Dear Fellow Pennsylvanians:

The strength of a nation is in the strength of its families. More than any other institution in society, the family is the transmitter of values, the safeguard of children, and a virtual "school" of love. The parental, conjugal, and filial love relationships within the family provide a model for every other relationship that an individual will enter during the course of life.

Research has shown that the dissolution of the family is linked to a spectrum of societal ills, ranging from material poverty to increased rates of out-of-wedlock births, school drop-outs, and crime. Making matters worse, studies have shown that children from broken families or dysfunctional homes are, themselves, less likely to enter into stable marital relationships.

Today, American families are under duress as never before. Every year, one million children experience the tragedy of divorce in their families. One out of three children is born out of wedlock, and in some sectors of society rates of out-of-wedlock births are as high as 70 percent.

The American Family Coalition (AFC), created on the foundation of the American Leadership Conferences convened in al 50 states by the Washington Times Foundation with over 25,000 legislators, civil society leaders, and family advocates, is meeting this challenge. Each year, AFC provides a broad range of initiatives and forums to address the cultural elements that undermine the nation's families; uplift the fundamental principles that provide a foundation for a solid family structure; and link a nationwide network of like-minded individuals and organizations that are committed to this task.

The crisis of the family is not limited to America and the essential longing of children for parental love knows no bound of race, ethnicity or religion. Just as America serves in a leadership role in arenas of technology and economics, as its families are renewed and revitalized, it can, serve as a model for other countries that are struggling with the common challenge of family dissolution.

The American Family Coalition invites you to join in a unified effort to respond to the number one challenge of our times.

James P. Flynn President
[email protected]