Wisconsin Family Council wishes you and your family a grand 4th of July celebration!

Consider John Adams' thoughts for this holiday:

...I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

~ except from letter of John Adams to his wife, Abigail, in July 1776

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Around Wisconsin
.... State Senate passes its budget version; includes universal health care and domestic partnerships
.... Wisconsin connections to First Amendment victories at US Supreme Court

Around the Nation
.... Missouri bill keep abstinence education, remove Planned Parenthood
.... How the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses—or misuses—your tax dollars
.... Federal abstinence funding extended for 90 days

Around WFC
.... Family Bulletin Board
.... Updated list of legislation WFC is following

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Around Wisconsin
.... State Senate passes its budget version; includes universal health care and domestic partnerships
The State Senate passed its budget version earlier this week that included domestic partnerships for all state employees, including University of Wisconsin employees. The UW System claims it has lost prominent employees and therefore grant money because of the lack of such benefits. The budget bill includes an amendment providing for universal health care for Wisconsin to the tune of $15.2 billion. Wisconsin Family Council will be providing information on budget provisions in the near future—stay tuned. The State Assembly is expected to take up its version of the budget bill next week. more

.... Wisconsin connections to First Amendment victories at US Supreme Court
The Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) and Wisconsin Right to Life (WRTL) were parties in two US Supreme Court decisions this week. The high court found that FFRF lacked standing to file suit against the White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives and dismissed the case; FFRF claimed the program was an establishment of religion. In the second case the court found that issue-oriented ads that mention a candidate 60 days prior to an election do not violate campaign finance rules under the McCain-Feingold campaign reform act. In 2004 WRTL was prevented from running ads that urged citzens to ask Sen. Feingold not to filibuster President Bush's judicial nominees because Sen Feingold was running for re-election that year.

Around the Nation
.... Missouri bill would keep abstinence education, remove Planned Parenthood
A bill that requires sex education courses in Missouri public schools to present abstinence from sexual activity for unmarried students as the preferred choice of behavior is awaiting Missouri Governor Matt Blunt's signature. The bill also prohibits organizations or persons that provide abortions or that make abortion referrals from offering any portion of a sex education curriculum. In addition, the bill provides for an increased awareness of abortion alternatives. more

.... How the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses—or misuses—your tax dollars
CDC Off Center, an oversight report recently released by the Minority Office of the Federal Financial Management Subcommittee, under the direction of ranking member Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), highlights areas of prevention efforts and funding decisions that seem to detract from the CDC's central mission of fighting and preventing disease. A $200,000 employee fitness center, a transgender beauty pageant, a "safe sex" event with a porn star, and conferences featuring prostitutes and beach parties are only a few recipients of CDC funding. The CDC has spent $5 billion over seven years for HIV/AIDS prevention, yet there are still 40,000 new cases each and no decrease in rate of infection for over ten years. Sen. Coburn says, "As this report notes, 'CDC Off Center' was not produced because of any personal animosity against the CDC, nor the good people it employs. As a practicing physician, I have consulted CDC’s experts and materials to help me successfully
treat my patients, and I value the good work it is capable of doing. Unfortunately in many areas, CDC is just one among many federal agencies that I believe is not properly living up to its own mission." more

.... Federal abstinence funding extended for 90 days
Yesterday the US Senate extended Title V Abstinence Education funding for three months. This will allow currently funded programs to complete their programs for the 2007 fiscal year. The US House of Representatives needs to also approve the extension of abstinence funding before June 30 for the extension to take effect. The battle for abstinence education funding is far from over, even if the House approves the funding extension. more

Around WFC
.... Family Bulletin Board

1. Fourth of July Celebration
Come celebrate the birth of our nation at Midvale Baptist Church, 821 S. Midvale Blvd., Madison, WI on July 4th, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The program includes prayer and special music and a message on God's work in the War for Independence. The Christian Benevolent Society will present the Patrick Henry award to Wisconsin Family Council CEO, Julaine Appling. A potluck luncheon follows the program. Please bring a dish to pass. Midvale Baptist Church and the Christian Benevolent Society will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, potato salad and some beverages. For more information, contact David Paul, davjonpaul@aol.com.

2. July 8th, 2007 "Free" Inside/Out Ministries worship services
 Sunday, July 8th, "Free" Inside/Out Ministries will be holding worship services at Faith Community Church, 1040 Paperjack Dr., New Richmond, WI.  The message will be "The Church Behind the Prison Walls." There will be testimonies from people who served 2 to 35 yrs. in Wisconsin prisons. They will share what God continues to do in and through their changed lives!  Services will be at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.  A dinner will follow the second service.  More testimonies will be shared during the dinner, which will be from 1 - 3 p.m.  For more info please call Chaplain Jeannine at (715) 246-7976.

.... Updated list of legislation WFC is following

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WISCONSIN FAMILY COUNCIL

PO BOX 2075 • Madison WI 53701-2075

1-888-378-7-395 (toll-free) • 608-256-3228 (in Madison)

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