March 20, 2017
The Honorable Rex Tillerson
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC 20521
Dear Mr. Secretary:
On behalf of the International Organization for the Family (IOF, sponsor of the World Congress of Families), I am writing to express our support for, and respond to the clamorous criticism of, the appointments of two public sector delegates to the 61st session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, namely, Lisa Correnti of the Center for Family & Human Rights (C-Fam), and Grace Melton of The Heritage Foundation.
The objection to representatives of these two outstanding organizations participating in the delegation comes down to the wholly unjustified and grossly insulting mischaracterization of them as “hateful” by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). Let’s be clear about the SPLC: this once venerable organization has itself become an anti-Christian hate group which designates as “hate” those who hold a traditional view of sexual morality rooted in Judeo-Christian principles, as well as in common sense. It’s unfortunate that the SPLC, and most of those on the left like the grossly misnamed Human Rights Campaign, fail to engage opponents in civil discourse on the issues, and instead result to pejoratives such as “hate group,” something they rely on heavily for their fundraising. But it is not hateful to express a traditional, biblical view of morality, a view that has existed as the majority opinion throughout recorded history, and which still exists to this day.
Both C-Fam and Heritage stand for the principle that the natural family is an immensely important, foundational element of society, an eternal truth that has been experienced and lived in every culture in every age. This eternal truth about the family was elaborated by the U.S. representative to the U.N. General Assembly at the 10th anniversary of the International Year of the Family:
“Throughout the ages, political philosophers, social historians, and civic and religious leaders have praised the family as the foundation of the social order, the bedrock of nations, and the bastion of civilization…. The fact is that family is a universal and irreplaceable community, rooted in human nature and the basis for all societies at all times. As the cradle of life and love for each new generation, the family is the primary source of personal identity, self-esteem, and support for children. It is also the first and foremost school of life, uniquely suited to teach children integrity, character, morals, responsibility, service, and wisdom…. The state’s foremost obligation… is to respect, defend, and protect the family as an institution.”
In recent decades, we’ve also experienced the consequences to society when family break down has occurred – men and women suffer, children are harmed and society as a whole is damaged.
We applaud the wisdom of the Trump Administration in placing Lisa Correnti and Grace Melton as public sector delegates on the U.S. delegation to CSW61in furtherance of the dignity and rights of all, including the family as our natural and fundamental foundation. They represent outstanding, mainstream organizations who will contribute a much-needed perspective to the delegation’s work. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Brian S. Brown
President
cc: The Honorable Nikki Haley
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
United States Mission to the United Nations
799 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
