The World Congress of Families announced yesterday that Utah Governor Gary Herbert will address its ninth congress,which is scheduled to beheld from October 27 to 30 in Salt Lake City. The historic occasion celebrates not only the 20th anniversary of the World Congress of Families, but the first time in its history that a congress is being held in the United States.
“Building on a rich legacy of providing the best research and practices in support of life and the natural family, this year’s World Congress of Families IX will be a gathering of foremost experts—scholars, government leaders, clergy, and other advocates of the family,” said Dr. Janice Shaw Crouse, executive director of WCF IX. “With Utah’s record of excellence in so many measurements of family well-being, it is very appropriate to have the governor provide a welcome to Utah for the WCF participants. In addition, Utah’s first lady, Mrs. Jeanette Herbert, who heads a statewide task force on the family, will welcome participants.”
“I cannot think of another leader as prominent as Governor Herbert who has been more supportive of the family, as well as the welfare and future of our children,” Dr. Crouse said.
“Being a husband and father is the most important job I have ever had,” said Gov. Herbert. “Strong families are vital to strong societies. The value of a loving family cannot be understated.”
From his work to make the Utah economy one of the strongest in the nation to placing cutting-edge technology into K-12 education, Gov. Herbert has focused on improving the foundation and opportunities for families.
“He is an advocate for life,” said Crouse. “His policies support parents supporting children in all dimensions, and that is what we are going to highlight in this congress—everything from health care and financial management to human trafficking and overcoming addictions and other behaviors that weaken marital and parent-child relationships.”
In another first, Utah’s Attorney General Sean Reyes will also speak at the conference, which will be held at The Grand America Hotel—the only time both a governor and attorney general have participated in a congress.
“Attorney General Reyes has spearheaded an innovative program to protect Utah children and families from abuse,” said Crouse. “Likewise, he is the only sitting attorney general I know of who has personally participated in a secret rescue mission to save young women from human trafficking. The experience and policy prescriptions from the governor and attorney general will be welcome, as will their personal experiences with parenting, as both are fathers of six children, respectively!”
The World Congress of Families is the premier global gathering of parents, youth, lawmakers, scholars, religious leaders, and advocates united to support the natural family.
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