East Baton Rouge Parish Legislators Receive Awards for Pro-Family Stand

Louisiana Family Forum honored more than two dozen state senators and representatives at its annual dinner last Thursday at the Healing Place church on Highland Road.

Legislators were cited for their outstanding pro-family voting records. LFF President Gene Mills said the recently concluded session of the Louisiana Legislature provided hope and encouragement for pro-family forces in the state.

The highlight of the event was the announcement that Gov. Bobby Jindal was the recipient of the 2013 Louisiana Gladiator Award, the organization’s highest honor.  Mills said Jindal has taken a consistently pro-family stand on issues.  Mills said Jindal faced a particularly difficult decision on whether to veto the surrogacy bill, which had passed the legislature.  But, once again, Mills said, Jindal stood strong for family values.

Former Rep. Tony Perkins, who is now president of the Family Research Council in Washington, told the more than 700 attendees at the dinner that Washington has become very divisive and that the real battles are being fought within the Republican Party that will determine the future direction of the nation.

Special recognition was given to Sen. Sharon Weston Broome and Rep. Valarie Hodges for having authored anti-sex-trafficking legislation.  Another special award was given to Sen. Neil Riser for having authored a constitutional amendment supporting the right to keep and bear arms.