Covenant-marriage author to lead conservative group

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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.