is a bad thing. No woman wants to have an abortion." - Kate Michelman, president of National Abortion Rights Action League in the Philadelphia Inquirer Dec 93 "What will it profit a television station if it gains the whole city in Nielson ratings and loses its children to destructive sexual immorality?" - Pastor Raymond Dean, in a Trumpet newspaper article about KSAT..12 airing "NYPD Blue" --------------------------------------- MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE. Hosea 4:6 Call these hotlines regularly for recorded announcements on pro-life and pro-family issues: Newsline 210/491-6800 Pro-Life 210/491-6870 BCCC ...... 210/377-2424 x501 --------------------------------------- "REASON, RELIGION AND REALITY" A radio call-in shot; that probes the issues affecting Christians today. Saturday ll:00 am - 12:30 pm KCHG 810 am . 828-0810 --------------------------------------- For more information, write to these organizations: (CAN) Christian Action Network, PO Box 606, Forest VA 24551 800-835-5795 (CPL) Christian Pro-Life, 1826 Basse #315, SA TX 78213 210-732-9135 (FF) Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995 800-A-FAMILY (LDI) Life Decision Int'l, PO Box 491, Amherst, NY 14226 716-839-4420 (TEF) Texas Eagle Forum, PO Box 872098, Dallas TX 75287 (WW) Family Research Council, Ste 500, 700 13th NW, Wash, DC 20005 202-393-2100 --------------------------------------- Compiled by: CAFS, 117 Vinsant, San Antonio, TX 78235