By Nancy Thorner -
Congressman David Brat, who defeated U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in an historic upset last year, was honored as Family Pac's 2015 Person of the Year on their annual boat cruise August 13th.
Pitted against the multi-million dollar special interest campaign of Cantor and given little chance to win - even by most conservative groups - pro-life conservative Dr. David Brat shocked Cantor, the Republican Party and the nation by defeating Cantor in Virginia's GOP primary June 14th, 2014.
Given Congressman Brat's masters of divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. in economics from American University, as well as his former role as Chairman of the Economics Department at Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, Brat has quickly become a leading voice in the House for both pro-life and taxpayer friendly legislation and needed government reform. He is a co-sponsor of the Life at Conception Act and is also a co-sponsor of a number of chain migration and enforcement bills.
Congressman David Brat (VA), Sandy Rios - Congressman Brat and Phyllis Schlafly
After receiving his award, Congressman Brat shared several points:
- The importance of values was traced back to ancient Greece, cited as the birthplace of human reason, philosophy and wisdom. These attributes, along with the recognition of Human Rights in the 1400, formed the basis of this nation's Judeo-Christian background.
- Reference was made to the importance of Adam Smith and his 1776 book on the economy in 1776, "The Invisible Hand", in which for the first time a business person was called "morally good." This factor spurred modern economic growth as the beginning the of free market system. Now business is morally suspect. And despite this nation's Judeo-Christian heritage, as moral values continue to plummet the Left continue to win on language.
- Brat's first vote upon becoming a congressman was for the 1,700 page cromnibus spending bill that included funding for amnesty. When Brat registered his vote, the vote stood at 212 to 212. With some arm twisting by Speaker Boehner, and promises made, votes were changed and the rule passed. Congressman Brat was one of only 16 Republicans to vote against the bill.
- The fall congressional session will bring to the House floor these three bad votes: 1) the bloated transportation bill; 2) about busting the budget caps; 3) and about raising the debt ceiling. Congressman Bart feels that all three will be contained into one bill right before Christmas, with the prospect again of a government shut-down which freaks out Republicans.
- After losing on Obamacare and gay marriage, Congressman Bast reflected on how religious liberty has become the next target. Even so, Congress has gone on recess and has not defunded Planned Parenthood which is popular on both the Right and the Left. Why? Because the establishment is scared of its own shadow and doesn't want to get voters angry before the presidential election.
- As a member of the House Freedom Caucus, ads are being run against Congressman Brat and other members of the Caucus by Boehner for not toeing the line of the Republican establishment (voting the right way). Speaker Boehner is especially out to defeat Congressman Bart, who is in need of financial help to win reelection.
- About the Iran bill: Congressman Brat considers the bill a travesty. Iran can legally, and with this nation's approval, come up with a nuclear bomb in 12 years. At a time when Iran's economy was shrinking 15% and showing weakness, it defies reason to give Iran $500 billion of funding over time to use in the funding of terrorists. Even if the Iran bill fails to pass, a veto vote from Obama only requires that one-third (34) of the senators vote to approve for Obama to get his way on the Iran bill.
Phyllis Schlafly wins applause and appreciation
Phyllis Schlafly, a real icon of the pro-family movement and founder of the pro-family movement here in Illinois, attended both Family PAC's pre-cruise reception and boat cruise, accompanied by her son John Schlafly. As an American conservative activist, author, and speaker and founder of the Eagle Forum in the 1970's, Phyllis is known for her staunch social and political conservatism, her opposition to modern feminism, and her successful campaign against the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Schlafly's 1964 book, now updated and expanded and available in a 50th Anniversary Edition, "A Choice, not an Echo", is a must read to fully understand the influence of the Republican establishment in selecting presidential candidates in the past and which is still continuing.
At 91, Phyllis is still a dynamo and shows no sign of giving up her role in the pro-family movement. Since 1967 Schlafly has published a monthly newsletter, the Phyllis Schlafly Report.
Phyllis was greeted warmly and with much enthusiasm by cruise participants for her tireless work over so many years. Having been named Person of the Year in 2008, and appropriately honored at the time, Family-Pac director Paul Caprio presented Phyllis with the 2015 “Woman of the Year” award.
In receiving the award Schlafly implored the following of her fellow conservatives:
1) Adopt a pastor to get the message out about the importance up standing up for issues that speak to the decline of this nation.
2) Become a delegate to next year's Republican convention in Cleveland to serve as a positive voice in selecting a presidential candidate of merit.
A special tie exists between Phyllis Schlafly and this year's recipient of the “2015 Person of the Year” award, through the financial support given by Schlafly's Eagle Forum in support of Congressman Brat's winning campaign.
Conservatives sail together on the Fort Dearborn
One-hundred-forty supporters of Family-Pac enjoyed a cruise and buffet dinner on Lake Michigan, gathering to board a new boat, the Fort Dearborn cruise ship. A reception was held prior to the cruise at the Quay Restaurant, near the North Pier Docks. Illinois State Representatives Jeanne Ives and Tom Morrison attended the reception, but were unable to stay for the boat cruise.
Pro-family leaders attending included Ralph Rivera, Illinois Citizens for Life PAD; Dan McConchie, Americans for Life; Bonnie Quirke, Lake County Right to Life and Illinois Federation for Right to Life; Mary Anne Hackett, Catholic Citizens of Illinois; Joe and Anne Scheidler, Pro-Life Action League; Nick Costello, HEAL; Penny Pullen, Eagle Forum Illinois; David Smith, Illinois Family Institute; and Preston Noell, Tradition, Family, Property.
Elected Officials and Candidates attending included Mark Curran, Lake County Sheriff; Bob Grogan, DuPage County Auditor; Heidi Holan, State Rep. candidate District 46; Tao Martinez, Candidate for Kane County Coroner; Dan Patlak, Cook County Board of Review District 1; Kyle McCarter, State Senator District 54; Randy Ramey, State Senate Candidate, District 23; Sharee Langenstein, State Senate Candidate, District 58; Paul Serwatka, State Rep. Candidate 66th District; and Jon Zahm, Bureau-Henry- Stark County Regional School Board President.
As the cruise got underway, Demetra DeMonte, RNC Committeewoman and former RNC Secretary led the “Pledge of Allegiance” and David Smith, Executive Director of the Illinois Family Institute, offered the prayer. The "National Anthem" was sung by Nadine Vorenkamp, an opera singer well-known by Moody Church.
Sandy Rios, this being her 24th year as a participant, brought with her insight into the state of this nation as Director of Governmental Affairs for the American Family Association. Sandy also serves as Vice President of Family-Pac Federal and is a conservative columnist and host of Sandy Rios in the Morning on AFR Talk.
Following the presentation of the “2015 Person of the Year” award to Congressman David Brat and the “Woman of the Year” award to Phyllis Schlafly, Family PAC Director Paul Caprio shared these thoughts:
1) Illinois Representative Jeanne Ives is supporting a bill to defund Planned Parenthood, which he described as "one big abortion mill." The American public must be convinced that abortion is wrong and sinful. The Republican leadership must show some spine now that the American people are aware of the abominable acts performed by Planned Parenthood. If our elected officials claim to be leaders, they must lead.
2) Gov. Rauner announced a federal grant of $2.7 million for Title 5 Funding for the authorization of 500 - 600 schools in the state to receive abstinence education. Although such should be taught in the homes, this society no longer has an "Ozzie and Harriet" structure.
3) Family Pac is embarking on a national project to call October 4th Religious Freedom Sunday. One hundred thousand pastors will be contacted to participate in the group's "God Foundation Project."
Caprio noted the prognosis is not encouraging for the pro-life movement evidenced by the unraveling of this nation. Although we have not been on the winning side of the battle so far, it's time to sharpen our swords to get ready to fight the culture battle of our lives. Our country is no longer favored by God, because of the things done in Washington, D.C. Nevertheless, Caprio believes that if the American people elect a decent president, he/she will be influenced in a positive way.
As “Fort Dearborn” was returning to port, voices were raised in the singing of patriotic songs led by Nadine Vorenkamp, who earlier had sung the national anthem, and Ty Cooper, a jazz blues, cabaret singer.
As Caprio wrote in the evening's program book handed out to participants:
"This year, more than ever in the history of American, Judeo-Christian people of Faith are under attack. . . from the news media. . . from the educational elite. . . from the false teachings of some in our churches. . . and clearly from government at every level and the courts. Our rights of the free exercise of our religious faith as declared in the Declaration of Independence is granted to us by our Creator. . . not by government, and cannot be taken from us by government decrees or court decisions."
If the measure of success can be determined by the enthusiasm observed among participants and the hesitancy to exit the boat at the completion of the cruise, the 2015 Family-Pac cruise was a smashing success.
May the intense conversations observed between old friends and new-found friends continue to thrive, and may this same positive energy be put to use to change hearts and minds in what promises to be a brutal and challenging run-up to the 2016 presidential election. It can't be otherwise, as the future of our nation hangs in the balance.
